The need for cybersecurity and cyber resilience has become increasingly important as the volume and velocity of cyber attacks continue to rise. Companies must be prepared to protect their data from cyber threats and also be able to handle any potential fallout from a system compromise. In this article, we will explore the definitions and importance of both cybersecurity and cyber resilience, as well as how to align these strategies to ensure maximum protection for businesses.
Cybersecurity is a widely used term in the IT industry, referring to the practice of protecting internet-connected systems, hardware, software, and data from cyber threats. It involves measures taken by individuals and enterprises to prevent unauthorized access to their computerized systems. Cybersecurity standards and frameworks provide organizations with guidelines on how to prepare for and respond to attacks and vulnerabilities.
A strong cybersecurity strategy and program greatly assist affected organizations in mitigating the damage caused by data breaches, vulnerabilities, malware attacks, insider threats, and human error. Investments in cybersecurity software, hardware, and perimeter protection systems such as firewalls and intrusion prevention systems can significantly minimize the impact of a potential cyber attack.
On the other hand, cyber resilience is a more recent term that refers to an organization’s ability to modify and adapt its business operations to quickly recover and resume operations following a security breach. A cyber-resilient organization can effectively respond to and recover from security incidents, allowing them to resume normal business operations more quickly and effectively.
Cyber resilience encompasses cybersecurity efforts, but it also includes incident response, business continuity (BC), and disaster recovery (DR). Traditionally, these components have been siloed from each other, but their integration is critical to achieving cyber resilience. By aligning cybersecurity and cyber resilience strategies, organizations can protect themselves from various threats, including malicious actors and disasters.
One critical aspect of a cyber-resilience strategy is defining normal business operations. Regardless of what normal looks like, cybersecurity and cyber-resilience plans need to adapt to the “new normal,” as seen during the COVID-19 pandemic when businesses were forced to adapt to remote work models. The goal of a cyber-resilience program is to return as close to normal operations as possible, considering the changing circumstances.
It is essential to note that cybersecurity and cyber resilience should not be seen as competing strategies but rather as complementary ones. While cybersecurity plans focus on preparing for and recovering from cyber incidents, they may not be sufficient if business operations are severely affected. In such cases, disaster recovery (DR) and business continuity (BC) plans come into play. DR plans help organizations recover disrupted IT assets, utilizing techniques such as cloud recovery services, data backup facilities, and spare components. BC plans, on the other hand, support cyber-resilience plans by implementing procedures to recover business operations.
Both cybersecurity and cyber-resilience plans should be deployed, documented, periodically exercised, regularly reviewed, and updated. By effectively aligning these strategies with BC and DR plans, organizations can establish a comprehensive program that ensures business continuity and minimizes the impact of cyber attacks.
In conclusion, as cyber threats continue to evolve and increase in frequency and complexity, organizations must prioritize both cybersecurity and cyber resilience. While cybersecurity provides the foundation for protecting against cyber attacks, cyber resilience enables organizations to quickly recover and resume normal operations following a security breach. By aligning these strategies and integrating them with BC and DR plans, businesses can better protect themselves and ensure business continuity in the face of cyber threats.