It has never been more crucial for businesses to have a mature Cyber Security posture. As enterprises continue to blend physical and remote work environments while using the cloud, their vulnerability to cybersecurity attacks grows.

The average cost of a Cyber Security issue is also rising. In fact, 2022 had the highest average cost in IBM’s Cost of a Data Breach Report’s 18-year history.

This article discusses one critical mistake that can jeopardize any organization’s Cyber Security program, as well as recommendations and best practices for avoiding it.

Fundamental Misconceptions in IT

One of the great ironies of IT is that so many IT and security departments are based on two fundamental misconceptions:

• The needs of the IT and security departments are sometimes more significant than the funds available to carry them out (ultimately, a budget problem).
• The only persons who can verify the work’s success are the IT personnel assigned to it.

These two flaws are at the heart of us becoming our own worst security adversary. But one will fail us more than the other.

Right-sizing budgets and projects can solve the first problem. Something that often needs time and experience. The second, however, will cost us more than just the risk of going over or under budget for a project. It introduces vulnerabilities into the system that the corporation is absolutely unaware of.

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The consequences of self-evaluation in Cyber Security

When IT personnel is requested to carry out all of the numerous duties of IT, they’re also held accountable for the success of those activities. As a result, if the same personnel is ever asked whether they have any issues, they are virtually always inclined to minimize or deny any concerns in order to avoid being seen as performing a lousy job.

Because most of what IT does happens “behind closed doors,” there are no natural checks and balances for most individuals in the business.

It is far more visible in other departments, such as a marketing department that cannot execute a conference. A sales department that cannot acquire customers or a facilities department that cannot keep the AC on.

Let’s draw an image. Suppose the team in charge of physical security allows illegal persons into a building or on campus. In that case, there are tens, hundreds, or thousands of employees in all other departments who may raise a red signal. Because of this visibility and reporting, the security team has a natural motivation not to “get caught” or “get called out” for failing to perform their duty of keeping the facilities safe.

When the same thing occurs in our computer systems, the only individuals who will likely be aware of the breach, apart from a specialized SOC team, are the same IT employees who are held responsible for not allowing the “evil” in. That is, no one will be aware of the situation until a terrible incident occurs.

Even if a security incident is detected early enough, circumstances encourage IT to clean things up as discreetly as possible, minimize the damage, or even disregard dangers.

It’s worth noting that these people aren’t bad at what they do. They only respond to the incentives given to them. Transparency has no benefit for them because of the self-evaluation approach. Organizations must instead generate that upside to avoid operational and cyber security risks.

Key criteria for remaining on the “good side.”

There are two critical components to ensuring that we do not mistakenly side with the bad guys:

1. Create a secure culture in our companies.

Provide dedicated security people, positive reinforcement and even awards both within and outside of IT for speaking up about dangers. An overall security awareness program that encourages everyone to be a part of the solution.

2. Enlist the assistance of outside consultants and evaluators.

A thorough risk assessment, vulnerability assessment, or even a systems audit may provide us with accurate information about the condition of our information technology without the unpleasantness of asking IT professionals to evaluate themselves. But it goes further than that. Because a qualified Security Advisor delivers factual information without bias, IT can get the proof it needs to implement solutions that best give value to the whole business or organization without being bogged down by financial constraints.

An outside examination discloses the truth.

Whatever method you choose to construct your security solutions, the unique nature of IT invisibility should always be recognized since it naturally increases risk.

We occasionally unintentionally provide incorrect incentives to our IT employees. However, there is a solution: A mature security awareness strategy backed by third-party assessors to ensure that companies always receive the “need to know” data.

Do you want to learn more about how risk assessments may improve your security posture? Contact Rhyno Cybersecurity

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