Digital Risks Are Changing And CSOs Must Adapt

Picture this, a large organisation has been hacked, compromising the financial information of millions of people. 
News headlines detailing similar stories are now frequent, causing the job description of CSO to rapidly expand. In the past, the main responsibility of this role has been managing the physical security of an enterprise. 

But in today’s dominantly digital world, CSOs must expand their reach to not only monitor tangible risks, but also address the uninsured risks that live in the digital world.  

Digital risk continues to be a puzzling area for CSOs, but one that is only going to grow with time. 
In fact, the Gartner Digital Risk Management Hype Cycle recently found that less than five percent of enterprises are currently monitoring their digital risk.

With such a limited focus on digital risk, it is imperative that CSOs be proactive in addressing these vulnerabilities before they become larger enterprise issues. 

Two areas where CSOs should place their focus are cybersecurity around bring your own device (BYOD) policies and proper employee digital risk training. With a proper strategy in place to address these issues, CSOs can significantly alter their security landscape, ultimately protecting their company and reducing their digital risk exposure.

Bring Your Own Device
The acceptance of BYOD practices brings with them a bevy of digital risks, many of which are still being realised by CSOs. Traditionally, CSOs have focused on protecting the enterprise from hacks through their own systems, but the emergence of BYOD has extended these practices to include employee-owned devices. 

In leaving device selection up to the employees, security teams now find themselves having to account for wider technology platforms ranging from computers, cellphones and even tablets, each of which carry unique operating systems. To counter these practices, CSOs must serve as the first line of defense in establishing remediation strategies that protect employees and the enterprise from risks and breaches, no matter their device. In doing so, CSOs must understand the risks that these devices bring due to the nuances in their security protocols and employee usage.
 
Employee Education
Education is one of the best defenses against hackers. Many companies have security policies in place, but employees are not responsible for what they do not know. If employees undergo security training, enterprises can benefit from increased employee understanding of risks as well as help improve visibility into arising risks and appropriate remediation strategies.
In these training programs, employees should learn the signs of phishing emails, the importance of securing their devices when they aren’t using them and how to best set up passwords. 

This is also a good opportunity for the CSO to explain company policies with the employees. Such policies may include; how to report missing computers, how often passwords and security software should be updated and steps to take during a possible cyberattack.

CSOs must create an environment where employees know how to identify risks and inform appropriate parties when risk arise. This allows the enterprise to get ahead of the risk, helping minimise long-term damage.

Risk Management Starts with the C-suite
When it comes to enterprise security, C-suites should be vocal leaders on the importance of digital risk for the other employees to follow. A CEO who is very vocal about reducing digital risk will provide the leadership and employee buy-in that will resonate throughout the enterprise.

The role of a CSO will continue to evolve as the world of digital risk changes, so it is imperative that they take the time to understand where/how these risks arise as well as how to address them. With digital risk’s continual growth, now is the time for CSOs to act.

Security Magazine:   Image: AlphaStock / Nick Youngson

You Might Also Read: 

Cultural Strategies For Data Security (£):

BYOD Security Is Critical For Business:

Staff Training Is Important But Does Not Reduce Cyber Risk:

 

« Google To Open An AI Centre In Beijing
Russian Hackers Steal $10M From Banks »

CyberSecurity Jobsite
Perimeter 81

Directory of Suppliers

Practice Labs

Practice Labs

Practice Labs is an IT competency hub, where live-lab environments give access to real equipment for hands-on practice of essential cybersecurity skills.

BackupVault

BackupVault

BackupVault is a leading provider of automatic cloud backup and critical data protection against ransomware, insider attacks and hackers for businesses and organisations worldwide.

LockLizard

LockLizard

Locklizard provides PDF DRM software that protects PDF documents from unauthorized access and misuse. Share and sell documents securely - prevent document leakage, sharing and piracy.

MIRACL

MIRACL

MIRACL provides the world’s only single step Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) which can replace passwords on 100% of mobiles, desktops or even Smart TVs.

Resecurity, Inc.

Resecurity, Inc.

Resecurity is a cybersecurity company that delivers a unified platform for endpoint protection, risk management, and cyber threat intelligence.

Nmap Project

Nmap Project

Nmap Project is a Free and open source tool for network discovery, administration, and security auditing.

Subex

Subex

Subex leverages its award-winning telecom analytics solutions in areas such as Revenue Assurance, Fraud Management, Asset Assurance and Partner Management, and IoT Security.

bwtech@UMBC

bwtech@UMBC

The bwtech@UMBC Cyber Incubator is an innovative business incubation program that delivers business and technical support to start-up and early-stage cybersecurity/IT products and services companies.

Sysorex Government Services

Sysorex Government Services

Sysorex Government Services helps customers meet their strategic missions by providing secure, optimized IT solutions that allow them to perform more efficiently and effectively.

Bitbone

Bitbone

Bitbone develop IT infrastructure and IT security solutions that create long-term value.

CyNam

CyNam

CyNam is a platform for enabling the growth and development of people and organisations within Cheltenham’s flourishing cyber technology ecosystem.

BATM Advanced Communications

BATM Advanced Communications

BATM Advanced Communications is a leading provider of real-time technologies for networking and cyber security solutions.

Path Forward IT

Path Forward IT

Path Forward IT has been troubleshooting, architecting, migrating, protecting, and securing IT environments for businesses across the USA since 2002.

Opticks Security

Opticks Security

Opticks provides fraud detection and monitoring solutions for leading brands. agencies and networks. Our relentless mission is to deliver reliable and innovative software to beat digital fraud.

tTech

tTech

tTech is the first and foremost company providing outsourced Information Technology solutions to businesses in Jamaica.

Valtix

Valtix

Valtix is the first and only multi-cloud network security platform delivered as a service that enables cloud teams to meet the most stringent security requirements in a cloud-first & simple way.

Tailscale

Tailscale

Tailscale is a VPN service that makes the devices and applications you own accessible anywhere in the world, securely and effortlessly.

Accenture

Accenture

Accenture is a leading global professional services company providing a range of strategy, consulting, digital, technology & operations services and solutions including cybersecurity.

Willyama Services

Willyama Services

Willyama Services is a certified Information Technology and Cybersecurity professional services business providing services to government and private sector clients.

Olympix

Olympix

Dev-first Web3 security that starts at the source. Olympix is a pioneering DevSecOps tool that puts security in the hands of the developer by proactively securing code from day one.

Secure Cyber Management

Secure Cyber Management

Secure Cyber Management provides industry-leading cloud security advice, guidance and services.