How a cybersecurity culture changes the course of a company

We all know that cybersecurity is extremely important for businesses, but what not all companies remember is the importance of creating a cybersecurity culture.

According to data from Check Point Research, global attacks increased by 28% in the third quarter of 2022 compared to the same period in 2021. The average number of weekly attacks per organization worldwide reached more than 1,130. Currently, the question is no longer IF we will be attacked, but WHEN we will be attacked . It is a fact that hackers never sleep and are always on the lookout, trying to breach the systems of any company they can. Also in this research, regarding statistics on Brazil, the survey by the CPR division indicated that, on average, organizations in the country were attacked 1,484 times weekly, a 37% increase compared to the third quarter of 2021.

Therefore, building and establishing the importance of cybersecurity in the routine actions of the entire organization becomes natural. The best approach is to show all employees that security adds value to the company's results, especially when it comes to company data and also customer data, to which they have entrusted their information 

Another key point is providing security expertise, training, and development to teams that are, for whatever reason, at high risk of attack. This allows companies to have the right people in areas where the company most needs valuable protection.

How to create a cybersecurity culture

When we think about cybersecurity, it's common to think of technical measures such as antivirus software, firewalls, intrusion prevention systems, etc. This isn't incorrect, but cybersecurity goes far beyond basic measures to help protect businesses. It also involves the everyday actions that each person takes to prevent something bigger from happening. 

Just imagine: you receive an email from an unknown sender, click the link, nothing happens, and you go about your life. Days later, you discover that a hacker was silently "infiltrating" your network using your cloud without you realizing it. How did you find out?! They spent an exorbitant amount on your cloud provider, and now you're the one paying the bill.  

It is entirely possible to create a cybersecurity culture within a company. A key point to emphasize from the outset is reminding everyone that cybersecurity is not just a technical responsibility, but also a cultural one. It is important that all employees are aware of cyber risks and the importance of protecting company data. This includes training and raising employee awareness to identify and avoid cyber threats, as well as a clear cybersecurity policy to ensure everyone is aligned with the company's security objectives.

According to a recent publication by the Forbes Technology Council, the key to creating an influential cybersecurity culture is recognizing that people can represent a formidable first line of defense in protecting against cyberattacks. 

Hackers' gateway

The primary entry point for hackers into companies is usually through security vulnerabilities in the company's systems and applications. This includes software vulnerabilities, such as security flaws in the operating system or applications, as well as hardware vulnerabilities, such as security flaws in network devices. 

A recent Verizon report (Data Breach Investigation Report – 2022) reinforces the information that employee behavior continues to be a critical factor in an organization's cybersecurity, as 82% of data breaches in 2021 involved a "human element." To err is human, especially when we talk about actions that we are not always sure or aware can directly affect the functioning of a business system.

It is important to have a greater focus on keeping systems and applications updated and quickly patching any vulnerabilities discovered. In addition, it is important to implement robust security measures such as encryption, user authentication, endpoint protection, and security monitoring to protect against attacks.

Security tools are fundamental to the cybersecurity defense line, as they provide the necessary technical measures to protect the company against cyber threats. However, it is equally important to have a training plan focused on awareness, as it helps ensure that all employees are aware of cyber risks, allows them to detect attacks, and knows how to act safely. This includes training on how to identify and avoid cyber threats, as well as training on the company's cybersecurity policy.

The chances of companies becoming increasingly data-driven and cybersecurity-focused in the coming years are high, demanding a comprehensive security ecosystem. With the growing amount of data generated and stored digitally, companies are striving to collect, store, and analyze this data efficiently to gain valuable insights. 

Furthermore, with the increased risks of cyberattacks and data breaches, companies are focusing on strengthening their cybersecurity to protect their systems and data. This makes having a data protection-oriented culture crucial, regardless of the company's size.

Where to begin?

As the focus on digital media grows, cybercrimes increase proportionally. With digital demands and processes becoming ever greater, the field of opportunity for criminals expands even further. According to McKinsey research, at the current rate of growth, damages caused by cyberattacks will reach approximately US$10.5 trillion annually by 2025—a 300% increase compared to 2015 levels. Hackers are constantly developing new types of attacks and intrusion techniques, so it is important to always be vigilant and stay updated on the latest threats. This includes following the latest industry trends, as well as engaging in cybersecurity communities to share knowledge and learn about new threats. Furthermore, it is important to have threat monitoring and detection tools to quickly identify and respond to any attack.

Effective cybersecurity planning should begin with a risk analysis to identify the key cyber risks faced by the company. This should include an assessment of critical systems and applications, as well as the company's confidential information. 

Based on this risk analysis, a cybersecurity strategy should be developed that includes technical measures such as network encryption, firewalls, user authentication, and security monitoring, as well as awareness measures such as training and cybersecurity policies. Furthermore, it is important to have a cyber incident response plan to ensure the company is prepared to handle any cyber threat.

By taking the right approach and relying on an IT infrastructure, employees become a highly effective source of security control. The key step in creating an influential cybersecurity culture is recognizing that people are a priority in protecting against cyberattacks, working in conjunction with the tools.

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Written by Skyone