Page 144 - Cyber Defense eMagazine RSAC Special Edition 2025

Businesses must remember to articulate how these measures not only minimize data breaches but also
demonstrate a promise to consumer protection and privacy. Highlighting one’s commitment to regulatory
compliance regarding the GDPR and CCPA, for example, will strengthen brand reputation.

Persevering Trust Amid Breaches

When a data breach inevitably occurs, it is paramount that companies prioritize transparency with
consumers by using communication channels to deliver important updates and advice throughout an
incident. Proactive, open and honest dialogue with customers will help keep them in the know, reducing
panic during the event while preventing trust from eroding in the immediate aftermath. Moreover,
organizations can further bolster trust by sharing how they plan to minimize future breaches based on
the most recent incident.

Despite companies’ best efforts, the reality is that a cybersecurity breach is not a matter of if but when.
Risk will always exist, and it’s up to organizations to manage it accordingly, rather than hopelessly
struggling to eliminate it completely. Educating customers on this reality will soften negative backlash
toward organizations—especially if they successfully minimize the blast radius.

Companies can reduce the blast radius of a cybersecurity breach through methods like segmentation
and isolation, which limit the lateral movement of bad actors once inside a system. Other practices, such
as real-time and automated alerts, will help increase the time security teams have to react to a breach,
enabling them to remediate it quickly. Businesses should likewise develop an incident response plan that
outlines guidelines and responsibilities for if and when a breach occurs.

The Power of Strategic Partnerships

Cybersecurity is ultimately not a solo endeavor. As mentioned above, brands in the B2B space can
increase their security posture by engaging in dialogues with their customers and their security teams.
Portals that allow people to report suspicious emails and other fraudulent activity are great for those in
the B2C space. Moreover, organizations should partner with trusted cybersecurity providers, ultimately
transforming customer trust into tangible business gains through specialized expertise, advanced
technologies and industry best practices.

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