Corporate Cybersecurity: Top 3 Behavioral Observations
When it comes to cybersecurity, where is your organization more mature? Cybersecurity is much like a coin with two distinct sides. On one side, you have technical measures and cutting-edge technologies that keep systems secure. Flip it over, and you’ll find the essential aspects of governance, risk management and compliance that ensure we navigate the complex landscape of cybersecurity with confidence. The two sides must be balanced to take full advantage of this precious coin.
Neurosoft experts were curious: Where do you think your organization stands stronger? In technical implementation or governance? In a recent poll we launched on LinkedIn, 14% of respondents feel confident in their technical implementation, while another 14% believe they excel in governance and compliance, such as policies and procedures. Additionally, 29% of respondents indicated that they need improvement in both areas. Interestingly, the majority (43%) of people in the industry view their organization’s cybersecurity as balanced between governance and technical implementation.
From our viewpoint, here are the top three observations on corporate behavior toward cybersecurity:
- Intentions vs Reality
In the dynamic world of cybersecurity, a common challenge arises from the disconnect between organizational policies and real-world practices. Many organizations formulate policies, measures and procedures with the best intentions, yet a significant gap often exists between what’s documented and what actually occurs in practice. While numerous organizations aspire to enhance their cybersecurity posture, whether through technical implementations or by strengthening governance and compliance, many find themselves stalled, with ambitious plans ultimately leading to inaction. Policies may be drafted, but without the commitment to implement or periodically update them, they risk becoming outdated. Consequently, critical cybersecurity measures go unaddressed, leaving vulnerabilities exposed. This situation highlights the importance of not only creating policies but also ensuring they are actively implemented and regularly reviewed.
- Incomplete technical implementations
Many of the implementations we observe often fall short of being fully complete. Frequently, companies adopt partial measures when it comes to both Technical Implementation and Governance & Compliance. Moreover, they tend to configure their security solutions partly, leaving essential security features either missing or incomplete. Take, for instance, the common scenario where organizations start implementing solutions but fail to see them through to completion. They dive into the process, make some initial changes, but then neglect to follow up and diagnose what still needs fixing. It’s like checking off items on a to-do list without ensuring that those tasks are genuinely effective. A prime example of this is penetration testing. Many organizations recognize the value of testing their defenses, but they often fall short by not conducting these tests on a regular basis. Even when they do schedule a pen test, they may discover cybersecurity vulnerabilities, yet they don’t take the necessary steps to address these gaps afterward. Similarly, when it comes to the implementation of Data Loss Prevention (DLP) systems, organizations often believe that simply putting the technology in place equates to being secure. Unfortunately, this misconception overlooks the critical checks and assessments that should accompany such deployments. Just because a tool is deployed doesn’t mean the organization is truly safe. To make things short, a proactive and holistic approach is essential for true cybersecurity. It’s not enough to just start implementing measures; the entire process needs to be embraced and completed to ensure lasting protection.
- “Security is just a cost center.”
Many businesses underestimate the importance of cybersecurity, viewing it as just an imposed expense rather than a vital investment. There’s a common mindset that says, “As long as business is running smoothly, there’s no issue.” However, this attitude can leave organizations vulnerable to serious threats that can jeopardize security, disrupt operations and damage reputations. This approach also reveals a deeper issue: the lack of organizational maturity. It’s not solely about whether the systems are in place; it’s about fostering a culture that values proactive security measures. Unfortunately, it often takes a significant incident to shake things up and bring the importance of robust cybersecurity into sharp focus.
Cybersecurity Technology Advisory Services: Don’t wait for the wake-up call
Neurosoft has assembled a dedicated team ready to assist organizations in identifying their weak security points and building a roadmap for practically mitigating them. Our Cybersecurity Technology Advisory team can help you detect and address both architectural design and actual implementation issues related to your secure presence in cyberspace.
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