Securing your organisation’s infrastructure and data against cyber threats can be an overwhelming endeavour. However, a cyber security framework such as NIST’s can help clarify key areas to focus on. Furthermore, using a framework also enables you to comply with relevant regulations, guiding you along your compliance journey. Below, we look at 5 ways to use a cyber security framework to your advantage.
Developing Long-Term Risk Management Strategies
Though the number of cyber attacks has risen steadily in recent years, many organisations still take a one-off approach to cyber security and risk management. Due to the looming threat of cyber attacks, this approach can be costly in the long-run, because you never know when a breach will hit you. It’s best to make cyber security an ongoing undertaking rather than a one-off endeavour.
A cyber security framework can help shift your company away from the one-off compliance mentality, towards a more responsive and adaptive posture. Continuous compliance helps you protect your data and infrastructure from attacks better than a one-off undertaking.
Bridging the Gap Between the Business and Technical Sides of Your Organisation
In any organisation, cyber security is everyone’s business. A framework can be an excellent, easy to understand tool to explain what you’re doing to secure everyone’s data and infrastructure. Building a security-first culture starts with bridging the gap between your IT team and the non-security versed members of the organisation. A framework outlines individual roles in the fight against a breach, making it easier to deal with a breach should the need arise.
With an operational cybersecurity framework, it will be easier to align your business goals with cyber security management. This will result in improved communication and decision-making within the organisation, making it easier to justify and allocate a cyber security budget to protect your assets.
Interpreting Your Organisation’s Security Needs
Every organisation has a unique set of security needs. The cyber security framework that you implement should be tailored to meet both your current and future needs. You can only address your security needs if you’re able to interpret them consistently – cyber security frameworks help you do that.
Without a cyber security framework in place, you run the risk of your employees interpreting their responsibilities differently. In turn, this might lead to errors or unforeseen gaps in the pursuit of your cyber security goals. Again, this highlights the importance of using a cyber security framework to address the security needs of your organisation.
Setting Up Action Plans
Cyber security frameworks exist to help you prevent breaches. However, if a breach does occur, you can turn to your framework for guidance on how to recover in the shortest time possible. Using a framework aids the creation of incident response plans that limit the effect on your company’s operations and reputation.
Frameworks are key to mapping out your cyber security journey, identifying any loopholes that need to be addressed. They can also be used as a basis to hold clear and actionable conversations with stakeholders in your organisation, helping determine what needs to be done to fortify your cyber security stance further.
Meeting Future Compliance Regulations and Requirements
Due to an ever-growing rise in cyber security incidents, updates are regularly made to existing regulations and compliance requirements. New frameworks, such as NYDFS 23 NYCRR 500, use existing cyber security frameworks as the foundation of their compliance guidelines. However, staying up to date with new requirements can be a tall order if your organisation doesn’t already use a framework.
Implementing a cyber security framework puts you in a better position to meet current and future compliance requirements. With the compliance bar rising by the day, you can only stay compliant if you have a reliable foundation to prepare for new standards and regulations. There’s no easier way to achieve this than to have a cyber security framework and using it to bolster your compliance game.
Final Words
A cyber security framework is an essential asset for any cyber security practitioner. Given a framework’s adaptability and flexibility, it offers you an effective way of addressing your security needs. Whether you want to address incident response, operational security, or the security awareness culture in your organisation, a cyber security framework is a great first step on a security journey.
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Article contributed by Reciprocity Labs
