What digital risks are out there, and how can you stay aware of them?
Rapid technological advancement and rising global connectivity are reshaping the way the world is functioning. From higher productivity to improved customer satisfaction, technology has played a critical role in the growth of businesses across the world. However, the consequential bad news is that technological advancements have also made organizations increasingly vulnerable to digital risks. However, this does not mean that businesses must compromise on growth and advancement for the sake of security.
Organizations that understand how to detect threats and include preventative security measures and controls, as well as proactive solutions and thorough strategies, may better meet the security problems they face in modern digital environments. Let’s discuss the different types of digital risks you should be looking out for and how you can use this information to get positive return on investment (ROI).
Digital risks are increasing in the business world due to the rapid adoption of new disruptive technologies. These risks are seen in various industries and are more pervasive than cybersecurity risks. On a broader scale, digital risks can be classified into physical, technical, and administrative risks.
Cyberattacks continue to evolve as businesses become more technology driven. Attacks like ransomware, DDoS attacks, etc, can disrupt the normalcy of any business.
As we move forward to a knowledge-based economy, data has become the most valuable commodity in the world. This has resulted in hackers targeting critical business data and misusing it for personal gain.
Businesses need to adhere to various regulations regarding data privacy, cybersecurity, and organizational standards of practice. Any compliance violations can lead to heavy fines and penalties for an organization.
When you outsource certain services to third parties, it might compromise the security of your IT infrastructure. For instance, a software tool you develop with an external vendor may introduce some vulnerabilities to your otherwise intact digital environment.
This concerns the ability of a business to bounce back and continue operations after an unexpected disaster.
In 2021, 85% of data breaches involved some human element.* Whether it’s falling for phishing scams, credential stuffing, or misusing work devices... human errors can be quite costly for organizations if they go unchecked.
While automation is reshaping the tech industry for the better, it could also give rise to a range of risks such as compatibility risks, governance risks, and more.
The flexibility, ease of use, and affordability offered by the Cloud make it one of the most popular options for backup and storage. However, the Cloud is also prone to various risks such as lack of control over data, data leakage, data privacy, and shared servers.
The best way to start managing your digital risks is by performing comprehensive security risk assessments regularly. After all, how would you know what your current vulnerabilities or gaps are and where your biggest security challenges lie without an “under the skin” examination? Data Networks partners with KnowBe4 to offer a free Automated Security Awareness Program. This program will help you face the human error aspect of digital risk in your organization with actionable tips and planning for security training.
With a risk assessment, you can measure your security posture against various internal and digital threats and determine how equipped you are to deal with these risks. When you perform a security risk assessment you can proactively:
IT and security budgets are often difficult to explain to management. Everyone understands the consequences of not investing in the correct security measures. However, it isn’t that easy or simple to put an exact ROI figure on security investments. The value of risk assessment is based on how you choose to act with the information you get from these reports.
In this scenario, the real question is – what is the cost of not making this investment? Let us consider a major data breach for example. It is always about what you stand to lose in the aftermath of a breach. If your business is dealing with valuable customer data, a data breach can result in unrecoverable financial losses as well as reputational damage. Moreover, this might also result in regulatory non-compliance and attract heavy penalties from various regulators. In such cases, reviving a business after a major disaster can be almost impossible.
Here, the cost of investment in security solutions and cyber insurance is negligible since it concerns the survival of the business. You may not be able to measure the exact ROI of the airbags in your car but that does not mean that your survival is not dependent on them. Similarly, the information and insights gained from routine risk analyses are critical to the operation, resilience posture, and long-term success of your business.
Monitoring and managing your digital security risks is a continuous process that must be done regularly and should be a part of your ongoing operational strategy. Our team has the right cybersecurity solutions to assess and boost your digital infrastructure and build a resilient security posture against various threats!
*2021 Data Breach Investigations Report