Page 61 - Cyber Defense eMagazine - November 2017

9 WAYS CEOS CAN PROMOTE

CYBERSECURITY

by Jessica Anderson, Director of PR, PhoenixNap Global IT Services

The increase in ransomware attacks has created security challenges for companies. CEO roles
have expanded to include cybersecurity. As CEO you can take steps to minimize these
potential threats. Prepare your company and take precautions to avoid costly data breaches.
Hacks can hurt the company financially, and the reputation and brand ruined.
Here are nine steps that CEOs can take to promote cybersecurity.

UNDERSTAND SECURITY PROTOCOLS IN PLACE WITH YOUR COMPANY

Once you have a clear picture of what practices are in place, you can identify areas that need
improvement. Work with other company leaders to develop a cybersecurity plan throughout the
company. Keep your security protocols updated to stay on top of new security threats.

Each employee needs to understand what rules are in place When a breach occurs; employees
should know what to do. Communicate changes to the whole company, to lessen the chance of
a security breach.

CONDUCT REGULAR SECURITY ASSESSMENTS

An annual security assessment can be a powerful tool to prevent and identify a breach.
Regulations like HIPAA Compliant hosting and the PCI require companies to perform these
evaluations. A security risk assessment (SRA) allows a company to identify key risk areas in the
network from the view of a hacker.

After the SRA, the CEO decides on where to allocate resources and security solutions. The size
and complexity of the network determine whether specific areas need to be prioritized or if it can
be more generalized

A CEO and the board decide what level of risk is acceptable for the company. An SRA cannot
eliminate all security risks. It identifies potential targets that hackers may target so that you can
protect those areas. Company resources are finite, but the assessment can assist with the
prioritization.

CREATE A WORKING RELATIONSHIP WITH THE CISO
Establish a partnership with the company's Chief Information Security Officer (CISO).

61 Cyber Defense eMagazine – November 2017 Edition
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