By Mark Johnson, Cyber Security Advisor, Telefónica Tech
Imagine uncovering a significant cyber risk during a routine assessment that had gone undetected for months. This scenario is surprisingly common. But the good news is that a proactive approach to cyber risk and governance can swiftly identify vulnerabilities, allowing you to implement effective measures before damage occurs. A simple step like a cyber security maturity assessment can significantly secure your organisation’s future.
In today’s digital landscape, cyber security extends beyond the technical to strategic decision-making, risk management, and governance. By actively assessing cyber risks, CIOs and tech leaders can mitigate potential threats but also inform and refine their overall cyber security strategy, ensuring it aligns with business objectives. This proactive stance transforms cyber risk advisory and governance services from reactive measures into essential components of a resilient IT framework, empowering leaders to navigate complex IT infrastructures with confidence.
According to the UK government’s most recent Cyber Security Breaches Survey, only 22% of businesses have formal incident response plans, while 50% reported experiencing some form of cyber security breach in the past year*. The message is clear: without robust cyber governance, organisations are left vulnerable. For CIOs and IT leaders, navigating these challenges can seem overwhelming, but that’s where cyber risk advisory and governance services come in.
Understanding Cyber Governance and Advisory Services
At its core, cyber governance is about decision-making. It’s about ensuring that your security strategy aligns with your organisation’s broader business objectives. It’s not just about managing technical controls; it’s about making the right calls when it comes to risk, investment, and strategy. This requires a structured framework that allows organisations to assess risks, understand gaps, and ensure that investments are made in the right areas.
Advisory services complement this by providing expert guidance tailored to your unique security challenges. Whether it’s navigating complex regulatory requirements or responding to an immediate threat, cyber risk advisory services offer the expertise to make informed decisions that enhance your organisation’s resilience.
Aligning Cyber security with the NIST Framework
One of the most effective ways to approach cyber risk is by aligning with the NIST Cyber security Framework. This globally recognised framework breaks down cyber security into six core functions: Identify, Protect, Detect, Respond, Recover, and Govern. Each function plays a critical role in building a resilient cyber security programme.
- Identify: Understanding risks and vulnerabilities. Services like vulnerability assessments, threat intelligence, and penetration testing help uncover weaknesses before they’re exploited.
- Protect: Implementing security controls to prevent attacks. This includes securing networks, cloud infrastructure, and applications.
- Detect & Respond: No system is immune to attack. Managed Security Operations Centres (SOCs) and tools like Microsoft Sentinel provide real-time detection and response capabilities to mitigate damage.
- Recover: Recovery plans ensure swift restoration post-incident. Services such as disaster recovery and backup solutions play key roles here.
But the critical function that underpins it all is Govern, ensuring every decision is aligned with both the cyber security needs and the business goals of the organisation.
