Cybersecurity risk management is the practice of identifying potential risks to plan defenses and avoid those risks.
This practice is also important in keeping a healthy cyber state. It can help an organization deal with risks effectively. So it cannot spread any further damages and issues.
But how can you make sure a good cybersecurity risk management posture?
Cybersecurity Risk Management Best Practices
1. Know your IT Environment and Assets
Good comprehensive knowledge of your IT environment and assets creates a good risk management strategy. Of course, how can you protect it if you don’t know what it is in detail?
This involves securing critical assets and gateways in your systems. For instance, this should include the following:
- Data and digital assets
- BYOT devices
- Networks
- Systems
- Third-party components
- Third-party services
- Technology
- Endpoints
By doing so, you can make sure that every risk is dealt with.
2. Develop a Strong Cybersecurity Risk Management Strategy
Strategy is essential for good protection and security. It involves the consideration of risk tolerance and risk profiles. Also, it takes the role of employees, incident response, and escalation plans.
The people factor is vital in developing strategies. Employees practicing security protocols can mitigate the risks from developing and causing further damage. People can be the weakest link in a cybersecurity posture. So handling enough training sessions can help them act with your strategy.
3. Embed it into your Organizational Culture and Values
A good implementation should follow a good strategy.
Here are some suggestions for you to start, for example:
- Document your strategies, plans, and procedures
- Let your stakeholders know of the cybersecurity plan
- Create a culture that is sensitive and responsive to risks
- Each stakeholder should be aware of his part of the plan
- Conduct training sessions for employees
Implementation acts out the plan in the strategy. So it is important to embed the protocols into the people and all your processes.
4. Be Adaptive, Continuous, and Actionable
Cybersecurity is a fast-changing and evolving landscape. New threats and risks evolve from time to time. Also, new technologies come and go. Thus, it is vital to keep your systems updated and on track.
These changes directly affect the risk posture of your organization. So it is important to review gaps, issues, and potential threats regularly. Of which can only be possible when risk assessments are adaptive and continuous.
5. Implement Strict Security Protocols
Strict security protocols can help you deliver an efficient risk mitigation process.
Here are some suggestions you can consider, for instance:
- Make sure to employ an intelligent web application firewall. This should monitor network traffic closely. This way, you can have actionable and real-time insights.
- Automated patching can help
- Implement authentication policies and access controls
- Review all devices and extend security, this should include even BYOT devices
- Remote working should still follow security protocols
Having a centralized system for all your data can greatly help. For instance, it excuses you from siloed data. And it helps you in the monitoring and identifying of risks. Thus, furthers protection and security.
