Like humans, businesses also make mistakes. They might get away from some, but will have to pay a hefty price for others. When it comes to cybersecurity, the margin for error is limited. One mistake can sink your business. Making cybersecurity mistakes not only makes your business more vulnerable to cyber attacks but also provides hackers an opportunity to go undetected.<\/p>\n
We have already seen this in the Marriott Hotel Group data breach<\/a>. Not only did hackers successfully steal data of 500 million<\/strong> customers, but they also went undetected for four years. In order to detect cybersecurity threats early, it is important that you identify the root cause and take action to minimize the damage before it is too late. For that, you should avoid making silly cybersecurity mistakes that make a hacker’s job easier.<\/p>\n In this article, you will learn about common cybersecurity mistakes that allow hackers to get away after stealing your sensitive data.<\/p>\n As large-scale enterprises evolve and expand, they go through mergers and acquisitions. Even though it can be financially rewarding, as it can boost your stock prices and enhance your capabilities, it can put your sensitive data at risk and increase complexity. Instead of integrating security controls, businesses keep their security systems isolated.<\/p>\n This allows hackers to launch a cybersecurity attack and get away with sensitive business information. Due to the late detection of threats, businesses don\u2019t even know that they have become a victim of a data breach for years to come. Marriott Hotel’s breach is the best example in that regard. Make it a habit to periodically evaluate your cybersecurity systems and risks. This will allow you to determine which data is sensitive and which is not. When you start seeing your data from that angle, you can easily secure what\u2019s important.<\/p>\n According to a small business cybersecurity report<\/a>, only 52%<\/strong> of businesses have a cybersecurity strategy. Even if your company has one, there are chances that it might be ineffective when it comes to protecting you against all cybersecurity risks. Start by aligning your IT and business goals. With regulations like GDPR enforced, it is important to develop security policies so you can collect, store, and manage customer data securely. Do an in-depth risk assessment and create an asset inventory so you can prioritize your cybersecurity efforts in a much better way.<\/p>\n Establish an alert system that notifies you whenever it finds suspicious activity so you can react quickly to minimize the damage. Take preventive measures that allow you to keep cybersecurity risks at bay. Invest in employee training and development and make it an integral part of your cybersecurity strategy, so your employees can assist you in implementing your cybersecurity strategy instead of becoming a hindrance.<\/p>\n According to the IBM and Ponemon Institute\u2019s Third Annual Study on Cyber Resilient Organization<\/a>, 76% <\/strong>of businesses admitted that they don\u2019t have an incident response plan. Even if your business has an incident response plan, it is most probably flawed. A study<\/a> conducted by Netwrix reveals that 83% <\/strong>of organizations are not sure whether their incident response plan might work or not in real life. What\u2019s even worse is that only 17%<\/strong> of organizations test their incident response plans.<\/p>\n How can you respond to advanced cybersecurity attacks targeting your business in such a situation? If you don\u2019t have an incident response plan, you should create one immediately. Here is a step-by-step process you can follow to create your own incident response plan.<\/p>\n If your business already has one, launch mock attacks to test its effectiveness. Make it an integral part of penetration testing. Tweak your incident response plan from time to time so it can handle future cybersecurity risk<\/a>s.<\/p>\n One of the biggest reasons why most cybersecurity initiatives fail is little to no support from top management. Since strategic direction and resources come from the top, it is important to get the CEO, board members, and top-level executive onboard; otherwise, your cybersecurity efforts will not bear any fruit.<\/p>\n On the contrary, if the CEO and top-level executives buy into cybersecurity and are on the same page as CISOs, then you are more likely to succeed. You will not only get the resources required to meet your staffing and technology needs, but you can also prioritize and respond to emerging cybersecurity<\/a> threats efficiently.<\/p>\n1. Isolated Security Systems<\/h2>\n
2. Poor Cybersecurity Strategy<\/h2>\n
3. No Incident Response Plan<\/h2>\n
\n
4. Little to No Support from Top Executives<\/h2>\n
5. Lack of Accountability<\/h2>\n