TALKING

Deryck Mitchelson , Field CISO ,

Check Point Software

Prevention-first

While traditional cybersecurity measures primarily focus on threat detection and mitigation , adopting a prevention-first approach is crucial when it comes to shoring up resilience . Resilience refers to an organisation ’ s ability to not only detect and mitigate threats but have real-time visibility over their networks and the ability to anticipate threats and execute rapidresponse measures that reduce or eliminate downtime .

Rather than solely relying on reactive measures , organisations need to proactively build robust defences that can withstand potential attacks . This approach emphasizes the importance of identifying vulnerabilities , implementing strong security controls , and continuously monitoring and improving security practices .

To effectively address the challenges of the digital age , organisations should embrace the three C ’ s and ensure their solution is comprehensive , consolidated , and collaborative .

By reducing the number of disparate solutions and unifying security operations , organisations can achieve greater visibility and control over their security landscape at a time when network footprints are rapidly expanding . This enables more efficient threat detection , response , and recovery processes .

Collaboration highlights the importance of taking a cohesive and joined-up approach to threat detection and mitigation . If one endpoint is compromised , all areas of the organisation , including its software supply chain , must mobilise from a security perspective to ensure the threat is contained and cannot spread laterally within the network or impact customer organisations as part of a supply chain attack .

Real-time threat intelligence from enforcers , cyber analysts , and the broader cybersecurity community must also be pooled to ensure that the most up-to-date threat information is available to all .

Cyber resilience

Comprehensive security measures entail a holistic approach , encompassing all aspects of an organisation ’ s infrastructure , applications , and data . This includes implementing access controls , regular patching , and encryption protocols , among other measures .

Consolidation refers to the integration and centralisation of security tools and technologies . A study conducted by Check Point and Dimensional Research found that 49 % of all organisations use between 6- and 40-point security products , while 98 % of organisations manage their security products with multiple consoles , creating vulnerability gaps and visibility blind spots .

The concept of cyber resilience goes beyond traditional cybersecurity . It encompasses an organisation ’ s ability to withstand and recover from cyberattacks . While cybersecurity focuses on preventing and detecting attacks , resilience aims to build a fortified environment that can withstand potential threats .

It involves building that automated barricade rather than relying on an under-resourced army to detect and respond to attacks .

Resilience acknowledges that no security system is perfect , and breaches can occur despite robust preventive measures . Therefore , organisations must focus on building redundancies , developing incident response plans , and establishing backup and recovery mechanisms to ensure business continuity even in the face of a successful attack .

The modern threat landscape requires businesses to go beyond traditional cybersecurity measures and embrace resilience as a critical component of their security strategies . By adopting a preventionfirst approach , leveraging comprehensive , consolidated , and collaborative security measures , and understanding the importance of cyber resilience , organisations can better protect their assets and mitigate the potential impacts of cyber threats .

As the digital landscape continues to evolve , businesses must stay vigilant , adapt to emerging challenges , and prioritise resilience more than anything else . It is better to build your barricades before your army . p

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