Why do you need to develop a cybersecurity roadmap? Well, building a road map helps you align security processes with business goals. Not only that, but it also optimizes your overall cybersecurity posture.
Why Build A Cybersecurity Roadmap?
As you can see, cybercriminals are increasingly well-funded. Besides, they constantly change their tactics. Thus, it’s no longer possible to detect or prevent every attack.
It’s true that cyber insurance cover costs related to security incidents. However, it doesn’t help companies with careless securities. In fact, insurers can and will refuse to cover events that could have been avoided.
Because of that, addressing cybersecurity challenges effectively need a workable plan of action. So that’s where the cybersecurity roadmap proves to be essential.
Yes, it’ll help you know where to stand today. It’ll help you where to go to be more effective. As well as what you need to do to get there.
Evaluate Yourself
First of all, you must evaluate your environment. This includes the risks related to your data assets. Why is that important?
Because doing that will help you identify areas that need attention. And develop a path to achieve your goals.
Additionally, it’s also important to address identity and access management concerns. To do that, consider who has access to what. As well as what employees can do with their access.
Also, consider the workload of in-house resources. Are they overwhelmed by efforts to secure systems, data, and devices? Is there another way for them to ease the burden?
So, a risk assessment can help answer those questions. Besides, it ensures a clear understanding of your legal and regulatory requirements. This also evaluates your security controls. Thus, helping you to identify any gaps in protection.
Set Up Your Objectives
When you complete the assessment, you can now measure gaps against the selected control framework. You can also define the steps to address them.
Another thing is that your roadmap should include a high-level summary of investments in people, processes, and technology. Which are needed to align your capabilities with the control framework selected.
Include The 3 Critical Elements
These elements should be on your security roadmap process to enable success.
Iterative
Creating a roadmap is not a one-and-done project. But, it’s a part of a continuous program strategy and operations cycle.
As your organization shift, the course you’ve set must also do the same. Furthermore, regular evaluation of your risks and plans is vital.
Make it inclusive
How will you do that? Take an interview-based approach that incorporates all stakeholders. That allows you to gain comprehensive visibility and business objectives. And that helps you to ensure the roadmap is in alignment.
Measure success
Before executing anything else, be sure you have a way to measure success. Take key activities and deliverables and use them as milestones.
Then, document the progress of each activity and the deliverables produced. Moreover, communicate the value of each project through metrics during its progression.
Furthermore, having the right administrative systems and tools in place will ensure that you have accurate, measurable data. Especially when it’s time to reflect and present the success of your cybersecurity initiatives.
