Cyberattacks are everywhere now and regularly make the headlines. Nobody is immune and everyone needs strong security for their data and IT systems. All businesses need to invest appropriately in cybersecurity, but it may be difficult to find that funding or persuade the financial managers in an organization that it’s essential.
The irony is that if you have excellent cybersecurity, you won’t see the results because you’re fending off the cybercriminals. There’s nothing to see. But, if you don’t have adequate cybersecurity and fall victim to a cyberattack, you’ll realize how crucial it is that your business is properly protected.
Here’s a sign of the importance of cybersecurity today. Some forward-thinking companies have created a new role in their organization: chief information security officer (CISO). These businesses recognize the importance of dedicating human and financial resources to data and network security. The CISO may have some powers to direct funds to cybersecurity, or is in a position to persuade management of its importance. Let’s look at three ways to invest in cybersecurity and obtain the digital tools you need to keep your digital assets secure.
Assessing Your Cybersecurity Needs
To use your security budget effectively you need to know where to direct your funds. The starting point is to assess your priorities. These vary somewhat from business to business but small firms often find that these three areas need attention:
Continuity planning – Running a business is hard work and it’s easy to neglect planning for disasters and unforeseen disruptions to operations. When a crisis hits, there’s no real plan for how to respond. A considered continuity strategy can save you a whole lot of time and stress if problems do arise.
Staff Awareness – Your staff need training if they are to be effective in maintaining cybersecurity. A typical example is phishing attacks. If staff know what to look for, they’re far less likely to click on suspicious links in an email, with the attendant risk of malware and major security breaches.
Consider Insurance – Did you know you can insure yourself against the damage that cybercrime and data loss can do to your business? Many people don’t. It’s well worth thinking about insuring yourself against cybercrime, in view of its prevalence.
Next-Level Cybersecurity Strategies
Security planning is a whole lot more complex than just having antivirus software installed. If you can calculate the costs of a cyberattack on your operation, the financial decision-makers in your organization may be more open to investing in protections
There can be costs associated with cyberattacks that go beyond the obvious. For example, many industries have regulations about data protection, with penalties for non-compliance. Those regulations are there for a reason, and compliance is best practice for any business
Consider investing in automation tools. Automation can free up your IT team from routine tasks, so they have time to attend to priorities. These tools also generate data that can be very valuable for a business, and are therefore a worthwhile investment.
Partners in the Fight against Cybercrime
In-house IT staff don’t come cheap, and hiring additional staff can be costly. But, with the increase in cybercrime, it’s not worth overburdening your IT staff or, worse, leaving your IT security to non-professionals. The need for adequate IT staffing to deal with cybersecurity should be built into your IT budget.
There’s a way to solve this problem without hiring extra staff in-house. Outsourcing aspects of your IT management to established professionals will provide you with additional, expert monitoring and support.
Cybersecurity is a burden for most businesses, but the load can be lightened. Allocating financial resources to manage it will be money well spent. Consulting the experts is a cost-effective and time-saving solution. For advice from one of our experts on cybersecurity budgeting and solutions, call Quikteks today at (973) 882-4644.