Counting down to the absolutely worst cybersecurity strategies. Sadly, these are all prevalent in the industry. Many organizations have failed spectacularly simply because they chose to follow a long-term path that leads to disaster. You know who you are…
Let’s count them down.
10. Cyber-Insurance
No need for security, just get insurance. Transferring risk is better than mitigating it!
Famous Last Words: Sure, it should be covered
9. Audit Confidence
Conducing a comprehensive security audit. …and ignoring the results
Famous Last Words: We will close those gaps later…
8. Best Tools, Left Unmanaged
Deploying several good tools, set to autopilot. No need to manage or maintain anything
Famous Last Words: Security is not that difficult…
7. Regulatory Compliance
Meeting the minimum requirements (defined 2 years ago)
Famous Last Words: Relax, we are compliant!
6. One Good Tool
We just need one good tool (ex. AV) and we are set.
Famous Last Words: That should do it.
5. IT Dependence
Cybersecurity is a tech problem, its IT’s responsibility.
Famous Last Words: The IT dept has it covered.
4. Security by Marketing
Believing the snake-oil (deceptive marketing) salesperson that will ‘solve‘ your security problems
Famous Last Words: We are totally protected now! (or similar derivative from the sales brochure)
3. Default Security Settings
Products and services come with security built in!
Famous Last Words: It’s new, shiny, and looks secure. Don’t worry, we should be fine!
2. Security by Obscurity
Nobody knows or cares about us. We are too small to be targeted.
Famous Last Words: We haven’t been attacked yet…
1. Hope, as a Strategy
I hope we don’t get attacked. Let’s move on with more important things.
Famous Last Words: <meek inner voice>> Just don’t think about security because it is too scary, expensive, and complex!
This is the menu that evokes anger, frustration, and pity among cybersecurity professionals around the globe. Eventually it always ends in despair, blame, and a side of tears.
A solid long-term strategic plan is a necessity for an efficient and capable cybersecurity capability. Cybersecurity fails without a proper strategy.
Interested in more? Follow me on LinkedIn, Medium, and Twitter (@Matt_Rosenquist) to hear insights, rants, and what is going on in cybersecurity.
Matthew Rosenquist is an industry-recognized pragmatic, passionate, and innovative strategic security expert with 30 years of experience. He thrives in challenging cybersecurity environments and in the face of ever shifting threats. A leader in identifying opportunities, driving industry change, and building mature security organizations, Matthew delivers capabilities for sustainable security postures. He has experience in protecting billions of dollars of corporate assets, consulting across industry verticals, understanding current and emerging risks, communicating opportunities, forging internal cooperation and executive buy-in, and developing practical strategies.
Matthew is a trusted advisor, security expert, and evangelist for academia, businesses, and governments around the world. A public advocate for best-practices, and communicating the risks and opportunities emerging in cybersecurity. He delivers engaging keynotes, speeches, interviews, and consulting sessions at conferences and to audiences around the globe. He has attracted a large social following of security peers, is an active member on advisory boards, and quoted in news, magazines, and books. Matthew is a recognized industry expert, speaker, and leader who enjoys the pursuit of achieving optimal cybersecurity.
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What would you do if you were the CEO of Intel?