Workplace Cyber Protections Should Extend to Personal Lives of Cybersecurity Professionals, Says Industry Expert
In the world of cybersecurity, professionals often find themselves at the forefront of the battle against hackers and cybercriminals. They work tirelessly to protect their organizations from malicious attacks and secure sensitive data from falling into the wrong hands. However, their efforts come at a personal cost, as they become highly targeted both in and out of the office.
According to Chris Needs, VP of Product Management at HYAS Infosec Inc., cybersecurity practitioners face increased risks not only during their working hours but also when they go home to their families. The very nature of their work makes them attractive targets for attackers, who may seek retaliation or aim to gain unauthorized access to corporate networks through personal devices or home networks. The consequences can range from data breaches and extortion to the compromise of a security leader’s personal life.
While there is no shortage of enterprise security technologies and solutions available in the market, there is a significant gap when it comes to protecting the personal lives of cybersecurity professionals. Needs argues that it is time to extend workplace cyber protections to follow them home and provide them with the necessary tools and defenses.
Traditionally, home cybersecurity has been viewed as the responsibility of consumers and left to Internet Service Providers (ISPs), email services, and social media companies. However, given the unique risks faced by cybersecurity professionals, they require additional protections that go beyond what is typically provided to regular consumers.
Needs suggests adapting enterprise-grade Protective DNS solutions, which actively block malicious domains, to meet the personal needs of cybersecurity professionals and their families. By rolling out these solutions to practitioners at home, they would have more control and visibility over their own network security. This would also bridge the gap between enterprise and home cybersecurity, allowing professionals to leverage their skills, knowledge, and advanced tools to protect themselves and their families.
Furthermore, the concept of “duty of care” should be embraced by companies when it comes to their security practitioners. Employers should acknowledge their responsibility to reduce the risks and threats faced by their employees, even when they are outside of the office. This duty of care not only benefits the employees but also strengthens the overall security posture of the organization.
The potential benefits of extending workplace cyber protections to the personal lives of cybersecurity practitioners are twofold. On one hand, it enhances the security and well-being of the employees, ensuring they are not left vulnerable to targeted attacks. On the other hand, it presents new business opportunities for vendors who can develop specialized tools and affordable delivery models to cater to the needs of individual cybersecurity professionals.
In conclusion, the increased risks faced by cybersecurity professionals in their personal lives emphasize the need for workplace cyber protections to extend beyond the office. By providing tailored solutions and tools that empower practitioners to protect themselves and their families, organizations can demonstrate their commitment to the well-being of their security teams while also enhancing their overall security posture. Collaboration and innovation in this area will ultimately make the industry stronger and better equipped to defend against evolving cyber threats.