Intelligent CXO Issue 43 | Page 76

FINAL WORD
WHEN IT COMES TO SUPPORTING THE SECURITY TEAMS RESPONSIBLE FOR ATTACK MITIGATION AND RECOVERY ACTIVITIES , ORGANISATIONS NEED TO ENSURE THESE PERSONNEL GET THE HELP THEY NEED TO BOUNCE BACK AND RECOVER FASTER .
Organisations that take steps to positively support personnel and implement measures designed to prevent security breaches will not only boost employee engagement and retention ; they will also elevate their ability to withstand and bounce back from cyberincidents .
For example , by ensuring that processes are in place to prevent social engineering , organisations can help protect non-technical employees from potential vulnerabilities that will expose them – and the business – to external threats . This could include implementing checks and limitations on actions such as money transfers that narrow the scope for phishing attacks to succeed .
Similarly , given that today ’ s AIpowered phishing attacks are now capable of generating highly sophisticated fake emails and deep fakes that can fool anyone , irrespective of their technical knowhow , organisations need to think laterally about how they prepare nontechnical employees for these types of attacks . That includes taking steps to support and mitigate the stigma , fear and guilt that personnel often experience if they fall victim to such scams .
Failing to take steps to shield personnel or counter a fear-dominated workplace culture can have significant and unintended consequences . According to research , last year over 40 % of cyberattacks went unreported to internal management because employees were fearful of the repercussions that would result . A further 75 % of those who failed to report an incident admit that they subsequently felt guilty as a result .
Preparing for security incidents – fostering a supportive environment
Everyone working in today ’ s digitally-centric organisations is potentially vulnerable to the impact of a security incident . With this in mind , education and training will play a key role in helping to prevent breaches and minimising any psychological impact on those involved .
In addition to keeping personnel informed of the top cybersecurity threats they are likely to encounter , training programmes should feature real-world scenarios that detail the attack mode employed by cybercriminals and the psychological post-attack consequences for victims . This will help promote greater understanding and empathy among all employees while ensuring that everyone is aware of the potential pitfalls they need to stay alert for .
When it comes to supporting the security teams responsible for attack mitigation and recovery activities , organisations need to ensure these personnel get the help they need to bounce back and recover faster . That means encouraging open communication and dialogue about mental health issues and providing counselling resources that will enhance overall team resilience .
Adopting a 360-degree view
The battle against cyberthreats is not just a technical one . It ’ s a human one too . To thrive and survive in today ’ s digital battlefield , organisations need to provide comprehensive cybersecurity training for all staff , foster a security mindset and initiate appropriate support for those affected by cyberthreats .
By doing so , they will be able to help ensure that cybersecurity incidents are openly disclosed and reported so that mitigation actions can be triggered faster and collective learnings from incidents can be harnessed and shared .
Finally , and perhaps most importantly of all , from a human capital perspective , organisations will be able to demonstrate that the wellbeing of their personnel is a top priority . All of which will help create more secure organisations and healthier , happier workplaces . x
76 www . intelligentcxo . com