How to Build Cyber Resilience in 2022
Most firms, regardless of size or industry, have been or will be exposed to cybersecurity issues.
Events in 2020 and 2021 drastically changed how we view cyber security and what businesses of all sizes must do to protect themselves. While many large firms are aware of the risks to sensitive data and have a protection plan in place, small businesses are at high risk because many lack crucial security tools and protections.
Even if a company has a plan to prevent cyber attacks, many firms do not have a disaster recovery plan in place- this is why cyber resilience matters.
Though you may have a plan in place, you cannot 100% guarantee that an attack will not succeed; you need a concrete plan of how you will recover if someone gets through your defenses.
What is Cyber Resilience?
The US Department of Commerce’s National Institute of Standards and Technology defines cyber resiliency as the ability to anticipate, withstand, recover from, and adapt to adverse conditions, stresses, attacks, or compromises on systems that use or are enabled by cyber resources.
What does it mean for your business to be cyber resilient? It means your organization is able to operate smoothly, even while facing persistent and increasingly sophisticated cyber attacks.
3 Steps to Build Cyber Resilience for Your Business
1 – Defend
Create a plan to defend against cyber attacks.
Why
As cyber attacks become more widespread and common, it is necessary for businesses of all kinds to invest in cyber security to ensure one simple attack does not take down your entire operation.
How
The first step to improving your business’s cyber resilience is to ensure that unauthorized users cannot access your data and systems. Your cyber security strategy needs to cover your entire organization, across applications and systems to protect all data.
To build a robust and all-encompassing cyber security strategy, you need to review your setup to determine weaknesses and vulnerabilities in your system. Doing so will ensure you are protecting important data, including Personal Identifiable Information and Protected Health Information.
The best way to determine your security posture is to have a risk assessment performed. When done properly, a risk assessment will identify data, technologies, and procedures that need to be addressed, as well as give you an accurate picture of your risk.
2 – Detect
Develop a system to detect, report, and defend against attacks.
Why
To have a responsive, effective cyber security plan, you need the ability to detect and respond to attacks in real-time. As attacks become more sophisticated and wide-spread, it will be necessary for all businesses to commit to detecting and preventing cyber attacks to protect both employee and client data.
How
To detect attacks and prevent hackers from getting through, you have to understand the different sources of cyber attacks and how each uniquely targets vulnerabilities of your business and employees. From mysterious looking emails, to unusual password activity, to a network running slower than usual, there are many signs a hacker has gotten in. Something as simple as keeping your software updated can help to prevent attacks and reduce the chance of a security breach.
Automating threat detection helps businesses of all sizes properly respond to attacks in a timely manner, so you have a plan to protect data as soon as it is breached. This means responding to attacks faster than they can progress, and predicting where an attack may go once it gets through. Trusted IT security providers can optimize this detection system with tools to detect and respond to attacks in real time.
3 – Develop
Don’t just set it and forget it, you must evolve.
Why
As you become better at protecting your data, hackers will get better at getting past your defenses. You must be able to stay ahead of threats as hackers find new ways to masquerade as trusted sources and exploit vulnerabilities.
How
Adaptation and evolution must be part of your long-term cyber security strategy. This requires inspecting and reinspecting your current system to consider all possibilities for attacks. Evolving your strategy should also include your plan for recovery after and attack and how to minimize the interruption to your business from various types of attacks.
If you struggle to address certain vulnerabilities in your system, or find you are often victim to the same type of attack, you may benefit from consulting with an IT security specialist to identify where you need additional protection.
Not all IT service providers are made equal, and some may actually put you at greater risk than if you were to implement cyber security systems yourself. Make sure you are empowered for success by working with the right IT services team.
Since 1997, Rose Computer Technology Services has empowered businesses of all sizes to put security first and protect against cyber attacks at all times. To learn more about what Rose CTS can do for your business, contact us today.