The journey to cyber security maturity, resilience

Josh Bahlman has advice for staying on top of the cyber threat business landscape, and talks you through a cyber security maturity and resilience plan for SMEs.

As the world becomes more digitally connected and cyber attacks are becoming more sophisticated, the importance of cyber security maturity and resilience cannot be overstated. We’re talking about protecting your business from those pesky hackers who are just waiting to steal your data, mess with your systems, and potentially cause a lot of trouble. Similar to having a fortress around your business, except instead of moats and drawbridges, you’re using firewalls and anti-virus software.

Now, we know what you’re thinking. “I’m just a small business, what do I need to worry about?” Well, my friend, that’s exactly the point. Cyber security maturity levels need to be adapted to the business you’re in and your assets. Luckily, if you’re a small business, you don’t need to invest in the same level of cyber security as a large corporation. That being said, you still need to make sure your systems are secure and your employees are educated on the importance of cyber security.

Understanding the importance of cyber security maturity and resilience

First things first, let’s talk about cyber security maturity and resilience. Cyber security maturity is all about how ready your business is to handle cyber threats. Resilience, on the other hand, is about your ability to bounce back from those threats. Think of it like a boxer who not only knows how to throw punches but also knows how to take a hit.

Just like a boxer needs to train and prepare for a fight, businesses need to be proactive in their approach to cyber security. This means investing in the latest security technologies, providing regular training to employees, and conducting regular testing and assessment of systems to ensure that they are secure and resilient. It’s similar to shadowboxing – fighting imaginary foes to conquer real skills, where you practice your moves and techniques without an opponent. In the same way, businesses need to simulate potential cyber attacks to identify weaknesses in their systems and improve their readiness and resilience.

But, just like a boxer can never fully predict the moves of their opponent, businesses can never fully predict the next cyber threat. This is where resilience comes in. It’s like taking a punch and being able to bounce back up, ready to continue the fight. A business with strong resilience can recover quickly from a cyber attack and get back to business as usual.

In the end, cyber security maturity and resilience are essential for any business that wants to protect itself from cyber threats and ensure business continuity. Boxers again, not only do they need a strong offense, but also a strong defence, ready for whatever comes their way. By taking a proactive approach to cyber security and developing a comprehensive plan tailored to the unique needs of your business, you can be ready for whatever the cyber world throws at you. The key of course is to right size it to you and your business!

Staying on top of the ever-changing landscape of cyber threats

Now, we all know that cyber threats are constantly evolving. It’s comparable to playing a game of whack-a-mole. As soon as you think you’ve got one threat under control, another one pops up. It’s enough to drive anyone crazy.

That being said, it’s important to stay up-to-date with the latest threats and trends in cyber security. But, let’s face it, keeping up with the Kardashians can be easier than keeping up with the latest cyber threats. Especially for small businesses with limited resources, it can be overwhelming to keep track of everything. Picture this in the same vein, attempting to binge all Marvel movies in a single day—a Herculean task beyond mortal capabilities.

However, fear not! There are ways for small businesses to stay up-to-date without breaking the bank. You can join local business organizations or attend cyber security events to learn from other business owners and experts. Imagine joining the Avengers and learning from Iron Man, except it’s for cyber security. Or, you can use free resources provided by government agencies, such as the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Cybersecurity Framework or New Zealand’s own CERTNZ or National Cyber Security Centre. Great resources focused on bringing the information you need to help you with your business.

For larger businesses, staying up-to-date with the latest threats and trends in cyber security may be more manageable due to larger resources. But, the challenge for larger businesses is often the scale and complexity of their systems. It’s like trying to herd cats or organizing a birthday party for a toddler, it can be a challenging task. In this case, they may need to invest in a dedicated cyber security team or outsource some security functions to a third-party provider. They may also need to develop a comprehensive cyber security plan that covers all aspects of their business.

The different cyber security requirements for businesses of different sizes

Now, let’s talk about how different lines of business require different cyber security requirements. It’s not just about the size of your business, but the potential impact an attack could have on your operations. Even small businesses that deal with sensitive customer data or financial transactions may require a higher level of cyber security than a larger business that deals with less sensitive information.

It’s important for all businesses to ensure their systems are secure and their employees are educated on the importance of cyber security. Small to medium-sized businesses can consider outsourcing some security functions to a third-party provider or investing in cloud-based security solutions as a more affordable and easier-to-manage option. Meanwhile, larger enterprises may have a dedicated cyber security team and need to invest in advanced security technologies to protect against potential cyber threats that could have a significant impact on their operations.

Identifying the right level of maturity for your business

Think of it like choosing the right level of spiciness for your food. Just like how some people can handle spicy food better than others, different businesses have different tolerance levels for cyber threats. Conducting a thorough risk assessment is like testing your tolerance level for spiciness. It helps you identify the areas where you need to focus your resources and develop a cyber security plan that addresses all of your risks.

For example, if you’re in the healthcare industry dealing with sensitive patient data, you may need a higher level of cyber security than a pizza restaurant that only takes orders online. Think of it as selecting between mild or zesty pizza sauce – both delicious, yet one harbors the potential for a spicy reckoning later on.

So, just like how you wouldn’t want to order a pizza that’s too spicy for you to handle, you also don’t want to invest in a level of cyber security that’s beyond your business’s needs. By conducting a risk assessment and developing a tailored cyber security plan, you can ensure that your business is prepared for any potential cyber threats without being overwhelmed financially, or sheer log exhausted analysts not knowing where to start.

Tangible outputs of a cyber security maturity and resilience plan for SMBs

This is where we look at building a fortress to protect your business from the evil forces of cyber threats. A cyber security maturity and resilience plan can provide you with a number of tangible outputs, like building a strong and impenetrable wall around your business.

Firstly, it gives you a clear understanding of the risks and vulnerabilities facing your business, like identifying weak spots in your wall that need to be reinforced. Secondly, it helps you develop a comprehensive cyber security plan (also known as an incident response plan), like a blueprint for building your wall.

An incident response plan is like having a group of knights ready to defend your castle in case of an attack. Regular training for your employees is like training them in sword fighting and other combat skills to protect the castle.

Implementing the latest security technologies is then like adding cannons and other weapons to your arsenal to defend against potential attackers. And finally, regular testing and assessment of your systems is like regularly checking your wall for any weak spots and reinforcing them if needed.

With a cyber security maturity and resilience plan in place, you can be sure that your business is protected from the forces of cyber threats, just like how a well-built fortress can protect a kingdom from enemy forces.

Unlocking the ultimate goal of cyber security maturity and resilience

Ah, the irony! Here we stand, the cyber security professionals of the 21st century, metaphorically wearing our superhero capes to combat the ever-evolving cyber threats that lurk in the digital shadows. As we assemble our team akin to the Avengers, who would have imagined we’d be confronting not extra-terrestrial beings or mythical creatures, but the cunning and elusive adversaries behind phishing scams and ransomware attacks?

So, let us safeguard our organization’s most valuable assets and confidential information with the same gusto as Thor wielding Mjolnir or the Hulk vanquishing baddies. And bear in mind, in the realm of cyber security, you’re not just any professional – you’re the resourceful, irony-appreciating expert your business never realized it required.

So, here’s to securing the digital landscape, one wry smile and strategic plan at a time.

Josh Bahlman (below) is Spark’s Chief Information Security Officer.