If it were up to us, systems and servers would run 24/7 without any problems or interruptions. But that would have to be a perfect world, and we are not living in one. It is therefore important for an organization to have a resilience strategy that will help it bounce back into operations in the event of adversity.
Today, nearly all business operations rely on cyberspace in one way or the other. Cybersecurity, therefore, becomes one of the prospective adversities for the cyber-active entities.
Let’s delve deeper into cyber resilience, its importance and how you can build a strong one.
Difference Between Cybersecurity And Cyber Resilience
Cyber security service aims at putting up tools like VPNs, installing software patches and firewalls to protect an organization’s devices and network from cyber-attacks. Cyber resilience, on the other hand, focuses on the most appropriate measures to take should the cybersecurity measures fail to function as expected.
Why Is Cyber Resilience Important?
Cyber resilience is what helps a business that relies on technology to resume its operations by mitigating the accrued damages if its data and systems suffer compromise or disruption.
A strong cyber resilience system also helps in protecting the integrity of an institution. When a company can monitor and reverse the harm caused by cybercriminals, it saves its reputation from public criticism. A bad reputation can result in losses and a decline in revenue.
A good cyber resilience system also motivates the employees to strive for data protection; they become more cautious.
Types of risks faced by companies
Phishing
This is where attackers try to scam a business’ network to gain access by luring their target. They use malicious links and downloads tailored to appear like they are from a legit source.
Malware Attacks
This is an attack through malicious software; an unwanted program whose purpose is to carry out malicious activities such as data harvesting without your knowledge or consent.
Ransomware
This is an attack that encrypts and locks a system making it unusable by the victim until he/she pays a certain amount of money, mostly in cryptocurrencies.
Insider Threats
Handlers of critical data in a company can leave your company vulnerable either by accident, carelessness or due to outright malice and greed.
3 Helpful Tools And Strategies For Cybersecurity
Encryption Tools
Consider investing in encryption tools, such as VPNs and cloud-based encryption software, to secure your company’s incoming and outgoing traffic, as well as databases. A VPN app encrypts your traffic and protects all your online traffic from hackers who might be finding ways to infiltrate your network.
Staff Training
Take your staff through some rigorous training that builds on security awareness within the company. Doing so will help build a sense of responsibility within them and enable them to identify threats on company data before it escalates.
Risk Management Tools
You can invest in risk management tools to secure your company’s network from outside attacks. Some of the dependable security tools include email security scanners to protect against phishing attacks, and vulnerability scanners to tell your company’s security posture.
Ways To Build a Strong Cyber Resilience Program
Here are ways in which a company can build its toughness to enable it to continue delivering irrespective of the occurrence of cyber adversities.
Regular Backups
Have separate soft and hard copies of all critical data relating to your company. These backups should be on a separate network to allow ease of retrieval in the event of an attack. Make sure you update the backups at least once per week.
Implement Backup Solutions
If implemented, the backup solutions enable you to continue delivering seamlessly in the event of an attack or downtime.
Implementing the backup will enable your employees to continue accessing the work tools needed allowing continuity.
Simulate a Security Incident
To get an actual picture of your company’s preparedness, simulate a security incident once or twice per year. This will help you know if your team is prepared for a cyber-attack or breach.
Analyse your team’s ability in containing the impact of the attack, identifying the cause and mitigating it so that the business can return to normalcy.
Final Thoughts
Cybersecurity is important, but cyber resilience will enable your business to withstand an attack or security breach. Perform periodic checks on the resilience program to see the current position of your company in matters of cybersecurity.
As is the case with many systems built on technology, what worked last year might not be effective today. Regular checks will help you achieve an upright security position characterized by defence and resilience mechanisms that are up to date.