Today's volatile cyber landscape presents a major risk to the revenue and resilience of organizations in every industry. Establishing a security program is a major step towards defending your data, assets and customers from cyber actors while maintaining compliance with major cybersecurity standards.
A security program provides a foundation for understanding where your information technology (IT) infrastructure is most vulnerable - it documents your information security policies and standards, establishing the procedures you need to maintain a strong posture against internal and external threats.
With a background in information security and program management trusted by federal agencies, standards bodies and private businesses, DataLock provides all the services you need to plan, implement and monitor the performance of your security program over time. We also have virtual Chief Information Security Officers (vCISO) that can help guide your security implementation journey.
The Need for Cybersecurity Planning
Despite the rising frequency and cost of cyber incidents, many organizations today suffer from poor cybersecurity posture: either they lack a security program, or cybersecurity is not a focus of their business strategy.
In 2022, the average cost of a data breach reached an all-time high of $4.35 million
By 2025, the global cost of cybercrime will exceed $10 trillion per year
Only 50% of small businesses have a cybersecurity plan - meaning that half don't
Less than half of large businesses are making meaningful cybersecurity investments
With the rise of remote employment, cloud vulnerabilities, ransomware, phishing attacks and insider threats, today's cyber landscape is more volatile than ever before. A strong security program is key to maintaining business resilience over the long term and staying safe in the short term.
Security Program Implementation Services
Security program implementation follows identification of key vulnerabilities through risk management practices, including security assessments, vulnerability scanning and penetration testing. It encompasses:
Security Program Development – develop a complete security program customized for your business needs, including development of organizational and governance structures, cyber training and compliance programs, security operations, security engineering processes and more.
Policies and Procedures – create security policies and procedures customized for your organization to protect sensitive data and critical IT systems. This includes sensitive customer information and your organization's private data, including controlled unclassified information (CUI), employee and financial records, intellectual property (IP) and more.
Security Operations – execute security operations outlined by your security program. Run penetration tests to identify easily missed gaps in your IT infrastructure, implement security controls, build safer systems and staff security operation centers (SOCs) with qualified personnel in appropriate environments.
Identity and Access Management – ensure the security of digital identities, credentials and passwords through an identity and access management (IAM) framework - control user access to critical information; implement multifactor authentication and manage privileged access to sensitive systems.
Continuous Monitoring – develop and execute continuous monitoring strategies, including in-depth scanning of your network perimeter and periodic cybersecurity assessments. Maintain up-to-date documentation of IT systems and assets in compliance with key federal regulations that require a continuous monitoring strategy
Guided Compliance – guide your organization towards compliance with federal cybersecurity standards like the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) special publication (SP) 800-53, SP 800-171 and more. Follow industry standards like SOC2 and PCI-DSS. Identify correct security controls and assist with implementation.
Benefits of a Security Program
Business Resilience – protect your revenue and bottom line over the long term by repelling cyber actors and eliminating the biggest risks to your sensitive data. Gain the agility needed to adapt with the changing threat landscape so you are prepared for the threats of tomorrow.
Prevent Fines – by driving your organization towards compliance with relevant industry and federal regulations, a strong security program raises stakeholder confidence and mitigates expensive fines following a data breach or cyber incident.
Reputation and Trust – show existing customers and potential clients that you take the safety of their personal information and sensitive data seriously. Differentiate yourself from competitors by making a credible commitment to cybersecurity that goes beyond checking boxes.
Stronger Cybersecurity Posture – implementing a security program designed around your organization's unique risks significantly improves your posture against external and internal threats, reducing the chance of network penetration, expensive data breaches and ransomware attacks.
Faster Response Time – when cyber incidents do occur, a security program provides the documentation, training and procedures that your team needs to react quickly, minimize downtime and restore normal business operations.