Operationalizing Security: The Key to Cybersecurity Success

Enhance effectiveness with a cybersecurity operating model focusing on sharing responsibility across the organization and leadership upskilling among CISOs.

Cybersecurity is an ever-evolving arena of innovation. On one side, cybercriminals constantly seek to breach their targets’ defenses by devising new and more inventive ways to do so. Meanwhile, the security industry works tirelessly to find cutting-edge methods to detect and thwart these attacks.

Companies still fall prey to malicious attacks even with the most advanced technologies and services. More than simply simply simply having the right technology is required to ensure the security of a business.

A decentralized approach to security is required to achieve this, one that ensures all stakeholders, executives, and employees, not just the CISO and security team, understand and take ownership of cyber risk. This shift in mindset demands a fundamental change in how organizations view and implement cybersecurity.

So, how can businesses make this transformation? Here are five ways to begin this journey toward a more comprehensive and practical approach to cybersecurity.

1. Measure Security Effectiveness

Companies need to ensure that their investments in security are having an impact and are effective against potential cyber-attacks. By measuring security effectiveness, organizations can identify vulnerabilities, monitor the performance of their security stack, and make necessary refinements to improve their security posture.

For example, a large financial institution may conduct regular security audits identifying areas where the organization’s security controls are weak or ineffective. Recommendations to improve their security posture are made based on the results. Additionally, the organization may conduct regular red teaming exercises to simulate cyber-attacks and test their incident response plan.

2. Shift Mindset

In today’s hyper-connected world, cybersecurity is no longer the sole responsibility of the IT department. Cybersecurity should be the entire organization’s responsibility, and it demands a shift in mindset throughout the enterprise, particularly at the top. Non-technical stakeholders need to understand cyber risk, and the CISOs need to recognize how security fits into the rest of the enterprise.

For example, a healthcare organization may establish a security culture by implementing regular security training and awareness programs for employees. This initiative can help employees understand the risks associated with cyber threats and how to protect sensitive patient data. Additionally, the CISO may work with other departments, such as legal and compliance, to integrate security into the organization’s overall risk management strategy. By shifting the mindset throughout the organization, cybersecurity can become a shared responsibility, and the organization can improve its overall security posture.

3. Develop Skills and Build Strategies

By building a simplified approach that non-technical stakeholders can understand, CISOs can ensure a better alignment of cybersecurity with overall business strategy. According to a report by McKinsey & Company, CISOs who focus on developing strategic skills and promoting collaboration within the organization tend to have more successful security programs. Aligning security objectives with the overall business strategy is the formula for getting the needed support and resources.

For example, Microsoft’s CISO, Bret Arsenault, emphasizes the importance of working with other business leaders to embed cybersecurity into the company’s operations. Arsenault focuses on developing a collaborative approach to security, where everyone in the organization takes ownership of cyber risk. This approach has helped Microsoft maintain a strong security posture and protect its customers’ data from cyber threats.

4. Pursue Outcomes

There needs to be more than a tick-box approach to security. It is crucial to measure the outcomes and actively enable business success. CISOs must identify the right key performance indicators (KPIs) that align with the business goals and measure the effectiveness of security initiatives. For instance, KPIs such as reducing the mean time to detect and respond to cyber incidents can help draw a direct line between security targets and the wider organization’s business goals. Pursuing outcomes also means integrating security into the organization’s overall risk management strategy, which can help ensure a more holistic approach to risk management.

Gartner’s report states, “Security and risk management leaders must focus on security outcomes rather than security inputs, as security remains an enabler of digital business.” One example of a company successfully pursuing security outcomes is Mastercard, which has implemented a security-by-design approach to its technology development process. This strategy means that security is integrated into the design of their products and services from the beginning, ensuring that security outcomes are prioritized and achieved. As a result, Mastercard has been able to maintain a strong reputation for security and reliability in the financial industry.

5. Implement a Decentralized Approach

Cyber risk is no longer solely the responsibility of the CISO and the security team. A decentralized approach ensures all stakeholders, executives, and employees understand and take ownership of cyber risk.

A report by Gartner emphasizes the importance of a decentralized approach to cybersecurity, stating that “the organizational structure and culture must also support a decentralized approach that involves all business units and individuals.” It means integrating cybersecurity into the entire organization’s culture and not just the responsibility of a single team.

A cautionary business case is Capital One, which has learned to share accountability for the organization’s security. Every employee is responsible for identifying and reporting security issues after a major data breach in 2019.

Drive Cybersecurity Effectiveness Through Cooperation

It’s crucial for businesses to have well-defined metrics to evaluate their security processes and shared accountability to drive cybersecurity effectiveness. However, achieving optimal cybersecurity can only be challenging with expert guidance. That’s why partnering with UDT’s cybersecurity experts is crucial to operationalize your security stack. With our help, your business can fully utilize innovative technology, save costs, and achieve optimal ROI, ultimately making cybersecurity a catalyst for success.

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