Cybersecurity is a critical aspect of every organization, yet it is often overlooked due to the time and effort required to develop and implement a solid strategy. However, without a well-designed cybersecurity strategy, the complexity of maintaining security can quickly get out of hand. To achieve optimal security, organizations need a strategy that balances minimizing complexity and maximizing simplicity.
At NTT, when engaging with prospective clients, we prioritize understanding their overall cybersecurity strategy and maturity. It is essential for our security services to seamlessly integrate with their existing environment, while also aligning with our responsibilities as a managed service provider (MSP) and the roles of their in-house security team.
A cybersecurity strategy should be integrated across all parts of an organization and should not be seen as an obstacle. Instead, it should be viewed as an enabling and protecting force for the business. This requires an education-based approach where employees are informed about what they can do safely and the benefits of having specific security goals and controls in place.
MSPs and in-house teams must work together to promote security as part of the solution, rather than a roadblock. The controls and measures put in place should be communicated positively to ensure buy-in and cooperation from all stakeholders.
When developing a cybersecurity strategy, organizations should refer to the NIST Cybersecurity Framework, which provides a comprehensive guide for identifying, protecting, detecting, responding, and recovering from cyber threats. It is crucial to identify critical assets, implement effective protection measures, and have a robust response plan in place. Speed is critical in responding to cyber attacks, as events like ransomware attacks can unfold in a matter of minutes.
The cybersecurity strategy should prioritize people, processes, and technology in that order. Investing in the development and training of internal teams is crucial, whether they are in-house or part of an MSP. People are not only the most expensive assets, but they are also the most valuable and effective ones.
Processes and controls must be established to manage security events and continuously monitor the environment. Basic security hygiene should be addressed, and organizations should adhere to control frameworks such as ISO/IEC 27001. Operational requirements should drive technology decisions, ensuring that technology purchases align with business needs and minimize unnecessary vendor restrictions.
Measuring the success of a cybersecurity strategy requires a balance between complexity and simplicity. Metrics should be designed to tell the desired story and should cater to different audiences, including the security team, executive stakeholders, and MSP clients. Cyber threat intelligence plays a vital role in shaping security strategies, but it must be actionable and relevant to guide decision-making processes.
NTT curates actionable cyber threat intelligence by monitoring the threat landscape and leveraging frameworks like the MITRE ATT&CK. These frameworks help us detect signs of cyber threats and safeguard client environments. Automated assessment platforms allow for faster analysis of data and generation of alerts to prevent attacks and limit data loss.
Partnering with an experienced MSP is essential for organizations to proactively identify and mitigate security threats. NTT’s Managed Detection & Response (MDR) offers a tailored approach to security, meeting clients’ unique objectives while providing effective protection. MDR is a cost-effective alternative to a full-scope security solution, allowing organizations to leverage NTT’s expertise and collaborate in a different capacity.
In conclusion, a well-designed cybersecurity strategy is crucial for organizations to maintain optimal security. By integrating cybersecurity across all parts of the organization, partnering with MSPs, following industry frameworks, investing in people, and prioritizing actionable threat intelligence, organizations can effectively protect their environments and respond to adversarial activities.