The Lost Art of Creating an Effective IT Security Strategy
When was the last time you checked over your IT security strategy? Maybe you think it wasn’t that long ago, but chances are it was. Time speeds up in the world of cybercrime, and what is recent for you probably isn’t for the hackers who specialize in stealing data.
That’s not all; there are some high-profile cases of ransomware being installed in company IT systems and extorting millions of dollars from clients and employees. For example, Conti Ransomware is well known for doing just that. So don’t take any risks with your IT security strategy or neglect to update your compliance records. These days, you need to be bullet-proof when it comes to cybersecurity.
Identify Your Areas of Risk
As with any line of business, you can’t protect against the risks and threats if you don’t know what they are.
First, think about the most valuable aspect of your business. What are you most worried about losing in a cyber attack?
Cyber attacks take many forms; some use malware to steal data, others use ransomware to extort your business from your customers.
Use analytical tools and extreme scenarios to figure out where your company is weakest. It’s worth having a consultation with a local IT security company at this stage. This St Louis IT security team offers free consultations, and other security firms often waive consultation fees once you partner with them.
Research Your IT Compliance
If you haven’t looked at your IT security strategy for a while, chances are you are lagging behind a bit. You probably have some useful protocols in place and comply with some IT requirements, but unless you’ve been keeping right up to date, there will be gaps and non-compliance issues.
Take some time to review your IT compliance with the intention of tightening things up. Separate them into three categories:
- Compliance rules you follow
- Compliance rules you don’t follow but can adapt to
- Compliance rules that will require a change in company policy
Consider the Strength of Your IT Systems
An IT security strategy isn’t something you get for free—it doesn’t come as a bonus or add-on feature in a deal you strike with a business partner. Rather, an IT security strategy is developed from the ground up and uniquely tailored to your business’s requirements. Making one of these takes time, focus, and attention.
This endeavor might take you away from your day job for a while, but you’ll be thankful for it when you see the results. You’ll end up with a resilient IT security system that catches cyberattacks before they do damage.
After you have understood the threats and optimized your compliance rules, ensure you have the latest security software installed.
There are more ways you can develop a robust security system for the future. Make sure your software is protected and backups all your data. Source an effective IT team or outsource your IT to a managed service provider (MSP). An MSP is a progressive and secure option with many advantages.
Create an “If-Then” IT Security Strategy Plan
Hopefully, you’re a lucky business that hasn’t suffered at the hands of cybercriminals; unfortunately, there’s a high probability this won’t last forever. What are you going to do when your IT security is finally breached? Do you even have a plan or strategy in place? If not, this could seriously harm your reputation and revenues.
What you need to do is to make an “If-then” IT security strategy. Separate your business into distinctive areas, like the following:
- Network Security
- Internet Security
- Endpoint Security
- Cloud Security
- Application Security
An “if-then” statement might read “If a hacker accesses client data, my company will fix the breach, notify clients and launch a PR plan.” It would then delve into the specifics, such as how they’ll notify clients and who will lead the PR strategy.
Make three “if-then” plans for each area of your business. One of them is a low-risk plan; the other two are middle and high-risk contingencies. Cybersecurity breaches can be very damaging and costly to businesses, so it pays to be ready for everything.
Concluding Thoughts About IT Security Strategy
If you haven’t considered your IT security strategy for a while, it’s time to start. Cybercrime moves with the times, and for every security measure you put in place, the cybercriminals will find a way around it soon enough.
Create an in-depth IT security strategy today to avoid IT disasters tomorrow.