Introduction
Cybersecurity threats are becoming more sophisticated and widespread every day. If your company doesn't have an IT security strategy in place, you're at risk of a data breach that could jeopardize stakeholders‘ sensitive data. Fortunately, there's a way to protect your business without breaking the bank - by creating an IT security strategy roadmap.
In this blog post, we'll discuss the business case for creating an IT security roadmap and outline the steps you need to take to get started. We'll also provide tips for keeping your data safe from cyber criminals. So read on to learn more about the importance of cybersecurity to businesses and how to safeguard your company's confidential information.
What is Cyber security strategy?
A cybersecurity strategy is a plan of action that businesses use to protect their data and systems from cyber-attacks. This strategy outlines the steps that a business needs to take to identify, prevent, and respond to vulnerabilities.
What is the difference between an IT security strategy and an information security strategy?
An information security strategy focuses on the protection of data, while an IT security strategy plan covers the entire spectrum of cybersecurity, including the prevention, detection, and response to threats.
The current state of cybersecurity
There's no denying that cybersecurity is a hot topic. In the past year alone, we've seen a number of high-profile data breaches that have left companies and consumers alike scrambling to protect their information.
According to a recent report from IBM, the average cost of a data breach in 2021 was now $4.37 million. This is a significant increase from the $3.86 million average costs in 2020. And, as the report notes, this number is only expected to rise in the coming years.
Unfortunately, many companies are still lagging behind when it comes to cybersecurity and incident response. According to a recent survey from Statista, only 38% of businesses feel very prepared to deal with a cybersecurity incident. These metrics are worrying, especially when you consider the increasing costs of data breaches.
Businesses are struggling to keep up with cybersecurity attacks. One of the biggest challenges is the ever-changing nature of the lifecycle of cyber threats. As soon as businesses put up defenses against one type of attack, another comes along to take its place.
The importance of an IT security strategy roadmap
Having an IT security strategy is no longer optional - it's an essential business strategy. A comprehensive information security program plan helps businesses protect their data, minimize the impact of a breach, and recover quickly if an attack does occur.
In fact, a study by the Ponemon Institute found that companies with a formal security strategy are 1.6 times less likely to experience a data breach than those without security controls such as a firewall.
How to create an IT security strategy roadmap
Now that we've established the importance of an IT security strategy, creating an IT security strategy example is the next thing. Here is how you can create one:
Assess your company's current security posture and identify gaps
The first step is to assess your company's current security posture and identify any security issues. This self-assessment can be guided by NIST 800-53 Security and Privacy Controls for Information Systems and Organizations, which will help you to understand the potential risks your business faces and the likelihood of them occurring.
Develop a plan to address any deficiencies
Once you've identified the risks, you can then start to put together a baseline plan to mitigate them. This will involve setting cybersecurity goals and business objectives, as well as putting in place the necessary security policies to reduce risks.
Implement the plan and track results
It is important to remember that your cybersecurity strategic goals are not a one-time exercise. Once you've developed your plan, you need to implement it and then track the results to ensure that it is effective.
This may require patching and adjustments along the way. But by tracking your progress, your security team can ensure that your cybersecurity roadmap is keeping your business processes safe from cyber threats.
Adjust as needed based on changes in your environment or risk profile
Once you have a plan in place, it's important to regularly review and update it in real-time. This is because the cybersecurity landscape is constantly changing, and what works today may not be effective tomorrow. By regularly reviewing and updating your security plan, you can ensure that your business is always ahead of the curve.
Benefits of having an IT security strategy roadmap in place
One of the benefits of having an IT security roadmap is that it gives you a clear cybersecurity framework to follow in the event of a data breach. By having a strategic plan in place, you can quickly and easily identify the steps you need to take to mitigate the damage caused by a breach.
Additionally, an up-to-date security management plan can help you to quickly recover from an attack and get your business back up and running as soon as possible.
Another benefit of having an IT security strategy is that it can help you to avoid a data breach in the first place. By identifying the risks your business faces and putting in place the necessary security capabilities, you can greatly reduce the chances of a ransomware attack and phishing occurring.
Key considerations when creating an IT security strategy roadmap
There are a few key considerations you need to bear in mind when creating an IT security strategy roadmap. Firstly, it's important to ensure that your strategic roadmap is tailored to your specific business goals.
There's no one-size-fits-all approach to security awareness, so it's important to tailor your risk management to the specific cybersecurity risks and threats that your business faces.
Secondly, you need to make sure that your roadmap is achievable and realistic. A good roadmap will set out a clear plan of action that can be realistically achieved within the time frame that you have set.
Thirdly, you need to ensure that your roadmap is flexible and responsive to change. The cybersecurity landscape is constantly evolving, so it's important to make sure that your strategy is able to adapt to the changing security risks.
Finally, you need to make sure that your roadmap is properly communicated and understood by all members of your team, especially CIO, CISO, and all information security officers. A good cybersecurity program will ensure that everyone knows what needs to be done in the event of a data breach.
Need help getting started?
While it’s important to have a general understanding of the types of threats your business may face, it’s also essential to tailor your security strategy roadmap specific to your organization. That’s where we come in.
Our team of experts can help you build out a comprehensive security plan that takes into account the unique needs and challenges of your business. We understand the importance of having a reliable IT security strategy template in place, and we’re here to help you make sure your business is protected from every angle.
If you need help getting started, don’t hesitate to reach out. We would be happy to provide you with more information about our services and how we can help you keep your data, infrastructure, clients, and personnel safe.
