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Even as the threat of cyber attacks looms over businesses today, there remains a dangerous ambiguity surrounding the ownership of threat management. Who is responsible for cyber security? Is it a company-wide effort, or should the task be delegated to one specific team or individual? While there are no clear answers to these questions, there are a few things organizations should consider when devising their cyber security programs.
Cyber security involves a comprehensive set of tools, techniques, and strategies designed to safeguard sensitive information. It encompasses several key areas, including network security, information security, and application security.
With cyber threats constantly evolving, cyber security best practices are always changing. An effective cyber security risk management plan requires multiple hands on deck to keep up with shifting requirements.
So the question remains: who is responsible for cyber security in a company? The short answer is a lot of people. But here’s an overview of some of the roles that carry the greatest burden in managing the process.
The CISO is typically the highest-ranking official responsible for cyber security within an organization. Their primary role is to develop and implement a cyber security strategy that aligns with the organization’s goals. This involves setting security policies, overseeing the security team, and ensuring compliance with relevant standards.
In addition, the CISO is tasked with outlining the company’s cybersecurity roadmap, which details long-term goals and short-term initiatives designed to protect digital assets. They lead the response efforts during and after a cyber attack, coordinating with various teams to contain and mitigate the impact. The CISO then reports to the executive team and board of directors on the organization’s security posture.
The IT security manager implements the policies and procedures set by the CISO. They handle the technical aspects of security operations, often leading a team of security professionals who monitor and protect the company’s systems.
This position oversees the security operations center (SOC), making sure it’s capable of detecting and responding to cyber threats. The IT security manager monitors the company’s networks and systems to identify potential security incidents before they get out of hand.
You can think of security analysts as the front-line defenders against cyber threats. Their job is to monitor, analyze, and respond to security incidents as they happen. Security analysts work in the SOC and play an invaluable role in stopping threats in their tracks before they can do significant damage.
As soon as a threat is detected, the security analyst will initiate the incident response process. This looks a little bit different depending on the organization, but it usually involves containing the threat and conducting forensic analysis to better understand the nature of the attack. That way, they can spot weaknesses in the company’s infrastructure and better prepare for the next incident.
Security engineers bring a combination of IT expertise and security principles to the job. They design secure network architectures, making it a point to integrate security into the organization from the ground up. They may develop custom security tools or configure existing technologies to meet the specific needs of the organization.
In some cases, security engineers are also responsible for hardening systems by configuring them to minimize vulnerabilities. This essentially means disabling unnecessary services, applying patches, and setting up firewalls.
Someone has to be responsible for securing the company’s networks, and that’s the network security administrator. They implement and manage the security technologies that protect the network perimeter and internal communications, such as firewalls and VPNs.
For example, by configuring and maintaining firewalls, they help ensure that only authorized users have access to the organization’s network. The network security administrator also deploys intrusion detection and prevention systems (IDPS) to monitor network traffic for malicious activity.
While some roles have much more to do with cyber security than others, getting everyone onboard with the program is key to minimizing incidents and effectively responding to threats that do end up materializing. However, managing a cyber security program of this magnitude requires time and effort.
To truly embed cyber security within your organization, you need to start with the basics. Help employees understand the importance of cyber security and how they play a role in protecting company assets.
This doesn’t mean those in customer service will have the same level of responsibility as those who work directly with the CISO, but by making all employees aware of your company’s cyber security protocols, you can ensure it always remains top of mind.
The importance of training cannot be overstated. Employees should understand the key elements of cyber security, such as how to recognize phishing attacks, the importance of using strong passwords, and how to handle sensitive data the right way.
They should also undergo compliance training and understand how it relates to cyber security. Cover topics like prevention and reporting, emphasizing the need to align with internal and external standards at all times.
For those who haven’t experienced a cyber attack firsthand, it can be difficult to conceptualize what these incidents truly look like. That’s why it’s a good idea to conduct drills and mock scenarios. By practicing their responses, employees will be better equipped to take appropriate action when the real thing occurs.
Employees should never feel hesitant or nervous to discuss cyber security issues with higher-ups. Encouraging open communication about cyber concerns is key to identifying and addressing threats before they turn ugly.
No two organizations operate exactly the same way, and there can be a lot of variation in terms of who handles certain aspects of cyber security. But whatever program you have in place, it’s important to have a trusted partner by your side. No matter who is responsible for cyber security in your organization, Compyl’s cloud-based solutions can help streamline the compliance side of things. Contact us today to see how we can help improve your security posture.
