5 tips for implementing a cybersecurity plan in your organization

The COVID-19 pandemic is touted to be the ‘great accelerator’ of digital transformation, with almost every industry leveraging technology to tackle the crisis. The ubiquity of technology and the rapid growth of internet connectivity, along with the development of new technologies that allow for anonymity, have resulted in an exponential increase in cybercrimes – organizations becoming preys owing to their reliance on digital tools for business in these uncertain times.

Cyberattacks do not discriminate against any sector or industry. COVID-19 related cybercrimes, including malicious activity targeting many medical and research centers, may be detrimental for global corporations to tackle such crimes in the future. Cybercriminals do not discriminate how big or small their target is. They look for vulnerabilities that can easily be exploited, taking advantage of the gaps in the security system to steal valuable data. For businesses, the mentality of ‘we are too small to get noticed’ can be catastrophic, especially when these attacks are anonymous - anonymity making cybercrime a low-risk, high reward venture.

In these days of remote working, protecting employees' and client data has become a vitality. The efficient management of cyber threats will have a lasting impact on everything from operations to reputation. In the present context of the pandemic, the approach to tech. policies have become more complex than ever. There is a pressing need for organizations to adopt a more thorough and all-embracing approach to cybersecurity. Here are five cybersecurity tips that can benefit any organization:

Assess the current plans

It is important to assess the existing cybersecurity plans and gaps to determine the reason(s) why the organization is planning to drop the existing strategies. Use documents such as risk registers, timeliness, or any such documents that help set milestones for progress and accurate records that can help the organization evaluate the current security strategy.  

Monitor networks

It is important to stay vigilant and identify those components that are functioning ineffectively, with the possibilities of compromising the entire system. Effective network management and network monitoring can help avert such a situation, generating regular reports on the performance of all devices connected to the network. Strong antivirus software coupled with other detection systems can help monitor the network more effectively and trigger alerts on any malicious activity with the potential to breach the network. 

Network with industry peers

The cybersecurity landscape in the country is still at its nascent stage and industry peers are probably encountering similar challenges. Regular conversations with peers can help build a community through which organizations can share knowledge and assist in solving cyber threats.

Document cybersecurity procedures and policies 

Documenting cybersecurity procedures and policies will provide relevant direction and value to individuals in an organization. The policy needs to include what is required from an organization's employees from a security perspective, such as risk appetite, control framework, and internal threats.

A collective culture of security

The security of any organization is the responsibility of every employee. CIOs need to inculcate such a culture in their organizations.  Human error and negligence are the most common reasons that lead to data breaches and cyber threats. Employees need to be sensitized on how their actions and carelessness can greatly impact cybersecurity and result in losses of huge proportions. Organizations should encourage and deploy regular training, relevant sessions, and seminars, along with periodic email updates and reminders educating employees about cybersecurity.  

According to a report from the Indian Government, cybersecurity incidents jumped from 3,94,499 in 2019 to 11,58,208 in the year 2020, a fourfold jump from 2018 growing at an alarming rate of 194%.  2020 is being spoken as the year of “Cyber Pandemic”. While technology may have transformed our way of work for the better, the magnitude of data breaches and sophisticated cyberattacks is alarming. These cyber-attacks are predicted to only increase as we continue a remote work culture, being far more advanced and complex. 

There is a pressing need to be much more prepared to face cyber threats and emerge unscathed.  It is time for CISOs to redraw their security landscapes that cover uncertain futures too. These new measures need to be agile and adaptive to changes and disruptions alike. Not to forget the ever-advancing and newer technologies, one needs to also draw plans that are accommodative of these new elements. Organizations need to educate employees on the seriousness of the issue and create a long-term action plan to better manage their cybersecurity.