Cyber Resilience is the new buzzword that the Heads of Information Technology and/or Information Security of enterprises are talking about. Although organizations across the globe are yet to embrace the need to have a full-time information security team, there are many who have started allocating a separate cyber security budget. However, creating strategies for cyber security alone is no longer sufficient to stave off cyber attacks or be prepared for one! In order to ensure that an organization stays one step ahead in the race, Cyber Resilience is what one needs to aim for. So let us break down Cyber Resilience for you. In the simplest terms, Cyber Resilience is the ability of an enterprise to continue to deliver its projected results even in the event of a cyber attack. Cyber resilience is still in its formative years but is rapidly being adopted by enterprises who foresee the impending future of the cyber threat landscape.
What Are the Objectives of Cyber Resilience?
Cyber Resilience is basically building an organization’s immune system to withstand ‘adverse’ cyber events. And while you would think of Cyber Resilience covering only IT systems, one should remember that the Cyber Resilience framework extends to critical infrastructure, societies, business processes, organizations and nation states too. What’s noteworthy here is that these ‘adverse’ cyber events that form the core of implementing a Cyber Resilience strategy could be caused by humans or nature, and be intentional (such as a cyber attack) or unintentional (such as a software update failure), or could be a combination of all the aforesaid factors. The prime objective of building cyber resilience for an organization is to enable it to deliver its projected outcomes at all times, including the time during or after a crisis such as security breach. Cyber Resilience objectives also include the ability to restore the normal delivery mechanisms in the aftermath of a crisis. Additionally, it also includes the ability to modify the mechanisms, if required, in order to combat newer threats.
How is Cyber Resilience Different from Cyber Security?
Cyber Security is a part of Information Security and comprises the processes and technologies required to guard an individual or organization from cyber crimes. Implementing an efficient cyber security strategy helps mitigate the chances of a cyber attack. Cyber Resilience, on the other hand, is a broader concept that incorporates both cyber security as well as business continuity management. This ensures that the organization is prepared to protect itself against cyber attacks and also has a proper response mechanism in the unfortunate event of an attack. Therefore, while cyber security helps keep cyber attacks at bay, Cyber Resilience helps reduce the impact of an attack. In the challenging times that are upon us in terms of cyber vulnerability, it is a robust Cyber Resilience strategy that would be the game changer for organizations to have their heads held high in the event of a cyber attack or data breach!
How to Implement Cyber Resilience at Your Organization?
1. Identification, Protection & Diagnosis
The first step to building the Cyber Resilience framework of an organization is to identify the loopholes and vulnerabilities of its network and information systems, along with those existing in their supply chain too. This phase also involves protecting the enterprise’s information network from cyber attacks, system failures or unauthorized access. In fact, a one-time diagnosis is not enough! One needs to have a constant monitoring in place in order to promptly detect anomalies and potential threats before the damage is already done!
This can be achieved by implementing an Information Security Management System (ISMS) in the organization and conducting regular penetration testing to identify vulnerabilities. ISMS is the sum total of the people, processes, and technologies intended to manage, audit, examine and improve the information security of an organization. When ISMS is combined with routine penetration testing, it significantly enhances the organization’s information security and resistance to cyber attacks.
2. Building a Response Mechanism
A robust Cyber Resilience mechanism can be built only when an organization’s capacity in business continuity management and incident response is created. The response and recovery strategies that are created as a part of an enterprise’s incident response framework is what enables it to bounce back swiftly in the aftermath of an adverse cyber event.
In order to build a robust response mechanism, an enterprise needs to invest their interests in creating a comprehensive Business Continuity Management System (BCMS) and an Incident Response Management Program. Implementing a strong BCMS and Incident Response framework helps an enterprise manage risks efficiently so as to enable the normal functioning of its business-critical roles even in the face of adversity while also facilitating a steady response and recovery from the attack.
Incognito Forensic Foundation – Fortifying your Defense to Cyber Threats
In the years to come, Cyber Resilience is going to be the ultimate fortification for ensuring information security. It shall help reduce financial losses due to a data breach, enable organizations to comply with the latest legal and regulatory requirements, enhance culture and internal processes, and most importantly safeguard their reputation and brand name.
Incognito Forensic Foundation (IFF Lab) is a private forensic lab headquartered in Chennai that has emerged as a venerable name in the cyber and digital forensic domain. With its repertoire of the best-in-class cyber and digital forensic experts and the latest tools & technologies, IFF Lab provides services and solutions for detecting and mitigating potential cyber threats. IFF Lab’s services for Cyber Security Analysis and Assessment are aimed at strengthening the information security framework of an organization while implementing Cyber Resilience strategies. Their methodical approach involves first conducting a cyber health diagnosis of an enterprise and then providing recommendations for reducing vulnerabilities and risks. Organizations can hugely benefit from IFF Lab’s solutions for Data Protection and Information Security by entrusting them with their Cyber Security Incident Response and Business Continuity Management.
