Just as physical security protects people and property from criminal activity, cyber security prevents cybercriminals and malicious insiders from accessing, disrupting, stealing or damaging computer systems and the information they hold. It includes measures to identify threats, assess risk and enact appropriate responses.
Whether for financial gain, industrial espionage, political or social motives, threat actors are increasingly targeting networks and the computers, servers, mobile devices and other electronic equipment that make them up. As a result, cybersecurity spending is on the rise, with Gartner predicting that it will reach $188 billion in 2023 and $260 billion globally by 2026.
For example, if an attacker reaches a company’s network, they can use tools such as proxies, temporary anonymous dial-up accounts and wireless connections to hide their identity and location, making it difficult for the company or law enforcement to trace them. Moreover, attackers often have the skills, resources and time to quickly erase logs and cover their tracks.
A CISO can address this challenge by implementing clear, comprehensive policies and procedures that outline roles, responsibilities, acceptable use of technology and steps to take when an incident occurs. They can also ensure they have the latest version of antivirus software, a firewall and other basic defenses in place.
A CISO can also improve their organization’s security posture by conducting regular risk assessments, establishing a cybersecurity team, and ensuring they have the most up-to-date and effective practices in place. They can further enhance their security with tools such as encryption, a strong password manager and multi-factor authentication. Finally, they can help reduce the impact of incidents by backing up data and practicing disaster recovery planning. Security Operations Center