HOW CYBER RESILIENT ARE YOU?
Cyber Resilience refers to an organisation’s ability to anticipate, withstand, recover from and adapt to, cyber threats and incidents. This must be achieved while essential functions are maintained, and involves certain steps – including:
Taking regular risk assessments, establishing clear cyber security policies and procedures, implementing strong access controls and employing firewalls, antivirus software and more.
In addition to these steps, organisations should engage in robust data protection measures and provide regular training to all employees.
How cyber resilient is your organisation? Go through the cyber security checklist below to gain a better idea. For more insight, contact our security experts and we’ll be happy to talk.
Here’s a short cybersecurity checklist to assess cyber resilience levels for an organisation
Risk Assessment
Identify and classify critical assets and data; evaluate potential threats and vulnerabilities; determine the impact of cyber-attacks on your organisation
Policies and Procedures
Ensure you have clear and up-to-date cybersecurity policies; regularly review and update security procedures; establish an incident response plan
Access Control
Implement strong authentication methods (i.e., MFA / 2FA); enforce the ‘principle of least privilege’; monitor and audit user access regularly
Network Security
Use firewalls to filter incoming and outgoing traffic; employ intrusion detection and prevention systems; encrypt sensitive data in transit
Endpoint Security
Keep all devices and software up to date; deploy antivirus and anti-malware solutions; implement device management and remote wipe capabilities
Data Backup and Recovery
Regularly backup critical data; test data recovery procedures periodically; keep backups offline or in secure locations
Employee Training
Conduct cyber security awareness training on a regular basis; educate employees about phishing and social engineering; encourage a security-conscious culture
Incident Response
Establish an incident response team; develop a clear and documented incident response plan; conduct regular drills and simulations
Monitoring and Detection
Deploy security information and event management tools; monitor network and system logs for unusual activity; set up real-time alerts for potential security breaches
Third-Party Risk Management
Assess the security practices of third-party vendors and partners; ensure third parties adhere to your security standards; have a plan for responding to third-party breaches
Compliance and Regulations
Stay compliant with industry-specific regulations (i.e., GDPR, HIPAA); regularly audit and report on compliance; understand the legal requirements for breach notifications
Cyber Security Testing
Conduct regular vulnerability assessments and penetration tests; address vulnerabilities and weaknesses promptly; test the effectiveness of security controls
Continuous Improvement
Regularly review and update your cyber security strategy; learn from past incidents and near misses; stay informed about emerging threats and technologies
Business Continuity Planning
Develop a business continuity plan (BCP) for cyber incidents; ensure critical operations can continue during disruptions; test and update the BCP periodically
Cyber Insurance
Consider investing in cyber insurance to mitigate financial risks; understand the coverage and limitations of your policy
It is important to note that cyber security is an ongoing process. Regular assessments and updates are crucial to maintaining cyber resilience. Tailor this checklist to your organisation’s specific needs and industry regulations.