Why Cybersecurity is No Longer Just a Technical Issue: A Business Perspective

Cybersecurity has traditionally been viewed as a technical issue, primarily the responsibility of IT and security teams. However, as cyber threats continue to evolve and become more sophisticated, it is becoming increasingly clear that cybersecurity is a business issue that affects all aspects of an organization. It is no longer just about protecting the network and data from breaches, but also about protecting the reputation and financial stability of the organization. The potential impacts of a successful cyberattack can be devastating, and it is essential that all levels of an organization, from top management to individual employees, understand and take responsibility for their role in protecting the organization from cyber threats. Cybersecurity must be integrated into the overall risk management strategy and business continuity planning of the organization. It’s time for the perception of cybersecurity to shift from being a technical issue to being a critical business issue that affects the overall well-being of the organization.

Things to consider for any SMB:

1. Risk Assessment:
   • Identify and assess potential cyber threats to the organization.
   • Evaluate the likelihood and impact of these threats.
   • Prioritize the most critical threats to the organization.
2. Policy and Procedures:
   • Develop and implement policies and procedures to mitigate identified cyber threats.
   • Ensure that these policies and procedures align with industry standards and regulations.
   • Regularly review and update policies and procedures as necessary.
3. Employee Education and Awareness:
   • Provide regular training and education to employees on cybersecurity best practices and their role in protecting the organization.
   • Communicate the importance of cybersecurity to the organization and the potential consequences of a cyberattack.
   • Ensure that all employees understand and comply with established policies and procedures.
4. Technical Measures:
   • Implement technical measures such as firewalls, antivirus software, and intrusion detection systems to protect against cyber threats.
   • Regularly update software and systems to ensure they are protected against known vulnerabilities.
   • Continuously monitor and assess the effectiveness of these technical measures.
5. Incident Response Plan:
   • Establish an incident response plan to quickly and effectively respond to a cyber incident.
   • Regularly test and update the incident response plan.
   • Ensure that all employees are aware of the incident response plan and their role in it.
6. Business Continuity Planning:
   • Develop a plan to ensure that the organization can continue to operate in the event of a cyber incident.
   • Ensure that key business processes and critical data can be quickly restored in the event of a cyber incident.
   • Regularly test and update the business continuity plan.
7. Review and Auditing:
   • Regularly review and audit the organization’s cybersecurity program to ensure it remains effective and aligned with industry standards and regulations.
   • Implement a process for reporting and tracking cybersecurity incidents.

This template is a starting point to help small businesses begin to think about their cybersecurity needs. It’s important to note that the specific risks and needs of each business will vary, and this template should be adapted as necessary to fit the unique needs of the organization. Regularly reviewing and updating this plan will help ensure that the organization is protected against evolving cyber threats.