AUTHOR: Tomi Kervinen, Chief Financial & Operating Officer, SharkGate
In the labyrinth of cyber threats and evolving attack vectors, organisations face a daunting challenge: how to navigate the complex landscape of cybersecurity and fortify their defences against an ever-expanding array of threats. Amidst this uncertainty, cybersecurity frameworks emerge as beacons of guidance, offering structured methodologies and best practices to help organisations establish robust cybersecurity programs.
Among these, established frameworks such as those developed by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and the International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO) stand out as pillars of excellence, providing organisations with a roadmap to navigate the complexities of cybersecurity and build resilience in the face of adversity.
Consider the scenario of a small-to-medium enterprise (SME) grappling with the task of bolstering its cybersecurity posture in the wake of a series of targeted cyber attacks. Faced with limited resources and expertise, the organisation seeks a pragmatic approach to enhance its defences and mitigate the risk of future incidents. In this scenario, adopting a recognised cybersecurity framework offers a structured and systematic methodology to identify, assess, and mitigate cyber risks effectively.
One of the most widely adopted cybersecurity frameworks is the NIST Cybersecurity Framework (CSF), developed by the National Institute of Standards and Technology in response to Executive Order 13636 issued by former US President Barack Obama. The NIST CSF provides organisations with a flexible framework consisting of five core functions – Identify, Protect, Detect, Respond, and Recover – which serve as building blocks for a comprehensive cybersecurity program.
For example, a manufacturing company leverages the NIST CSF to assess its current cybersecurity posture and identify areas for improvement. By conducting a thorough assessment of its assets, vulnerabilities, and threats, the organisation gains insights into its risk exposure and develops targeted strategies to mitigate identified risks. Through the implementation of security controls and best practices outlined in the framework, such as network segmentation, employee training, and incident response planning, the organisation strengthens its resilience against cyber threats and minimises the impact of potential incidents.
Similarly, the ISO/IEC 27001 standard, developed by the International Organisation for Standardisation and the International Electrotechnical Commission, provides organisations with a globally recognised framework for establishing, implementing, maintaining, and continually improving an Information Security Management System (ISMS). By adopting ISO/IEC 27001, organisations can demonstrate commitment to information security best practices and achieve compliance with regulatory requirements.
For instance, a financial services firm seeking to enhance its information security practices adopts ISO/IEC 27001 to establish an ISMS tailored to its unique business requirements and risk profile. Through a systematic approach to risk assessment, risk treatment, and continual improvement, the organisation strengthens its information security posture and instills confidence among stakeholders, including customers, regulators, and business partners.
Moreover, cybersecurity frameworks offer numerous benefits beyond regulatory compliance, including improved risk management, operational efficiency, and stakeholder confidence. By aligning cybersecurity initiatives with recognised frameworks, organisations can leverage industry best practices, benchmarks, and metrics to measure progress and demonstrate the effectiveness of their cybersecurity programs.
Conclusion
Cybersecurity frameworks serve as invaluable tools to guide organisations on their journey to cyber resilience and maturity. By adopting established frameworks such as those developed by NIST and ISO, organisations can establish structured methodologies, best practices, and metrics to navigate the complexities of cybersecurity and build robust defences against evolving threats.
In an era defined by relentless cyber attacks and increasingly sophisticated adversaries, the importance of cybersecurity frameworks as guiding lights in the cybersecurity maze cannot be overstated.
About SharkGate
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This approach enables our clients to be better protected, collectively smarter and ultimately stronger together.
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