Keeping the confidential data of an organization safe is a complex task, even on a good budget. Most organizations understand the need to build defenses and develop policies to reduce the risk of a successful cyber attack. However, a major problem is that many companies do not rigorously test these defenses. In this article we are going to show the benefits of executing cybersecurity exercises in companies. Generally, cybersecurity exercises refer to activities that improve the preparedness of employees in countering dangerous cybersecurity threats.
With the growing number of cybercriminals looking for targets, it is not surprising that recently major organizations like Nintendo, Twitter, Marriott and Zoom have suffered data breaches. This situation shows us that no one is safe from cybercriminals or even those with the most important resources. Therefore, carrying out certain cybersecurity exercises in companies is essential.
The benefits of performing cybersecurity exercises
Without a doubt, one of the best ways to determine the strengths and weaknesses of a company is by running security drills regularly.
Cybersecurity exercises are useful simulations of specific cyber attack scenarios that allow companies to gain vital information about their response to an attack. Through short, basic tests, or complex attacks more or less sustained over time, they can provide a way to verify that your defensive strategy is effective. It is also a way to discover vulnerabilities that need a quick fix.
But to better understand how these activities work, getting familiar with the two types of cybersecurity exercises—theoretical and functional—is important. The theoretical type of these exercises involves tackling the organizational tasks and training to make specific managerial decisions. Meanwhile, the functional type of cybersecurity exercises requires technicians to use a simulated environment to carry out and practice actions if an incident happens. Despite the different functions of these two types of cybersecurity exercises, both can be beneficial to companies.
While this is a relevant thing to do, 74% of ISF Benchmark participants commented that they did not subject their critical systems in development to cyber-attack simulations or exercises. Presumably, this is because we see cybersecurity exercises as time consuming and expensive to perform. However, if we plan them properly, there need be no problems.
Next, we are going to indicate the points where we can focus these cybersecurity exercises.
Identification of strengths, response improvement and staff training
In addition to discovering weaknesses during cybersecurity exercises, it is also important to know what works well in our company. Those strengths can be emulated elsewhere, and effective employees can help train other workers. Thanks to this kind of exercise, it gives us the opportunity to improve our response to an attack. You can support our strategy or point out that we need a new plan. In any case, whether improving our current strategy, or creating a new one, we will gain in security.
Employee training using cybersecurity exercises gives them the practical experience needed to deal with an attack. Thus, they can teach workers the correct way to respond to an incident, minimizing the harm caused by the said attack.
Costs, external needs and expectations
As we prepare for an attack, many assumptions and estimates are made about what resources are required and how long it will take to resume normal operations. Cybersecurity exercises present a clearer picture of the costs and timelines involved for any financial justification that may be required.
On the other hand, although the company is very important, it is not realistic to maintain a team capable of handling any attack scenario without external assistance. We must determine when we will need outside help, its cost, and how quickly we can get it. This is where outsourcing cybersecurity services to professionals enters the picture. Unless your internal team consists of experts, you certainly need a service provider specializing in IT Support Melbourne or wherever you may be located. They have the experience, expertise, and tools that can help you carry out cybersecurity exercises seamlessly and without trouble.
In addition, you have to set expectations about how quickly different aspects of an attack should be handled. Apart from this, the data collected when the attack ends must be taken into account for the development of the future strategy.
Weaknesses, policy update, threat search
In the event that there are security failures in our network or in the security controls, thanks to cybersecurity exercises we will be able to discover them. In this way, thanks to the identification of weaknesses, we will be able to draw up remediation plans and act immediately to be safe as soon as possible. Also, we need to update our policies to make them more effective. Thus, by establishing good incident response policies, we will drastically reduce the potential damage that a cyber attack can cause.
We must also review the potential cost of failing to comply with legal, regulatory or contractual requirements, even if inadvertently. By conducting cybersecurity exercises, we can help uncover areas of non-compliance by giving ourselves the opportunity to correct them. On the other hand, we must increase knowledge about the threats. Both the board of directors and employees must be aware of the nature of cyberattacks, as threats can be catastrophic for the company. If the risks are not recognized, then when something happens the problem is much greater.
Finally, thanks to the practice of cybersecurity exercises it is possible to improve, we must accept that the tests play an important role in the preparation of the defense. Without these exercises, it would be much easier for cybercriminals to gain access to companies’ information security. So, it’s best to keep the information mentioned above in mind to know and understand the importance of cybersecurity exercises in keeping the organization’s IT infrastructure safe.
