Developing and implementing a cybersecurity strategy as a Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) means managing several key responsibilities: This blog looks at Proactive vs. Reactive approaches:
Defining Goals
The first step in creating a cybersecurity strategy is to define clear and measurable cybersecurity goals that align with the organization’s overall business objectives.
The main objective of developing and implementing a cybersecurity strategy is to ensure your organization and its assets are better secured.
The outcome of poor security involves data theft, malicious damage to operational systems and a high potential for reputational damage which may affect customer faith in the company resulting in reduced revenues.
Proactive vs. Reactive
Many companies are operating their cybersecurity in a reactive manner where they are reacting to cyber attacks after the fact. These are usually band-aids and quick-fixes for damage assessment, stopping the bleeding (data loss) and recovering the operations so the organization can keep running. For example, firewall protection is reactive, but sometimes it also acts proactively because it can be setup to block unwanted(risky) traffic.
In a proactive approach the CISO starts by identifying vulnerabilities and even potential attacks early on, and preparing the organization and its assets for the worst-case scenarios ahead of time. With proactive cybersecurity strategy in place, you’re able to take action rapidly and decisively during a cyber incident, limiting the damage more effectively and recovering faster.
Benjamin Franklin famously advised fire-threatened Philadelphians in 1736 that “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.”
The CISO must do an analysis of all current processes and shift into a proactive security mode, where the organization is ready for preventing cyber attacks and incidents in addition to being responsive if the worst happens. For instance, incorporating a security operations center that monitors the organization (using human as well as automated tools) would be proactive.
Examples of proactive cybersecurity measures include:
- Identifying and patching vulnerabilities in the network infrastructure,
- Running frequent penetration tests
- Regularly evaluating the strength of your security posture.
- Data encryption for at rest, in transit and
- Implementing powerful access management policies and controls (e.g. password policy managers or privileged access management)
- Training end users about phishing using advanced products like KnowBe4
A proactive cyber security strategy, including measures like data encryption, access controls, and employee awareness training has a focus on prevention.
Practive approaches are very important in safeguarding assets and maintaining a strong competitive edge.
While proactive measures help to actively prevent breaches, reactive measures go into operation when a breach strikes.
If you only have reactive measures you are asking for bigger damage, slower recovery, hurt reputation and hits to business revenue.
