The days of debating over the importance of cybersecurity are long gone. If you don't see the need to implement cybersecurity measures to protect your network or system, you might learn the hard way.
Falling victim to a cyberattack can be devastating. Regrets may set in. But unfortunately, it’d be too late.
Are you willing to set and achieve your cybersecurity goals? Here's how to set and achieve realistic goals.
What Is Cybersecurity?
Cybersecurity refers to a set of defenses put in place to protect interconnected devices including software and hardware as well as the data stored in them from cyber threats.
Cybersecurity exists on the premise of cyber threats. The information stored on your system is valuable. And as a result of that, it may be targeted by attackers who would go to any length to gain unauthorized access.
Suffice to say that, without cybersecurity, computer systems and networks would be unsecured and exposed to all forms of attacks.
Cybersecurity has become more important than ever as more people use the internet to enhance their businesses, jobs, and everyday lives. Rather than store data in devices that are limited to physical locations, it’s more convenient to store such info in the cloud for remote access.
Why Is Cybersecurity Important?
Cybersecurity is a buzzword that’s often thrown around. Everyone has an idea of what it means. But when it comes down to specifics, a lot of people can't say why cybersecurity is important besides that it protects our systems.
Understanding the importance of cybersecurity gives a clear picture of why you should treat it as a matter of urgency.
Increasing Cybercrime
In the past, high-profile cyberattacks were targeted at big companies and influential people. But anyone can be a victim.
Cybercriminals are after sensitive data that they can exploit. It doesn’t matter who owns such information. If it would serve their aim, they want it.
The bottom line is, no one is too small to be attacked. As long as you are online, your personal information is a gold mine to cybercriminals so it’s in your best interest to protect it.
Advancement in Technology
At the center of our tech-obsessed society is the Internet of Things (IoT). Everything is being connected to the internet for a more convenient life.
It’s convenient to do so much without losing a sweat, thanks to your computer devices keeping track of your daily interactions. But the connectivity and convenience that we so greatly desire make us more vulnerable to cyber threats and attackers are eager to take advantage.
Weak Cybersecurity Culture
Billions of people use multiple online platforms for leisure, work, and other activities. Unfortunately, there isn’t a thriving cybersecurity culture to guide people on how to use the internet safely.
Most cyberattacks are due to human error. If more people were aware of threat vectors, there’d be fewer attacks.
Strong cybersecurity culture is key to ward off threats that may arise from you taking the wrong initiative online. Rather than giving attackers a freeway to cause havoc, cybersecurity tools such as Intrusion Detection Systems can detect suspicious activities and mitigate damage.
5 Tips for Setting and Achieving Your Cybersecurity Goals
You don’t have to be a expert to set and achieve your cybersecurity goals. It takes commitment to mapping out a plan and seeing it out to its execution.
By setting your cybersecurity goals, you’ll have a blueprint of how to create a safer cyber ecosystem to thrive. The following tips will come in handy in helping you achieve that.
1. Define Your Goals
Cybersecurity is broad. In an attempt to create effective cybersecurity goals, you might be all over the place without being anywhere in particular.
You have to be clear about your aim. What specific cybersecurity goals do you want to achieve? Do you want to protect your personal data or the data of your customers? Do you want to be able to detect threats from miles away or when they are within your system? These are some of the questions that you need to ask yourself.
Write down the areas that are of higher priority to you. Yes, you can have multiple cybersecurity goals but you mustn’t immediately take on more than you can handle.
2. Identify Your Most Critical Assets
If attackers should hack your system, what would you be most concerned about? Those are your most critical assets.
You don’t have to wait for an attack to happen before securing your most valuable resources. Adopt a proactive cybersecurity strategy by identifying those assets beforehand and implementing measures to protect them.
Prioritizing your most critical assets does not in any way undermine the value of your other assets. Put measures in place to protect them as well. But when the chips are down, it makes more sense to protect the assets that’ll impact you the most.
3. Prioritize Value Over Cost
Reluctance over the need for cybersecurity often arises due to the cost of implementing it.
Cybersecurity isn’t free. And sometimes, it can be pricey, especially if you want to go all out.
But before you talk yourself out of achieving your cybersecurity goals, consider the implications of an attack on your system. There’s a high chance that the cost of what you’ll lose will be greater than the cost of implementing cybersecurity measures.
In addition to the financial cost of your assets, you’ll suffer emotional and psychological trauma. Save yourself these troubles by putting your money where your mouth is.
4. Outline Metrics to Measure Your Progress
The best cybersecurity goals are measurable. One sure way to know how far you've come is to measure the distance you have covered and the changes you have implemented along the way.
Don’t complicate the process by having too many metrics. Identify relevant Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) that’ll give you a sense of your performance. These KPIs should be easy to understand and applicable to your niche.
5. Cultivate a Healthy Cybersecurity Culture
Having all the necessary cybersecurity measures on the ground is great but one simple human error could jeopardize all your efforts.
The need to cultivate a healthy cybersecurity culture can’t be overemphasized. Be abreast with the various kinds of cyberattacks and their techniques. That way, you can smell a cyber threat from miles away.
It isn’t enough for only you to be knowledgeable about cybersecurity practices. If you are working with other people, ensure that they are just as knowledgeable as you, if not more so. And that’s because you won’t always be there when they have interactions online. Luring someone on your team into opening an infected file could be all an attacker needs to hack your whole network.
Stay Committed to Achieving Your Cybersecurity Goals
All hope isn’t lost. Setting and achieving your cybersecurity goals is doable with a great deal of commitment.
Every layer of cybersecurity you add to your network is an additional hurdle that attackers have to bypass to break in. With the right amount of resistance, there’s only so much even the most sophisticated hackers can do.