In the realm of cybersecurity, much of the conversation revolves around fortifying defensive systems and implementing procedures to prevent and respond to attacks. However, these discussions often overlook two critical components of a strong security posture: IT governance and risk mitigation. Vincent Tran, Co-Founder and Chief Operating Officer of Liongard, emphasizes the importance of recognizing how every solution fits into a larger defense-in-depth strategy and the need for visibility into system configurations and changes.
In today’s digital landscape, businesses face a continuous proliferation of systems and configurations, as well as an ever-growing array of threats. Organizations have a wide range of options to consider as they develop their security posture. However, it is crucial for these organizations to understand how each implemented solution works in conjunction with others and aligns with their overall defense-in-depth strategy. Additionally, they must prioritize having visibility “left of boom,” focusing on upstream events and ensuring that governance and change detection mechanisms are in place to allow security tools to effectively mitigate risks downstream.
To achieve comprehensive and effective cybersecurity, organizations need a well-designed and carefully managed cybersecurity program. This program should protect against a broad range of threats while ensuring that critical business operations remain secure and uninterrupted. Establishing a solid foundation of asset and user inventory, coupled with visibility into changes, policies, and procedures, is essential in ensuring the success of an organization’s investments and cybersecurity strategy.
One crucial aspect of a robust security posture is IT governance. To effectively safeguard against cyber threats and mitigate risks, organizations must have a solid governance strategy in place that incorporates Configuration Change Detection and Response (CCDR). This encompasses establishing an inventory of assets, software, and user accounts and continuously detecting and documenting changes from the previous state. Only with this information can organizations develop effective response and remediation processes.
IT governance requires regular assessments to ensure that security configurations have not drifted or been misconfigured and that team members adhere to protocols, procedures, and processes over time. The US NIST 800-128 guide emphasizes the need for security-focused configuration management and change detection, as they are integral to an organization’s ability to respond and recover from incidents. IT governance is equally as important as the deployment of security solutions themselves, but it can often be overlooked.
Tran highlights that some teams fail to prioritize IT governance and merely “set it and forget it” with their defensive tools. Consequently, they lack a clear understanding of change and drift, leaving new assets, software, and users unprotected. This mindset creates opportunities for threat actors to exploit vulnerabilities and result in potentially catastrophic and expensive problems for companies. Therefore, security measures should be adaptable and flexible, allowing for adjustments as circumstances change.
Just as an offensive line in football protects users and enables forward progress, security teams should allow for a level of flexibility while establishing and maintaining inventory and policies regarding what is and is not allowed. By striking a balance between security and flexibility, organizations can provide end-users with the tools they need to be productive while ensuring success and security.
However, to effectively adapt to the changing times, businesses must update their security measures accordingly. While digital transformation and innovative systems and services are crucial for success in today’s business world, they also introduce new risks. Therefore, companies must continuously assess and refine their security processes, leveraging systems and automation that provide agility. This approach ensures that continuous auditing, change management, and security assessments are in place to maximize benefits and minimize potential drawbacks.
Overall, organizations must recognize the interconnectedness of their security solutions and the importance of IT governance and risk mitigation. By prioritizing these fundamental components, companies can strengthen their security posture and navigate the ever-evolving technology landscape while effectively protecting critical business operations.