Organizations worldwide are facing an increasing number of sophisticated cyber attacks that can compromise data, operations, and reputations. Traditional approaches that focus solely on detecting and preventing these attacks are no longer enough. To better prepare for, and respond to, cyber threats, we recommend the following four strategies informed by our recent report conducted by Osterman Research.Bolster attack preparednessWith the growing sophistication of cyber threats and the inevitability of successful attacks, organizations must prepare for the aftermath of a breach. Despite this reality, only 33% of respondents reported confidence in their workforce’s capability to perform the relevant tasks needed to recover from a cyber incident. Organizations need to shift focus from merely stopping attacks to understanding what to do after an attack occurs.While prevention and detection remain critical, a holistic approach to resilience is essential. Cyber resilience involves preparing for the worst-case scenario while maintaining world-class defensive capabilities.Measure cyber resilience – with real dataWhile 86% of organizations have initiated cyber resilience programs, over half of respondents expressed concerns about their organization's lack of a comprehensive approach to measuring cyber resilience. This statistic underscores a broader issue—the absence of a standardized framework for proving cyber resilience on an organizational scale. Consequently, many organizations grapple with the challenge of identifying pertinent metrics and data points necessary for a thorough assessment of their resilience capabilities. Organizations must develop more effective means of evaluating and substantiating resilience outcomes.Pivot away from traditional industry certifications and trainingWhile many organizations encourage their IT and cybersecurity teams to pursue industry certification and training sessions, only 32% of respondents consider industry certifications to be "very effective" in assisting technical teams in achieving the critical outcome of mitigating new and emerging cyberthreats. This raises concerns, especially given the financial investments and productivity costs associated with obtaining and maintaining these certifications. A better way is needed to prepare workforces for attacks, at the speed of cyber.Adopt new proven approaches to enhance cyber resilienceInstead of relying on outdated methods of training, to fill cyber skills gaps and build confidence across the organization based on data, here are a few recommended approaches to enhance cyber resilience:
Implement regular cyber exercising
Organizations should conduct real-life simulations and testing exercises to evaluate their ability to adapt, respond, and recover from cyber incidents. After-action reviews can help identify areas for improvement.
Measure cyber capabilities
Develop a set of metrics specifically designed to measure cyber resilience. These metrics should focus on an organization's capacity to withstand and recover from attacks, rather than just its ability to detect and prevent them.
Foster continuous learning
Encourage a culture of continuous learning and improvement within the organization. This includes regular training, skills development, and knowledge sharing to stay ahead of evolving threats.
Drive collaboration and coordination across teams and individuals
Foster collaboration among different teams within the organization to improve coordination during cyber incidents. Executives should actively lead the resilience agenda and be prepared to guide the organization through crisis situations.In a world where cyber threats are becoming increasingly complex and relentless, cyber resilience is no longer an option but a necessity. The findings from the Osterman Report highlight the need for organizations to shift their focus from prevention to adaptation and response. By investing in real-life testing, developing relevant metrics, promoting continuous learning, and enhancing collaboration, organizations can better prepare themselves to face the challenges of the digital landscape. Cyber resilience is not just about preventing attacks; it's about being ready to bounce back stronger when they do occur.To learn more about how your organization can enhance resilience, watch our recent webinar: How to Build an Unbreakable Organization.