Many times, CISOs implement security solutions based on blind trust. However, with rising cybercrimes, they cannot go on blind faith. They should evaluate a few key components to identify the right solution. Jesper Zerlang, CEO, Logpoint, explains four key components CISOs should evaluate.
Far too often, it is assumed that because a cybersecurity product is expensive, widely used, or comes with a recognizable brand name, it is automatically the right choice for an organization. But in the current threat landscape, this “blind trust†approach is not just frivolous but also dangerous. Cybersecurity Ventures projects global cybercrime costs to grow 15% year-over-yearOpens a new window , eventually reaching $10.5 trillion annually by 2025. The question is no longer if a cyberattack will occur but when. The cybersecurity tools companies have in place can be the difference between a successful incident response or a financial and PR nightmare.
As threat actors become more sophisticated and better funded, organizations cannot assume they are protected by their cyber technology stack. CISOs must take the time to thoroughly audit every solution, both legacy and new, to understand its effectiveness before a breach occurs. They should also educate their fellow executive board members, as CISOs are no longer solely responsible for an organization’s cybersecurity health. According to GartnerOpens a new window , by 2026, at least half of all C-suite executives will have performance requirements related to risk built into their employment contracts. By evaluating four key components, organizations can identify and deploy the right products to maximize their incident response time while minimizing impact.Â
1. Holistic visibility that provides detailed insights into the big picture
As industries undergo digital transformation, organizations have become intricate mosaics of technologies and business applications. While this advanced level of connection provides new opportunities for innovation, it also creates an explosion of data and unexpected data vulnerabilities. As such, a modern cybersecurity strategy requires a holistic view of an organization’s entire security posture to ensure comprehensive protection.
CISOs should seek out solutions that provide comprehensive visibility for advanced monitoring capabilities. By aggregating data from cybersecurity solutions like SIEM and SOAR, businesses can gain granular insights into specific endpoints, devices, and networks while understanding the organization’s overall cyber health. In doing so, CISOs gain both a broader view of their infrastructure and a more detailed one. When combined with zero trust architecture, organizations’ defenses can be bolstered both inside and out. According to Gartner’s report mentioned above, “60% of organizations will embrace Zero Trust as a starting point for security by 2025. More than half will fail to realize the benefits.†Comprehensive integration allows CISOs to bridge this gap and reach the full potential of their technology. Â
Holistic integrations also allow them to automate detection and incident response processes while alleviating responsibility for already strained IT and security teams. Through a comprehensive approach powered by technology, organizations can respond to a data breach faster and more efficiently. Data breaches can often go unnoticed for weeks, if not months, costing companies every second along the way. Comprehensive detection and remediation solutions can be the key to an orderly and rapid response.Â
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2. Cost-effective for organizational alignment
While cybersecurity is a vital component of any organization, it should not break the bank. When auditing potential cybersecurity solutions, organizations must conduct thorough research to ensure the product aligns with the company’s financial needs as well as its cyber needs. This includes uncovering potential hidden costs that could arise from future upgrades, product add-ons, and more. Throughout its lifecycle, a single security solution can cost companies far more than the initial purchase or renewal fee. Security leaders should also evaluate their existing technology stack to uncover opportunities for streamlining. Oftentimes, the work completed by multiple legacy products can be efficiently and effectively done by a single new one, saving valuable capital in the process.
Before making a final decision, CISOs should also develop a deployment roadmap to ensure all stakeholders are on the same page regarding schedule, KPIs, and costs. This roadmap alignment ensures leadership understands exactly what a successful implementation looks like to deliver ROI satisfaction and minimize deployment frustration within the C-suite. A seamless deployment could pave the way for additional cybersecurity funding in the future.
3. Built to support ongoing compliance and flexibility
For many organizations, the need for stringent compliance is the ultimate driver to investigate new cybersecurity solutions, especially considering how fines, penalties, and legal fees can cause the cost of a data breach to skyrocket. Subsequently, any new cybersecurity solution must support organizations’ compliance strategies to keep up with the strictest data privacy regulations, including EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), and Schrems II. No single solution can magically make a company compliant, but it can certainly bolster its efforts.Â
It is important to remember that government regulations and guidelines can and will evolve over time, especially as the nature of cyber attacks, consumer rights, and corporate digital capabilities evolve. When selecting a cybersecurity product, CISOs must understand how the product vendor plans to respond to these potential changes and if it will require additional funding or system updates on their part. If a product has not been updated for over a year, it is a red flag that the vendor has no plans to keep up with the times. The right cybersecurity solution will be flexible enough to help companies effortlessly adjust to data privacy regulation changes, no matter what lies ahead.
4. Reliable support when it matters most
When a new cybersecurity product is purchased, organizations are not just adding a new solution to their technology stack but also adding a new partner to their ecosystem. It is up to CISOs to ensure each additional cybersecurity partner can deliver reliable 24/7 support, especially during an attack when every second counts.
CISOs should check industry reports like Gartner for customer service and support ratings when auditing potential products. This includes ensuring cybersecurity partners are equipped with the right crisis teams. In today’s climate, it is important to have security and forensics analysts available on the support team to help customers investigate and remediate sophisticated, multi-vector threats. By doing their due diligence before making a purchase, CISOs can ensure they will be armed with a world-class support team should a cyber attack occur.Â
Aligning Company Needs With Powerful Cybersecurity Products
With so many options available in the market, organizations no longer have to rely on a “blind trust†approach to cybersecurity. But this increase in options can often leave CISOs with choice paralysis. But with the right approach, they can make the right choice for their business.Â
By taking the time to thoroughly audit cybersecurity solutions on their holistic capabilities, ROI, compliance, and customer support capabilities, CISOs can identify the solution set that meets their needs and goals. In doing so, they set their company up for seamless technology deployment and a powerful cybersecurity strategy that fosters success for years to come.Â
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