Unlocking the value of governance to make security simple and effective

Executive Summary 

Companies cannot prevent cyberattacks just by installing the latest security technology and significantly investing in security tools. What often is ignored is the importance of properly implementing governance and compliance processes, and of having experienced cybersecurity staff on the job. Given these circumstances, it’s no wonder incidents and attacks continue to occur at a rapid pace.

The consequences of cyberattacks can be devastating, with damages that may include data loss, monetary impact, harm to brand reputation and customer exodus. Over half of organizations have reported suffering a ransomware attack that blocked access to systems or data, and 1 in 5 wind up paying a six-figure ransom.

Businesses must constantly ask themselves if they have the foundations of their security program right. Among the questions to consider are:

• Have you identified processes to prioritize the most pressing vulnerabilities to address among the thousands that need to be remediated?
• Are cybersecurity teams and IT in lockstep as to how to orchestrate remediation processes?
• Is the review of security control configurations automated in an era where security monitoring must be in place 24x7x365?
• Are cybersecurity solutions working properly together?
• Has time and energy been devoted to training employees, building awareness and testing on an ongoing basis?

Take a better approach to security

One major challenge for businesses is the difficulty they face hiring top cybersecurity talent, which is at a premium today. Companies should consider calling in cybersecurity services providers to help them create a more mature security posture.

Enterprises can significantly improve their stance by engaging with providers with long-standing records in managing and securing complex IT estates – those who are experts in determining where to focus efforts and are vested in their customers’ success and protection. Security partners should be able to assess your environment to potentially cull exposures that are not readily apparent; create a playbook with a strategy and process for remediating issues; and identify key data to recover in order to continue minimal viable operations if necessary. They should be able to provide an end-to-end approach for integrated protection – with security embedded in everything the company does across the entire IT estate, including cloud.

A new white paper from IDC, Unlocking the Value of Governance to Make Security Simple and Effective, explores the issues around building a smart security strategy and foundation. The paper, sponsored by DXC Technology, discusses the need now, more than ever, for a proactive and effective cybersecurity program, as cyberattacks and cybercrime are rising exponentially.