Risk assessment and the approach you take on challenges, are two fundamental aspects of a cybersecurity plan.
It may sound complicated, but it does not require any specific equipment to create a plan. You only need a few documents, trustable data about your own company, and a lot of drive from yourself and employees to put the plan in action. This entry on our cyber security series will be focused on the most important aspects of a cyber security plan.
In fact, you can download our cyber security plan template, right here and start today!
What should a cyber security plan cover?
- People: Identify people who must be involved in cybersecurity. If you have an inhouse IT team this is their calling. List their functions and involve them in each step you take.
- Assets: If you are not aware of what you are protecting, what is the point of trying to protect it? So, start by cataloging your IT assets. Be sure to acknowledge data that could damage your assets if stolen, such as databases (could damage your reputation) or your credit or bank account information.
- Best Practices: Many of the threats involving a Cyberattack need an “inner trigger.” This means that without an employee who triggers the “trap” leading to the attack, the attack would not happen. So, if your employees are trained in what and what not to do, regarding basic security concepts and information on the most common security threats, it will be far less likely that they accidently engage with a criminal. Make sure you document these practices and include that in your cyber security plan.
- Protection: Include everything you count on protecting as your cyber assets. Antivirus software, anti-malware software, VPNs, and firewalls in general.
- Potential Threats: What are your security weak spots? Can you work on them? How? Detail what the potential threats you face are and how you will address them. Make sure that the items you listed under “protection” appear here and are in use. If not, reevaluate.
- SOP: Make sure you develop Standard Operating Procedures for your security threats. The existence of these procedures will ensure that if any threat presented itself, whoever is in front of the situation will know how to handle it.
- Audit and Update: Threats are always changing and so should your cyber security plan. Make sure you review your threats and procedures, perform audits on IT and keep your employees updated on the latest on security.
A final word about Cybersecurity and Cybersecurity plans.
Cybersecurity is like construction. As explored in part 1 and part 2 of this series, people are a fundamental part of the firewall that protects you against threats or potential attackers. Documentation, SOP, and audits will all help you structure the wall, but in the end, it is people who will lay each brick. Make sure to remember that.
