The threat of cyberattacks looms larger and more menacing than ever before. As businesses increasingly rely on digital infrastructure, the potential for data breaches and ransomware attacks has risen to alarming levels. Yet, amidst this growing concern, there is a glimmer of hope – the resilience and preparedness of businesses to weather such storms.
How ready and resilient is your business to face a data breach or ransomware attack? Feeble practices regarding strategies, assessments, planning, and overall safeguarding - particularly in efforts of cybersecurity and resilience, create the potential for debilitating events. It is important to raise an internal awareness regarding the readiness of your company. Enlisting strategies, technologies, communications, and best practices make all the difference.
Fortunately, experts in the realm of cybersecurity are dedicated to keeping business and IT running smoothly. Partnering with external resources provides an immediate solution alongside a long-term plan. Collaboration often has additional benefits. Cayuse, for example, offers a partnership advantage that combines cybersecurity expertise with our dedication to promoting diversity in the workplace.
Attacks are on the Rise
The last two years have witnessed a considerable increase in the number of cyber-attacks and financial losses as a result of ransomware. A study done by Black Kite, a risk management provider, reports that ‘the number of ransomware victims announced in March 2023 was nearly double that of April 2022 and 1.6 times higher than the peak month in 2022, signaling a dramatic increase in ransomware activity’. They explain that the ‘United States leads as the most targeted country, accounting for a staggering 43% of all victim organizations.’ In their study, Black Kite found several indicators that provide avenues of vulnerability for ransomware attacks including poor email configuration, leaked credentials, open public remote access ports, and out-of-date systems lacking regular updates and patches.
In a related blog, Accenture, a global professional services company explained that ‘By converting cybersecurity from an incident-driven reaction into part of the fabric of transformation efforts, organizations can boost cybersecurity resilience and position themselves to reinvent the whole enterprise, safely.’ Their “State of Cybersecurity Resilience 2023” study explains that ‘…the percentage of successful breaches from outside the organization remains high, even nudging slightly ahead (61% compared to 60% last year), while for some industries, such as Utilities, supply chain partner threats are higher again at 62%.’
Cyber-attacks can render a business helpless, and the aftermath creates a difficult recovery – financially and beyond. Now more than ever, businesses need a solid cybersecurity plan to outline policies and procedures that both protect against and guide in responding to threats and breaches.
Critical To-Do's
Resilience starts with understanding critical business services as such services are vital to maintaining company operations while also playing a key role in withstanding and recovering from adversity.
- Annual risk assessments (based on an industry standard such as NIST CSF) allow organizations to determine, maintain, and update their cyber risk profile regularly, thus keeping things current. An organization’s cyber security investment and plan for the year can be outlined by first focusing on mitigating the risks identified as presenting the biggest impact to critical services.
- Data is one of the most valuable assets that an organization possesses. Clearly understanding the data associated with crucial business services is vital to protecting the continuation of organizational operations. A solid cybersecurity and resilience plan needs to encompass data protection processes and backups aligned with the required recovery objectives, and must include:
- Data validation
- Isolation through write once and read mostly (WORM) protection
- Storage in an alternate location
- Crisis communications also contribute to an organization’s resilience in two ways. First, with employee error factoring as a main cause of cyberattacks, raising and maintaining awareness throughout an organization is vital. Second, good communication bolsters organizational reputation by proactively keeping stakeholders, customers, vendors, and employees informed.
- Finally, a reviewed, updated, and regularly evaluated recovery plan is critical to the restoration of business services following an attack. Recovery plans must account for all cyberattack vectors and then be validated to make sure that staff are educated and that recovery processes work when needed to respond to a real world cyberattack.
Benefits Within Diversity
Because of their intricacies and importance, cybersecurity and operational resilience are two areas that benefit from leaning on experts. Companies like Cayuse are at-the-ready to partner in implementing and executing a solid cybersecurity and operational resilience initiative.
Going beyond tenure and proven expertise, a bonus to joining forces with Cayuse is the opportunity to engage in a diverse partnership, giving your business access to exclusive contractual opportunities. The utilization of an expanded list of resources including potential partners, insights, and knowledge contributes to the ability to secure larger contracts and gain faster recognition and growth potential.
Partnering with a diverse business benefits your company by:
- Increasing business partnership opportunities
- Adding innovation and creativity
- Earning respect and value by employing diversity
- Access to resources such as customer and client databases
- Access to programs, workshops, and mentorships
- Invitations to events and conferences that promote networking
- Sharing business credentials along with talent, insight, and a well-rounded partnership
The founder of Cayuse had a goal to help indigenous populations succeed in their careers while maintaining life on the reservations. Following core values that focus on quality, work ethic, and teamwork, partnering with Cayuse gives your business a fast track to a new level of distinction, support, and empowerment, while protecting your technological presence and assets.
Solutions in Partnership
Cyber safety and security are two of the most important yet neglected areas in business. Engaging a consultant team to manage and protect your IT deliverables while you execute your roles within the business provides a valuable boost in moving your ‘resilience needle.’
Collaborating with diverse companies opens new perspectives, insights, and innovative solutions, ultimately strengthening the collective ability to counter cyber threats. In a world where resilience is vital, embracing diversity is more than just a bonus, it is a strategic imperative that can make all difference.
As experts in cybersecurity and operational resilience, Cayuse supports and protects your company while also sharing certifications, warehouses, datacenters, and opportunities. Founded by a Native American businessperson and 100% owned by the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation, Cayuse is a small company that is big on employing diversity.
Well-backed, with credentials and equipped to share our benefits, we offer experience, professionalism, guidance, and a solid partnership for a renewed and well-protected 2024.
Schedule a meeting with our team to discuss your cybersecurity initiatives!