Today’s companies need to stay at least one step ahead of cybercriminals by taking a proactive approach to IT security. Preventing a breach, such as a ransomware attack, is better than remediating an attack that has already taken place. By that time, attackers have already shut down systems and compromised or stolen sensitive data.
By following a cybersecurity framework, organizations can move beyond merely implementing security solutions to developing a layered security strategy that proactively defends against threats. The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Cybersecurity Framework provides a model for building your own IT security framework that follows the processes of:- Identify
- Detect
- Protect
- Respond
- Recover
Here is an overview of 5 steps your company can take to build a proactive cybersecurity framework.
Step 1: Define Goals and Objectives
Before building a cybersecurity framework, your company needs to decide what you need to accomplish with it. Consider which types of threats your business faces. The framework should be designed to defend against the attacks you are most likely to experience, whether ransomware, phishing, exploit, DDoS, or other types of attacks.
Set goals for eliminating common vulnerabilities and reducing the number of attacks your organization experiences. Establishing a baseline and setting measurable goals will help you build the right framework and track your progress toward cybersecurity maturity.
Step 2: Assess the Current State of Your Cybersecurity
When developing a cybersecurity framework, evaluate the current state of your IT security. Identify vulnerabilities and define ways of eliminating them. You should determine your company’s level of cybersecurity maturity as part of the assessment process by establishing which parts of the NIST Cybersecurity Framework you already have in place.
Take an inventory of the security tools you are currently using and pinpoint any gaps that need to be filled. During this assessment, you should also take stock of your risk landscape to decide where to focus your defense efforts.
Step 3: Create a Roadmap
Building a successful cybersecurity framework requires developing a plan. The roadmap lays out the sequence of activities your company will go through to implement your framework and put it into action.
The roadmap should include steps for managing risk, deploying security tools, training employees, and checking the performance of the framework. Activities for improving the framework over time and responding to changes in the threat landscape should also be part of your plan.
Step 4: Implement the Framework
While the framework supports an approach to cybersecurity, it needs to be realized using technology solutions. At this stage in building the framework, your company needs to deploy the security tools that will identify, detect, and respond to threats.
These tools should be implemented in a way that doesn’t interrupt production. IT staff may need to be trained on using the new tools.
Step 5: Conduct Continuous Improvement
Building a cybersecurity framework doesn’t end with implementation. Your company needs to use key performance indicators (KPIs) and other metrics to track and evaluate the effectivity of the framework.
Based on findings, your organization should make plans to update and improve the framework regularly. This process of continuous improvement may mean upgrading security tools, choosing new ones, and adjusting security strategies to defend against emerging threats.
A Cybersecurity Framework for Everyone
Your company doesn’t need to be a large enterprise to leverage a cybersecurity framework. Businesses of every size can put together a framework using security solutions and strategies that make sense for them.
At Pegasus Technology Solutions, we offer managed security solutions for companies of all sizes. We believe in delivering enterprise-level service to every business. We take a preventative approach to IT security by providing dedicated security services, such as assessments and testing, to uncover vulnerabilities, identify common threats, and design a roadmap for eliminating risk.
Find out how Pegasus can help your company build a cybersecurity framework. Ask for a proposal for managed security services.
