How to Improve Your Corporate Security Program

Corporate cybersecurity is a rapidly evolving field. Organizations can no longer rely on outdated assumptions about security to stay competitive. They need to think about cybersecurity holistically as an extension of the business strategy responsive to current threats and vulnerabilities. The following are corporate security tips.

Tip #1: Be Integrated

Businesses must embrace corporate security on a strategic level to ensure they fulfil their organizational mission. Corporate security should be treated as something other than an afterthought or a bottleneck to business growth. Instead of treating cybersecurity as a "nice-to-have" with no real impact on the bottom line, it should be considered central to the organization's overall mission.

Integration is essential for many organizations because it allows them to identify and address emerging threats by applying proven security strategies. Many companies can benefit from investing in integrated solutions and products that deliver more than one type of protection for various asset classes (physical, data, application and process).

Tip #2: Deputize Security Advocates

Many corporations still need a broad-based, proactive corporate security program. Organizations can bolster their cyber posture by deputizing security advocates with a vested interest in protecting the integrity of the organization's information assets and help steer clear of common pitfalls that leave companies vulnerable to escalating security threats.

Tip #3: Institute Awareness Programs

Many corporations have created several awareness programs for their employees about the importance of cyber security. Still, many need to pay more attention to the benefits of educating employees on basic network monitoring practices. Educating employees on installing security patches and minimizing risk from Internet-connected devices is essential, but more is needed to guarantee a secure business environment. Organizations must also educate their employees about how to avoid common mistakes that can cause a cyber attack.

Tip #4: Engage the C-suite

The C-suite (CEO, CFO and CIO) will be very conservative about new security initiatives. They must consider their corporate strategy role and responsibility for protecting sensitive data and assets. While senior management can refrain from instigating security awareness programs or engaging employees in cyber security, they can work with IT to create a corporate cyber defense program.

Tip #5: Check Your Incident Management Process

Identifying vulnerabilities is one thing; addressing them is another. Organizations must follow a systematic process to ensure they are adhering to company policies while implementing any required changes in response to emerging threats or vulnerabilities. A solid incident management process will provide senior management with a strategy for responding to security incidents, including threat identification and response.

The corporate cybersecurity landscape is constantly changing, but the need for effective security strategies has never been more critical. With the help of these five simple but effective corporate security tips, companies can achieve a higher level of cyber protection by being proactive and integrating security into their overall business plan.