The average data breach in 2023 cost companies $4.45M. With sensitive data and millions of dollars at risk, it’s imperative that companies integrate security best practices into their IT infrastructure. In this article, we’ll discuss how the largest factor in keeping your digital assets secure might just be the people behind the screens.
The purpose of Information Security is to protect data by ensuring confidentiality, integrity, availability, and non-repudiation. Confidentiality ensures that only authorized individuals can access confidential or sensitive information. Integrity refers to data not being altered without authorization. Availability ensures authorized users have access to data when needed. Non-repudiation prevents someone from denying their actions.
A company’s data is the key to its kingdom. PPT is a methodology in which the balance of People, Processes, and Technology drives action. It is no coincidence that People is first on the list.
Obviously without people, there would be no technology needing protection. We typically think of the “bad guys” on the outside trying to hack companies for monetary gain. But the People in the PPT triad are the “insiders”, who are often unknowingly exposing their employers to the malicious actors. Why is that?
Human nature is at the root. We, as people, seek ways to make life easier. In many ways, Information Security adds work to our everyday lives. Consider the multitude of applications requiring a password, with varied complexity requirements. How can employees remember all of those passwords without writing them down, thus putting a crack in the armor?
Technology has made our lives easier; we now have the world at our fingertips. So, when someone requires extra steps to use the very tool we have come to rely on for speed and efficiency, we tend to resist. As new cybersecurity technologies like passwords evolve into pass phrases, multi-factor authentication mfa, single sign-on, and biometrics, hackers continue to develop methods to crack each new technology.
Despite advancements in cybersecurity, the cybersecurity threats from criminals remains constant. In fact, according to Forbes, “In 2023, there was a noticeable increase in cyberattacks, with over 343 million victims”.
In many cases, security is viewed as a nuisance to the average user outside of the IT department. Hackers employ social engineering to take advantage of the human nature factor. Social engineering attacks are not new to the world of technology. Different methods are used to deceive victims into sharing data and personal information, spreading malware, or granting access to restricted systems.
When it comes to protecting a company’s data, the People of the PPT triad need to be educated on the organization’s data and how they have a part in protecting it. Information Security practitioners need to come together with the business to find a happy medium, somewhere between usability and security.
Too much security could hinder the business from performing the work required to support business functions. On the flip side, too little security (more usability) creates vulnerabilities, leading to potential costs to the company in the future.
The two are not mutually exclusive. The idea of “security by design” has emerged to build security with usability to provide users a positive user experience. Easy-to-use security solutions that are intuitive and seamlessly embedded into everyday working lives will enable the non-tech-savvy employees to participate in cybersecurity efforts, network security, and data security.
RKON has developed a Risk Management Program providing a tiered approach to Information Security. We use industry standard best practices to perform Security Program Assessments as the starting point to determine what is needed to fill gaps, taking into consideration compliance and regulatory issues. Our advisors have experience helping companies navigate the waters of finding a delicate balance between usability and security.
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