The State of Email Security report by Mimecast highlights the challenges faced by the C-suite in managing cyber risks, especially email-based threats such as phishing, ransomware, and BEC attacks. While the C-suite acknowledges the severity of cyber risks, there is a significant gap between awareness and action, with only 53% of respondents stating that their C-suite leaders are highly engaged in cybersecurity matters. The report emphasises the need for increased engagement, education, and collaboration between IT teams and the C-suite to effectively safeguard organisations against email-based attacks. Cybersecurity is a business risk that requires active involvement from the C-suite, including CEOs, CFOs, CIOs, and CISOs, to ensure that the organisation’s critical assets are protected.
The Mimecast report reveals that the C-suite has a high level of awareness about cyber risks associated with email, with over 90% of the surveyed IT decision-makers believing that their C-suite executives are concerned about the potential impact of email-based attacks on their organisations. However, only 39% believe that their C-suite leaders have a good understanding of email security best practices. This underscores the need for continuous education and training on cyber risks and best practices, especially for C-suite executives who may not have a technical background. Organisations should prioritise cybersecurity awareness programs that cater to the C-suite and provide them with the necessary knowledge and skills to make informed decisions about cybersecurity strategies, investments, and risk mitigation measures.
The Mimecast report also highlights the importance of cyber risk governance and accountability in the C-suite. According to the survey, 60% of the respondents believe that their C-suite executives are held accountable for cybersecurity incidents in their organisations. However, only 29% of the respondents believe that their C-suite leaders have clear metrics and KPIs to assess the effectiveness of their cybersecurity programs. This indicates the need for organisations to establish robust cyber risk governance frameworks that clearly define roles, responsibilities, and accountability for cybersecurity at the C-suite level.
The report emphasises the need for open communication channels and regular interactions between IT teams and the C-suite to ensure that cybersecurity risks are properly understood, assessed, and addressed at the highest level of the organisation. The C-suite should actively seek input from IT and security teams, and IT teams should provide relevant information in a clear and concise manner that resonates with the C-suite’s strategic priorities. Investments in advanced email security technologies should also be prioritised to effectively mitigate email-based cyber risks.
J2 Software, a cyber security focused technology business founded in 2006, offers managed cyber security services for every business. The company’s hand-picked solutions are combined with its services to provide complete visibility over its customers’ environment, while reducing risk and lowering costs. J2 Software is helping improve the cyber resilience of its customers and provides services to more than 350 customers on 4 continents.
Key points:
– Cybersecurity is a top priority for organisations of all sizes, and the C-suite plays a critical role in managing and mitigating cyber risk.
– The Mimecast report highlights the challenges faced by the C-suite in safeguarding their organisations against email-based cyber threats.
– There is a significant gap between awareness and action, with only 53% of respondents stating that their C-suite leaders are highly engaged in cybersecurity matters.
– Cybersecurity education and training, cyber risk governance and accountability, collaboration between IT teams and the C-suite, and investments in advanced email security technologies are crucial in effectively mitigating email-based cyber risks.
– J2 Software offers managed cyber security services for every business, providing complete visibility over its customers’ environment, while reducing risk and lowering costs.