Why More Cyber Security Experts Should be in the Boardroom in All Sectors

Cyber security has never been as vital as it is now. Companies, even the ones that pride themselves on great security, have been victims of all kinds of cybercrimes. From social media networks to international banks and credit reference agencies, no organisation can say that it is immune to cyber threats. Data breaches and other cybersecurity incidents can cause irreparable damage to a company. It is why enterprises are working hard to guarantee the safety of their IT infrastructures. However, there's a need to do a lot more. Sourcing help from professional IT services providers like Fifosys is essential, but not enough. Cybersecurity experts have to play bigger roles in the day to day. The days of cybersecurity consultants being secluded to the IT department are over. It's time for the Cyber Security specialists within your organisation to take a seat at the main table.

IT Security Should be a Business Priority

In the same manner that companies give importance to human resources, accounting and sales, so should they with cyber security. The safety of client information and other data is no longer just an issue on the agenda. Given the repercussions of poor cyber security, organisations have to accord the matter the importance it demands. Over the past decades, cases of data breaches have been on the rise with companies suffering all manner of losses. Some were able to recover, but not all of them. A cybersecurity incident can cripple your business in more ways than one like lawsuits, lost customers and ruined reputation. With such a high price to pay in case anything goes wrong, it makes sense that an organisation should have a better handle on its security. Hiring a consultant from a cyber security London company to come in occasionally and update board members doesn't cut it. You should ensure that your board has cybersecurity expertise. A professional on the board will help everyone see how different aspects of the business relate to IT security.

Proactive Security from the Top

A disconnect between the executive and the rest of the company is a huge problem when it comes to dealing with cyber security. In enterprises where IT security is not on the board, it can be difficult to get the executive involved in cyber safety. However, having a Chief Information Security Officer at the main table can change that. A board member who is proactive about IT security provides a chance for that dedication to trickle down to the lowest level.

It is not uncommon for bad actors to target the executive of a company because most of them don't worry about security. You can have directors accessing corporate email accounts from their personal devices that don't have appropriate security measures. Such vulnerabilities would be handled better if someone at the top understood them. It makes it easy to implement security campaigns when they originate from the top. Companies have legal responsibilities to keep customer data safe, and that means they bear liability. Cases exist where corporations have had to pay millions to settle with customers after data theft. A board member who grasps the fiduciary and legal responsibility they carry will be cautious about IT security.

More than Just Compliance

Good security takes more than hiring IT services providers to check your compliance. Granted, it is imperative that a company abides by the regulations of cyber security in a particular industry. For example, an e-commerce site should comply with PCI standards. Companies transacting with EU customers have to be GDPR-compliant. Some organisations believe that is all it takes. They operate under the assumption that meeting industry standards keeps them safe.

These are the companies that suffer irrecoverable losses at the slightest exploitation of their vulnerabilities. Compliance should never be the bar for your IT security strategy, and an experienced CISO knows this. A consultant or CIO on the board can push to have the right security measures. Enterprises need cybersecurity solutions that satisfy the nuances of daily operations.

Whether it's a pharmaceutical company or real estate agency, IT professionals should create a suitable security plan. Note that effective cyber security is not a one-time thing, just because a consultant told the board that vulnerabilities were taken care of doesn't mean new ones won't appear a week later. It is why your company needs a permanent voice at the executive table to keep everyone else sharp regarding IT security.

Any organisation with an IT infrastructure needs to keep a pulse on its cyber security. Over time, it has become clear that IT experts have to play more substantial roles in the critical operations of a business. Putting an IT security professional on the board is one way to achieve that. A security consultant can inform the board about critical matters involving security. Fifosys is a reputable provider of cyber security London where you can get the necessary help for your company's IT security. With cybersecurity awareness events, you can ensure that your board receives the right advice when required.