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Detecting and Preventing Security Risks

Detecting and Preventing Security Risks

Data security and network safety have become serious concerns for companies across almost every industry, but those who face the greatest risk in the event of a breach, like healthcare and financial organizations, have begun taking security measures into their own hands. By hiring IT teams who specialize in security issues, by contracting with outside vendors and security consultants, and by investing in software products that handle encryption and support firewall protections, company decision makers are taking a new approach to security and treating data protection with a growing level of respect. This is a serious bottom line issue with a powerful impact on company reputation and credibility, and CIOs are taking extra measures to stay ahead of increasingly sophisticated hackers and cyber-attacks.

If you’re a network or IT manager with an influence over your organization’s approach to cyber security, keep these considerations in mind.

Begin with an Audit

Don’t wait for a breach or an assault to highlight weaknesses in your security system. Conduct a safety audit at least once per year. As you do so, assess your IT supply chain integrity and closely examine security threats in every workflow throughout your organization. Before you waste money on excessive, overbuilt security solutions that don’t target your actual weaknesses, explore every link in your data management process.

Focus on Remediation, Not Just Prevention

It’s estimated that in terms of resource allocation, the vast majority of costly security controls are implemented with prevention in mind. About 80 percent of most cyber security budgets are poured into preventative measures, while only 20 percent are spent on monitoring efforts and responses to identified security problems. Consider reassessing this ratio and increasing the balance in favor of remediation. Anti-virus measures, encryption, and authentication are only one part of the larger picture, and a balanced approach between detection and response can better inhibit sophisticated and well-funded attackers.

Staffing, Teamwork, and Delegation

Hiring a powerful security team with specialized skill sets and proven core competencies can also help you stay a step ahead of potential system threats. One branch of your team can handle control design, implementation, and assurance, and another can work to make sure your information security system supports your business goals. For IT staffing support that can meet all of your organization’s network security needs, contact the experts at Techneeds.