Cybersecurity attacks inexorably are moving from risk to certainty, as cybercriminals continue to escalate and innovate their attacks. Consider these facts from researchers at the Identity Defined Security Alliance (IDSA):
- 9 in 10 organizations experienced at least one breach within the last year.
- 7 in 10 organizations suffered direct business impact from an incursion.
These impacts presumably were negative, such as:
- Operational disruptions
- Revenue losses
- Damages to reputation
How can leaders of small to medium-sized businesses insulate their organizations from continually diversifying cybersecurity threats? In short, by leading these three initiatives:
- Champion Policy – Lead as the driver behind four foundational policies that cover the cybersecurity spectrum from diligent preemption to best practices: Acceptable Use (of company devices), Password Protection, Breach Response and Disaster Recovery.
- Advocate for Education – Multiple studies confirm that more than 80% of breaches involve some form of human error, such as weak password practices or a lack of awareness of prevalent social engineering techniques. Lead by provisioning funding for cybersecurity education campaigns and being an avid participant in those programs.
- Invest in Expertise – While cultivating a cybersecure business culture within an organization is crucial, technical expertise is critical, too. Lead by expanding cybersecurity acumen beyond the boundaries of your company by engaging a premier IT Managed Services Provider (MSP.)
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