Cracking Down on Cyber Crimes: What is a Cybersecurity Strategy?

We live in an increasingly digital and online-only world. So much of our work, play, and other aspects of our lives are online. While this offers a lot of convenience, there is also a dark side to an increasingly online world. That dark side is cyber crimes.  

Cybercriminals lurk online, ready to pounce at a moment's notice. They want your credit card information and your sensitive data, and they're not afraid to hack the websites of the products and services you use to get them. That's why organizations should have firm cybersecurity strategies.  

A cybersecurity strategy is a plan of action designed to maximize your organization's security and resilience. It uses a top-down approach to establish a set of objectives and protocols to help keep you safe. This article will provide an overview of cybersecurity strategy—what it is, why it's important, and how to develop one.

Build a Robust ICT and Cybersecurity Team

Any mid to large-sized organization should first build up a robust ICT and cybersecurity team with qualified professionals who have completed the requisite courses in IT or an online cybersecurity masters. What do these people do, you ask? Well, a Cybersecurity Analyst is a dedicated role that works to protect the business's computer networks from vicious and malicious cyberattacks and prevents any unauthorized access from hackers. They do this in a few ways, but mainly by anticipating and predicting how cyberattacks may occur and defending against possible hostile scenarios. In addition, these professionals also respond to and manage security breaches when they occur.

Furthermore, cybersecurity professionals play a crucial role in protecting their employer's data and the sensitive data of customers or clients. They protect all types of software, hardware, and networks (both LAN and cloud) from cyber theft, data breaches, or access from unauthorized parties such as hackers. Large organizations may employ whole teams of Cybersecurity Analysts, whereas mid to smaller businesses might employ one or two roles instead.

What is a Cybersecurity Strategy?

A cybersecurity strategy is the term given for a comprehensive approach that organizations can implement to protect their digital assets, their software systems, and sensitive customer/client data from cyber threats. A cybersecurity strategy should encompass a few different forms. It should include a wide suite of organizational policies, technology investment, and cyber best practices designed to prevent, detect, and respond to adverse cyber incidents. A well-structured cybersecurity strategy will address various aspects of cybersecurity, including cyber risk management, threat intelligence, incident response, and regulatory compliance.

Why is it Important?

A cybersecurity strategy is essential to protecting an organization against nefarious cyber actors who seek to profit from their activities or simply wreak havoc on a company's networks. You've likely seen or read news reports about major cyberattacks, ransomware, or data breaches. A robust cybersecurity strategy aims to prevent such attacks. 

Cyber Risk Management 

Risk management is a core fundamental component of any robust cybersecurity strategy. This part of the strategy involves the identification, assessment, and mitigation of potential cybersecurity threats. Cybersecurity analysts should prioritize conducting regular risk assessments to evaluate vulnerabilities within their systems and networks. By understanding potential risks that exist, the analysts can then implement the appropriate security controls and allocate resources effectively to minimize exposure. This proactive approach helps in prioritizing cybersecurity efforts.

Threat Intelligence Insights

This part of cybersecurity plays a crucial role in any robust cybersecurity strategy by providing analysts with crucial insights into emerging cyber threats and novel attack techniques. Organizations can work with their cybersecurity staff to gather and analyze intelligence data from various sources, including cyber industry reports, government agency information, and cybersecurity firm news and updates. Advanced threat intelligence tools that organizations might use utilize artificial intelligence and machine learning to help them detect patterns in cybercriminal activities, enhancing the organization’s ability to respond swiftly to threats and prevent data breaches and hacks.

Cyber Incident Responses 

Cyber incident response planning is a key aspect of any solid cybersecurity strategy, ensuring that the organization can effectively handle any security breaches that may occur. A robust incident response plan will outline policies and procedures for identifying, containing, mitigating, and recovering from cyber incidents, such as ransomware or other malicious software that might infiltrate a system. 

Regulatory Compliance

Regulatory compliance is another important consideration in organizational cybersecurity strategies, as companies must adhere to specific legal and industry-specific security requirements, depending on their country. Governments and regulatory bodies in the U.S. enforce federal data protection laws, such as the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), to ensure that certain organizations do their utmost to safeguard sensitive data.

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