Many businesses are in a state of panic these days due to the constant threat of cyber-attacks. However, the reality is that most companies don’t get hacked most of the time, as hackers tend to focus their efforts primarily on high-yield targets. That means striving for cybersecurity perfection is unnecessary for most companies. In fact, perfection is the enemy of progress in cybersecurity and striving for it will ultimately be detrimental to innovation and productivity.
The key is to take a measured, strategic approach to cybersecurity and focus only on the risks that matter most to the hacker. Companies can set milestones in the lifecycle of new apps and products they’re developing to reveal the correct time to introduce robust cybersecurity measures and benchmark themselves to ensure they remain above the industry average for ‘hackability’.
It is important to ensure security is not the most important part of a business. Yes, cybersecurity threats are rising, and a solid security strategy should be implemented in every organisation, however, it’s vital that overzealous cybersecurity practices don’t threaten the ability of companies to innovate, take risks and embrace new technology. Security experts can often become overwhelmed with the sheer volume of information they have to deal with, leading to a disproportionate reaction that can have unintended negative impacts on other parts of a business.
The key points to remember when dealing with cybersecurity are:
1. Striving for cybersecurity perfection is unnecessary for most companies.
2. Take a measured, strategic approach to cybersecurity and focus only on the risks that matter most to the hacker.
3. Ensure security is not the most important part of a business.
4. Security experts should avoid a disproportionate reaction when dealing with cybersecurity threats.
5. A healthy dose of paranoia is always a good thing, but practising moderation and reason is the most sensible, sustainable way to establish strong cybersecurity foundations.