There are always threats to the ability of your business to operate, no matter what type you run. Cyber threats are one of the most common and damaging issues that every business must deal with. It takes money and time to recover from a cyber-attack, and some businesses will never be able to bounce back.
Do you have the necessary cybersecurity protocols in place to prevent malware, data leaks and ransomware? Cybersecurity is a critical component of every business continuity plan, as no organization can be immune from cyber-attacks.
The Critical Elements of Cybersecurity-Focused Business Continuity
In order to ensure that your business is resilient in the face a cyber-attack, you must address several important points:
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How to protect infrastructure and data against attacks and reduce the likelihood of an assault
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Reduce the impact of incidents to your business, reputation and future functions
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Comply with the legal and regulatory requirements of your industry
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Managing the data and resources necessary to continue business operations
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Communication protocols
Effective business continuity planning involves assessing risks and determining their potential impact, as well as finding ways to mitigate those effects and reduce the likelihood of disruptions.
What your business needs to do
To avoid the damaging effects of a cyberattack, your company needs to strengthen its defenses. By incorporating specific mitigation techniques in your continuity framework, you can reduce vulnerabilities and be better positioned to stop bad actors.
This approach includes addressing the human aspect of cybersecurity. A culture of security awareness can be created by a comprehensive, continuous education on cybersecurity threats. This gives your team a sense of ownership in their role to keep the business running. The cybersecurity plan must include policies that encourage secure behavior in addition to the training.
The National Institute of Standards and Technology Framework is used by many businesses to develop security strategies. The NIST framework asks businesses to:
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Real-time protection for systems and data, including access control, firewalls and encryption, as well as platform and data security protocols
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Determine the best response strategy by detecting system infiltration.
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Use a variety approaches to respond to attacks and mitigate damage
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Recover after the attack by implementing specific strategies as part of your business continuity plan
A business continuity plan goes beyond an insurance policy. A thoughtful approach to cybersecurity is more important now than ever, considering how dependent even small businesses are on digital technology and constant connectivity. Cybercriminals have become increasingly sophisticated, as has the threat landscape. Plan to protect your business today.
