Managing Risk in a Constantly Changing Cyber Landscape
As technology continues to evolve and become a cornerstone for virtually all aspects of daily life, cybersecurity and risk management have become essential functions for businesses and organizations of all sizes. Gone are the days when “keeping the bad guys out” was the only concern of an IT department. Businesses face the arduous task of ensuring their organizations have the right cyber defenses in place and are able to stop cyber threats, while still protecting the privacy of their customers, stakeholders, and employees. Cybersecurity and Risk Management Pioneer Taiye Lambo recently sat in on a Kitecast episode to discuss the impact of AI, the motivations of threat actors, and the efficacy of cybersecurity frameworks in managing risk.
Changing Roles of Cybersecurity Practitioners and Compliance Leaders in a Dynamic Cyber Space
The role of a cybersecurity practitioner is no longer limited to simply implementing the latest firewalls and antivirus programs. Rather, they must also develop robust risk management processes to assess, monitor, and respond to cyber threats in a changing environment. Compliance leaders, too, must keep up to date with compliance requirements in both the public and private sectors, and leverage their expertise to ensure that an organization is adhering to all relevant security standards.
Adding to the complexity of cybersecurity and compliance roles are ever-shifting regulations and industry standards, as well as a rapidly growing cyber threat landscape. Here, Lambo notes that the job of a cybersecurity practitioner or compliance leader is increasingly complex and the skills needed are more diverse, allowing more opportunities for women and minorities to enter the industry.
Role of Artificial Intelligence in Cybersecurity
Artificial intelligence (AI) is one of the most promising technologies when it comes to handling security threats. By introducing automation, AI-powered systems can detect potential threats in real time, flag suspicious activity, and prevent malicious attacks. This shift from reactive to proactive security management has the potential to drastically reduce the amount of time it takes to detect and respond to cyber threats.
However, AI can be used for malicious purposes as well. Threat actors can use AI to automate their attacks, compromising systems and data in much less time than it would take for a human to carry out similar tasks. Despite the potential risks posed by AI, Lambo suggests that it can be a powerful tool in the right hands, and that organizations need to keep up with the latest research and developments in the field in order to make use of it.
Threat Actors and Their Motivations
Threat actors come from a range of backgrounds and have a variety of motivations. Some may be driven by ideology and looking to cause disruption, while others could be motivated by money and look to steal valuable data or extort organizations.
Threat actors have a variety of motives when launching cyberattacks. Some may be motivated by financial gain; others may be motivated by political or ideological objectives. Some may simply be looking to cause disruption and chaos. Understanding the motivations of threat actors can help organizations to better protect themselves.
However, no matter the motive, Lambo argues that organizations must understand the threat actors they face in order to prepare the right defense. This requires a deep knowledge of the threats and the tools that can be used to combat them.
Measuring Cyber Risk in a Constantly Changing Cyber Landscape
Organizations must measure the risk posed by potential cyber threats in order to develop effective strategies for defending against them. Lambo discussed several frameworks used to measure cybersecurity risk, including the NIST Cybersecurity Framework, the ISO 27000 series, and the SANS Institute Critical Security Controls. These frameworks provide a structure for organizations to assess, measure, and monitor their cyber risk.
NIST Cybersecurity Framework
The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Cybersecurity Framework (CSF) provides a comprehensive set of cybersecurity guidelines and best practices. The framework is designed to help organizations assess and manage their cyber risk in a cost-effective, flexible, and repeatable manner. The framework is composed of a core, profiling, and tiers that provide organizations with a roadmap to implement and maintain a secure cybersecurity posture.
ISO 27000 Series
The ISO/IEC 27000 series is an international standard that provides guidelines and best practices for managing cybersecurity risk. The family of standards includes guidance on managing risk in the areas of information security management, assurance, risk assessment, and control, offering a framework that organizations can use to develop a comprehensive cybersecurity program to protect systems and information. The standards emphasize the importance of having clear processes, procedures, and controls in place to protect an organization’s sensitive data, customers, suppliers, employees, and other stakeholders.
SANS Institute Critical Security Controls
The SANS Institute Critical Security Controls (CSC) is a set of risk-based security controls that provide organizations with a framework to identify, assess, and mitigate cyber risk. The CSC focuses on mitigating the most serious cyber threats and includes topics such as asset management, user access control, and network monitoring.
How to Use Cybersecurity Frameworks for Risk Management
Organizations can use the above frameworks to manage their cyber risk. In order to do this, organizations must first determine what cybersecurity controls are needed to protect their systems and data. This can be done through a risk assessment, which will identify potential cybersecurity threats and vulnerabilities. Once the risks have been identified, organizations can assess their level of risk and implement the necessary security controls.
Why Use These Cybersecurity Frameworks to Manage Risk?
There are a number of reasons why organizations need to use cybersecurity frameworks to manage risk. These include:
Common Language for Cybersecurity
Using cybersecurity frameworks can provide organizations with a common language for discussing and managing cybersecurity. Organizations can use the frameworks to discuss cyber risk in terms understood by all stakeholders. This can help ensure that your entire organization is on the same page when it comes to cyber risk management.
Standardized Risk Management Process
Using cybersecurity frameworks can also provide organizations with a standardized risk management process. This can help organizations to consistently identify, assess, and mitigate cyber risk. This allows organizations to manage cyber risk in an efficient and effective manner.
Ability to Measure and Monitor Risk
Using cybersecurity frameworks allows organizations to measure and monitor their cyber risk. Organizations can track the effectiveness of their security measures and make adjustments as needed. This can help organizations stay ahead of any potential threats or vulnerabilities.
Improved Collaboration Among Business Partners
Using cybersecurity frameworks can also help to improve the collaboration between organizations and their business partners. By using the same framework, organizations can ensure that their security measures are aligned and that they are working together to mitigate cyber risk. This can help to strengthen the relationship between the two organizations and ensure that they are on the same page when it comes to cybersecurity.
Cybersecurity Risk Management With Kiteworks Private Content Network
Organizations must stay abreast of the latest developments in cybersecurity and risk management to ensure their systems are protected from potential threats. Lambo provides a comprehensive overview of the changing role of cybersecurity practitioners and compliance leaders, the role of AI in cybersecurity, and the motivations of threat actors. He also emphasizes the importance of measuring the risk posed by potential cyber threats and the efficacy of various cybersecurity frameworks in doing so.
By utilizing the Kiteworks Private Content Network, organizations cannot only protect their data but also simplify their risk management and reduce the cost and complexity of their cybersecurity program. Kiteworks unifies content communications into one platform that integrates security capabilities such as antivirus, advanced threat prevention (ATP), data loss prevention (DLP), and content disarm and reconstruction (CDR), among others. Kiteworks also offers industry-leading encryption capabilities where the keys are owned and controlled by the client.
The Kiteworks Private Content Network enables organizations to audit, monitor, and assign permissions to data and content that ensures compliance with data privacy regulations and cybersecurity frameworks.
Schedule a custom demo today to see how the Kiteworks Private Content Network can enable you to manage governance and security risk.
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