A Strategic approach to cybersecurity for your business

Posted on by Farayi Dzichauya

This article seeks to equip business leaders with actionable strategies to embed cyber security into their organisation’s culture, governance, and operations. Security is a people process and technology problem so needs a multifaceted approach to embed effectively. Each section of this article includes practical guidance, real-world examples, and implementation steps to enhance resilience by embedding good cybersecurity practices.

I. Cyber Security as a Business Imperative

Cyber security is more than an IT function—it is a strategic necessity. Breaches can disrupt revenue streams, erode customer confidence, and lead to regulatory penalties. It should be viewed as a business enabler.

Key principles include:

  • Operational Resilience: Cyber incidents (e.g., ransomware attacks) can halt operations. Proactive planning should be done to ensure business continuity.
  • Cyber Resilience Framework: Build the ability to protect (e.g., encryption), detect (e.g., anomaly monitoring), respond (e.g., incident playbooks), and recover (e.g., data backups).
  • Board Engagement:
    • Directors must understand cyber threats (e.g., phishing, ransomware) and their business impact (e.g., financial loss, reputational damage).
    • Conduct quarterly briefings with Chief information security Officer(CISO) to align cyber security with business goals.
    • Cross-Functional Responsibility: Cyber security is a shared effort across departments (e.g., HR, Compliance, Legal and Risk).

II. Governance & Cyber Security Integration

To embed cyber security into core business functions:

  • Adopt Recognized Frameworks: Align with ISO 27001 (global information security standard) or NIST CSF (risk management framework).
  • Conduct Risk Assessments: Perform periodic independent audits and third-party penetration tests to uncover vulnerabilities.
  • Develop a Cyber Strategy:
    • Align security with business goals (e.g., securing digital platforms to support revenue growth).
    • Incorporate response plans, employee training, and disaster recovery protocols (e.g., cloud-based backups for critical systems).
  • Enhance Board Oversight:
    • Review bi-annual cyber risk reports, tracking patch management, incident response times, and training completion rates.
    • Establish a Cyber Risk Committee at the board level.
  • Define Responsibilities: Use a RACI matrix (e.g., CISO Responsible, CFO Accountable for cyber security budget approval).

III. Creating a Security-First Culture

A strong security culture moves beyond compliance to shared responsibility:

  • Leadership Involvement: Executives should participate in phishing simulations and discuss cyber risks in company-wide meetings.
  • Security-Integrated HR Policies: Embed cyber security in onboarding (e.g., mandatory training) and offboarding (e.g., instant access revocation).
  • Encourage Incident Reporting: Implement a no-blame reporting culture with anonymous portals. Recognise employees who flag threats.
  • Measure Engagement: Run simulated phishing exercises and Track phishing report rates (goal: 80% employee reporting) vs. phishing click rates; incentivise top-performing teams.
  • Simplify Communication: Use clear, action-oriented security policies (e.g., “Lock screens when away” vs. “Enforce workstation security protocols”).

IV. Building Cyber Talent & Expertise

Closing the cyber skills gap requires proactive workforce development:

  • Skills Assessment: Work with HR to identify gaps in security capabilities (e.g., cloud security, threat intelligence) using the NICE Framework.
  • Upskilling & Certifications:
    • Offer sponsorship for CISSP, CISM, and other relevant certifications.
    • Establish partnerships with universities for internship and apprenticeship programs.
  • Cyber Expertise in Leadership: Recruit a Cyber-Savvy Non-Executive Director to advise on threats and cyber-related challenges.
  • Diversity in Cyber Teams: Hire professionals with varied backgrounds (e.g., ethical hackers, behavioral psychologists for social engineering defense).

V. Identifying & Protecting Critical Assets

Organisations should prioritise cyber spending appropriately focusing on areas that have the most business impact:

  • Asset Management: Use CMDB (Configuration Management Database) to track and validate all IT assets monthly.
  • Business-Driven Protection: Secure assets linked to strategic goals (e.g., customer databases for CX-focused businesses).
  • Clear Ownership: Assign asset custodians (e.g., IT for infrastructure, Marketing for CRM platforms).
  • Third-Party Security: Assess vendor risk (e.g., SaaS providers) by requiring security certifications like SOC 2.

VI. Threat Intelligence & Industry Collaboration

Proactive security involves monitoring and sharing intelligence:

  • Threat Landscape Reviews: Conduct quarterly cross-functional threat assessments (e.g., legal, IT, operations).
  • Sector Partnerships: Join ISACs (Information Sharing and Analysis Centers) to exchange real-time threat intelligence.
  • Executive Summaries: Present top threats (e.g., supply chain vulnerabilities) and mitigation strategies to leadership teams quarterly.

VII. Cyber Risk as a Business Risk

Cyber risk should be integrated into overall enterprise risk management:

  • Define Risk Appetite: Establish clear tolerances (e.g., “Low-risk vulnerabilities must be mitigated within 30 days”).
  • Unified Risk Register: Track cyber risks alongside operational and financial risks.
  • Security Sign-Off: Require cyber risk assessments for all major projects.
  • Emerging Tech Considerations: Assess security implications for AI, quantum computing, and other initiatives.

VIII. Implementing a Layered Defense Strategy

A defense-in-depth approach ensures robust security:

  • Key Security Controls: Deploy firewalls, endpoint detection (EDR), encryption, and multi-factor authentication (MFA).
  • Continuous Monitoring: Utilize SIEM tools (e.g., Splunk) for real-time threat detection.
  • Executive Dashboards: Track metrics like mean time to detect (MTTD) and mean time to respond (MTTR) to cyber incidents.
  • User-Centric Security: Reduce friction by designing security tools with employees in mind (e.g., password managers).

IX. Securing the Supply Chain

Third-party security risks must be actively managed:

  • Vendor Security Requirements: Mandate cyber security certifications (e.g., ISO 27001) and conduct annual audits.
  • Simulated Attacks: Run supply chain cyber exercises (e.g., compromised vendor email scenarios).
  • Ongoing Monitoring: Use Security Scorecard to track supplier cyber risk ratings.

X. Incident Readiness & Recovery

A well-defined response strategy minimises downtime and reputational damage:

  • Predefined Roles: Assign incident response responsibilities (e.g., PR handles communications, IT isolates compromised systems).
  • Tabletop Exercises: Test the incident response plan biannually to refine reaction speed and efficiency.
  • Regulatory Compliance: Ensure adherence to GDPR, NIS Directive, and industry-specific regulations.
  • Crisis Communication Plan: Prepare pre-approved messaging for customers, regulators, and media.
  • Post-Incident Analysis: Conduct root cause analysis and update security controls accordingly.

Cyber Security Implementation Checklist

✅ Conduct a cyber risk assessment.
✅ Appoint a board-level cyber champion.
✅ Launch quarterly employee cyber awareness training.
✅ Establish a vendor risk management program.

By embedding these strategies, organisations can shift cyber security from a technical concern to a competitive advantage, ensuring long-term resilience and stakeholder trust.