Businesses today are working in a highly digital age, with security risks (including cybersecurity threats) constantly on the periphery of company operations. As such, organizations are expected to invest in their security posture to reduce the chances of their systems and people becoming impacted by risks.
One way business leaders can do this is to ascertain and improve their security maturity. By enhancing your company’s safety protocols, you will be able to strengthen your cybersecurity posture and minimize the likelihood of falling victim to successful attacks.
An overview of security maturity
Typically, “security maturity” is a term that references a company’s general security posture in relation to its identified risks. In the information security world, the term can correlate with “cybersecurity maturity”—a standard that defines the efficacy of your business’s cybersecurity solutions and your level of preparedness to minimize threats. While the cybersecurity threats companies face are relatively standard, the specific security programs and practices businesses use tend to be unique to them.
As such, security maturity may look different for every business. Regardless, it is important to remember that your maturity level is judged by how proactive you are when deploying and utilizing your digital security solutions and practices. Business leaders should always strive for a strong security posture to ensure that their company is competitive and ready to respond to (or, even better, avoid) cyber risks and other threats.
Why is having a strong cybersecurity posture important for businesses?
Organizations that have a strong cybersecurity posture are better prepared to protect themselves from cyber-attacks. This extends beyond everyday security tools. A healthy security posture encompasses a range of processes and solutions: Cyber-defense planning, incident response, security training and awareness, effective password management, and more.
Cybersecurity postures empower businesses and their employees to protect their data and reduce the risk of future incidents. Companies are constantly under threat from malicious entities such as the following:
- Malware attacks
- Distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks
- Phishing attacks
- Human error
- And more
A solid security posture is imperative for all companies, but especially so for small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) as they are finding themselves the targets of cybercrime. The more prepared an organization is to deal with cyber threats, the better the chance they have of coming out on top and surviving security risks.
No matter the size of an enterprise, the right assessment and measures need to be taken in order to protect against cyber threats. A great way to do this is by selecting an appropriate cybersecurity framework.
What are cybersecurity frameworks, and how do they impact your cybersecurity posture?
A cybersecurity framework is a set of procedures, guidelines, and standards that companies can adhere to for more effective risk management and mitigation. Frameworks seek to enhance the functionality of cybersecurity solutions and practices to ensure that they are being used effectively. You ought to include frameworks within your digital security strategies for greater data protection and compliance.
Some frameworks you may have come across include:
- ISO 27001
- NIST cybersecurity framework
- Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC)
Cybersecurity frameworks play an important role in ensuring that businesses have a security posture that is resilient to threats. They provide a blueprint for best practices and help organizations patch up their vulnerabilities, guiding decision-making about which security measures to take and how to deploy them.
Additionally, by using frameworks, companies can have an easier time complying with laws and regulations related to their industries. By granting you more visibility over your cybersecurity solutions and processes, frameworks organically improve your business’s cybersecurity posture to protect your company and its data from prospective threats.
How to improve your cybersecurity posture
It does not matter what nation or state a business is in, cybersecurity ought to be at the top of the company agenda. Malicious entities will attempt to gain access to your network and steal sensitive information at any moment. But with a security posture made of steel, not to mention security maturity that is capable of withstanding cybersecurity threats, you and your team members will be able to conduct your operations within a safe workplace for the betterment of your customers.
To improve your security posture and security maturity, you can:
- Foster a healthy cybersecurity culture: From investing in cybersecurity awareness training to actively prioritizing security tools in all operations, you ought to educate and inspire everyone within your organization on the benefits of digital security. If people understand the importance of data security, they will be more conscious about maintaining it.
- Harden your digital perimeter: Make sure your network’s endpoints are protected by access control solutions, firewalls, web filtering, etc.
- Regularly update your software: Make sure your software is up to date and configured to protect against cybersecurity threats in real time.
- Conduct a security posture assessment: Provides you with insights into your security maturity (particularly your cybersecurity maturity). An assessment can help you identify weaknesses in your posture and develop solutions to fix them.
- Take advantage of automation: Automation can enhance the performance of cybersecurity solutions, helping them detect and respond to threats 24/7.
Secure your business’s future with robust cybersecurity solutions
When it comes to securing your business’s digital assets, you need a complete and robust approach that combines technology and company culture into a force that can help you avoid cybersecurity threats. A security posture embodies that approach.
The cybersecurity consulting services at Everconnect can supply you with all the cost-efficient solutions you need to strengthen your security posture. Reach out to Everconnect’s cybersecurity experts today to help your business remain secure and agile within the market.
