Online safety starts with awareness

Dec 09, 2021

New technology

“It's no longer a question of if your company will suffer a cyber attack, but rather when.”

Cybersecurity is no longer just an IT department's priority. Quite the opposite; it's everyone's concern. After all, a cyberattack can have far-reaching consequences not only within the company but also across your entire network.

Online security begins with a sophisticated cybersecurity policy that must be adhered to by everyone in the organization. The policy must be embedded in the structure and supported across the organization. It shouldn't simply be delegated to one department: IT. Everything begins with the management team and the board of directors. They must understand the potential impact of incidents and prioritize cybersecurity. All levels within the company must be aware of the risks and threats and know how to detect and prevent them. And when hackers do strike, it's crucial that everyone knows how to respond.

Technological developments

Between 2019 and 2020, the number of IoT problems doubled, and 5G hasn't even been launched yet. Moreover, the speed of cyberattacks is increasing. Sometimes hackers spend months preparing an attack, only to strike suddenly. Even when you start remediating, it can take several months for all the problems to be resolved. Moreover, there are costs involved. The impact of cybercrime doesn't stop at lost revenue. Customers sometimes have to wait for service, and your reputation can also suffer.

Progress is good, but not without risks. Due to the increasing convergence with technology, the world is becoming increasingly connected, exposing us to more dangers.

Points of interest

The first and most important step is awareness. You must ensure a clear cybersecurity policy is anchored in the corporate strategy. It must be supported top-down so everyone understands its importance. This applies across all three levels of the organization: strategic, tactical, and operational. This ensures everyone is empowered to prevent and manage cyberattacks.
Cybersecurity must be on the (digital) agenda of the CIO and the board of directors and not just parked at IT.
Try to calculate the ROI of cybersecurity and the direct and indirect costs of an attack. This will clarify the added value of a preventive policy.
Look beyond Industry 4.0 and consider Security 4.0. Be proactive so you can respond quickly and appropriately in an emergency.
Consider strategy and corporate governance. Consider what you'll do in the event of an attack. Have a contingency plan.
Set a baseline and have it tested (including through a penetration test).

Awareness is paramount. It should be the foundation of cybersecurity, so everyone within the organization can contribute to a safe working environment, both today and tomorrow.

All our blog posts are created in collaboration with our members and partners.