Building Cyber Resilience

Cybersecurity is no longer just the domain of an organization's IT team. It is now a top agenda item for all C-suites and boards of directors. In a January 2024 report, the World Economic Forum ranks cybersecurity threats ("cyber insecurity") in the top 10 risks that threaten the world over the next decade-along with climate change, biodiversity loss, natural resource shortages, economic and social inequality, technological disruptions, geopolitical risks, misinformation and disinformation, extreme weather events, and public health crises.

Cybersecurity threats and cyber warfare are now part of nearly everyone's daily life. Governments worldwide are responding with new cyber regulations, like GDPR, NIS, and NIS2, and holding those in leadership roles responsible for their organization's cybersecurity. Because executives can now be found liable, boardroom discussions are frequently around the topic of resiliency and how the organization should adapt and learn from cybersecurity incidents.

The Main Drivers of Cybersecurity Change

Three main drivers are responsible for the recent change in cybersecurity: the explosion in data volumes, the increased speed of innovation, and the growth of the interconnectivity of digital applications and ecosystems.

Data management is important because of the volume of data that needs to be handled. There is much more data today because there are so many more connections-not just among people but with machines and devices. And it's being accelerated by artificial intelligence. For example, generative AI (GenAI) uses lots of data, but it also, as its name implies, generates a lot of data.

Reaction speed is another variable that has driven change because it is usually triggered by external factors (for example, a geopolitical situation, a pandemic, or a business realignment). How and how quickly an organization reacts to a cyberattack will determine its success now and in the future.

As a result of interconnectivity, a cyberattack can now have a huge impact on an organization's entire ecosystem, including the final customer. The chain of events could be dictated by changes in regulations, geopolitical situations, and cyber warfare.

The Challenges Due to the Changes

From an operational view, many organizations are now outsourcing applications, so more departments are using software in the cloud. This begs the question, "How well protected is that software?" Within the cybersecurity industry, this is known as the supply chain problem. Therefore, supply chains are no longer just the physical movement of goods.

From an operational view, many organizations are now outsourcing applications, so that more departments are using software in the cloud, which begs the question, "How well protected is that software?" Within the cybersecurity industry, this is known as the "supply chain problem." Therefore, supply chains are no longer just the physical movement of goods.

Resiliency Plans

An organization's C-suite must drive the development of a business continuity plan, a disaster recovery plan, and the organization's ability to acquire and distribute cyber knowledge. This is the foundation of a successful resiliency response to a cyberattack. An organization must have procedures in place so that employees know what to do and how to recover, learn, and adapt.

One key step in innovation today is including cybersecurity at the start of design and development. Having security in the initial build of a product, process, or project is much easier, more effective, and cheaper than bolting it on at the tail end of development.

The concept of cybersecurity by design is now realistic. A decade ago, the industry was just talking about it, but today, we are realizing it and understanding why it's important to have it in technology, processes, and people. We must also continue educating employees on potential threats and improving their awareness of cyber hygiene.

Keeping the Organization Running

CISOs and the rest of their organization's leadership must balance technological innovation and business strategy, and create resiliency plans to respond to a broad range of cybersecurity threats via a policy supported by the three essential pillars of people, process, and technology.

Fortinet offers free cybersecurity training to ensure everyone has a baseline of understanding. We also play an active role in the World Economic Forum's Cybersecurity Learning Hub, which offers career resources for learners of all levels, ranging from entry-level training to technical-oriented, higher-level courses for current professionals.