It’s virtually impossible to imagine a sector where technology hasn’t led to improvements in productivity and profits but parallel to this, cyberattacks have also risen and become a part of working as a technology-reliant business. Cybersecurity incidents can have devastating consequences so while businesses may not be able to hide away from the threat of an attack, IT leaders can control how well the company is able to prepare and respond to a breach.
Ransomware and extortion are seen as the top threat across 92% of industries, and the Business Continuity Institute points out in its Emergency & Crisis Communications Report 2024 that training and exercising of crisis communication plans is at an all-time high this year highlighting a key point; an effective cybersecurity is not just an IT concern – it is a communication concern as well.
It requires careful coordination between the response team and the internal stakeholders, and an inefficient communication system can cause delays and miscommunication, resulting in greater data and financial loss. Businesses must be able to bridge the gap between cybersecurity and communication and a solid communications strategy will act as a second line of defence to protect business brand and reputation in the event of an attack.
Expect the unexpected
One of the keys to weathering a data breach is building a plan before it’s needed. With the trust of stakeholders and customers on the line, having a plan and a response team in place can minimise risks and provide valuable communications tools and framework for action where key decisions are made ahead of time and do not have to be made under pressure.
This begins with creating an educated human firewall through awareness training and testing. Both technology providers and vendors can bring their expertise and resources to create effective security solutions that understand the business framework and provide reliable, cutting-edge security products.
Reviewing current cyber-security efforts and strengthening the communications infrastructure will also help businesses establish procedures for responding to cyber incidents with defined roles for key stakeholders, IT teams, and senior management. This forms a culture of clarity across the organisation regarding steps taken and can even help take some of the emotion out of the situation so employees can respond effectively and efficiently.
The quality of communication that will heavily influence the outcome of the attack and whether businesses are able to minimise the long-term effects therefore, planning the response and integrating a cyber communication strategy will speed up the risk management process and fosters a culture of shared responsibility where everyone understands their role in protecting the businesses assets.
From a customer point of view, having a well-planned data breach response will convey that the business is in control of the situation and committed to tightening security procedures to help prevent future attacks. This reduces the impact the breach may have on the business reputation.
Creating a strong risk culture
Outside of these formal interactions, IT leaders must also aim to create a cyber-conscious culture across the organisation. Many individuals might not be aware of how their actions can impact the business’ security posture and the increasing complexity of cybersecurity can also make it difficult for those who may be as IT proficient to grasp its importance.
Similarly, cybersecurity is often seen as the sole responsibility of the IT department rather than a shared business value. A disconnect can build between security teams and the rest of the organisation, resulting in a lack of commitment among all employees to mitigate the effects of a breach.
Setting a strong risk culture allows senior business leaders to move away from merely setting the tone and rather building a cyber risk-conscious mindset that promotes shared accountability.
This means creating a reliable communication stream that is transparent, tailored and translatable, and fostering a proactive security mindset by realigning achievements and failures in this situation to be balanced and business focused.
Working with a partner you can trust
Selecting the appropriate partners to recognise the characteristics of a robust security profile and identify any potential risks is paramount to business security. Many IT leaders believe that if they spend enough money on their IT resources, their business will be secure; however, not every great solution fits every situation. Poor communication, lack of cohesion between team members, and the wrong solutions for a specific business problem can hinder protocols. Without the right systems in place to use these resources and manage the process of communicating through a cyberattack, this investment is fruitless.
Similarly, dealing with an IT partner that is not aligned with the business goals can strain relationships and divert attention away from a breach and cause delays in management. Careful vendor selection are crucial aspects of ensuring incident and communication strategies are functioning according to the organisation.
The security landscape is constantly evolving, so it’s essential that the security solutions implemented are flexible. This requires a willingness to adapt to new technologies and approaches as well as adjusting strategies. A technology provider like ALSO will take the time to understand the aims of the business and provide a substantial number of vendor solutions that are business focused to safeguard your data.
With access to a full portfolio of major and minor brands, an IT provider can give easy access to a selection of vendors that could help mitigate threats, and facilitate businesses to onboard solutions that strengthen their business posture. These partners can oversee critical aspects, detect potential issues, and promptly report to the appropriate teams. This agility and adaptability allow these types of attacks to get resolved at a faster pace.
Without proactive measures, cybersecurity’s communication problem will only worsen. A blended approach that is strategic and long-term rather than reactive and brief, will strengthen business communication and normalise threat mitigation as a process which everyone can put their hand in. By implementing a communication plan within the incident response plan, organisations can establish resilient cyber solutions to protect their data from malicious actors.
A partnership can allow a larger variety of comprehensive and tailored security solutions that better protect business assets and manage risks efficiently. Cybersecurity is a team sport and working together allows IT leaders to be better equipped to tackle the ever-evolving threat landscape.
