It is a common myth that only large; multinational firms are at risk of cybersecurity attacks. The truth is far from this, as businesses of all sizes need protection, given the evolution of the internet and its benefits. Investing in cybersecurity consultancy is becoming an essential element of all businesses, regardless of their size. A reputed consulting firm can not only keep up with the latest issues in cybersecurity but also guide companies towards efficiency and cost reduction. Scroll to understand why you should hire a cybersecurity consultant.

Why is cybersecurity awareness important?

Cybersecurity is a top concern across industries globally, irrespective of the size or age of the business. Ransomware attacks in the last five years have intensified like wildfire and have brought the biggest of companies into a state of confusion and chaos.

Investing in the latest technology is certainly important, but equally significant is the human element. Looking back at some of the most catastrophic cyberattacks, one may find that majority of the problems occurred due to human error. Cyber security awareness and appropriate training and orientation of the humans involved in the day-to-day running of the businesses, therefore, is a very critical part of any strategy aimed at recovery from a technological disaster and cannot be overlooked.

Until recently, cybersecurity was an extension of the IT department at most firms, which has obviously been unsuccessful in curbing the threats and impacts of cyber-attacks. It is therefore important to be aware of the looming threat that cybersecurity has become today and prepare for its extreme outcomes.

How can cybersecurity consultancy help?

As shared above, the need for organizations to protect themselves from attack is greater now than ever, and cybersecurity consultancy, as a result, has become a critical element in enabling this. Cybersecurity consultancy varies as per the size, scale and expertise of different organizations. Here are a few of the ways they can help:

• Reviewing present incident response plans and identifying loopholes in the recovery plans and procedures.
• Assess the business's requirements regarding investments in technology and staff training programs.
• Evaluate where the organization stands as far as its preparedness and resilience are concerned amidst a cybersecurity attack.
• Pushing initiatives in cybersecurity and underlining the importance of strengthening it to the management of the organization.

Operating within the above purview, there are some significant benefits that can accrue from employing the services of a cybersecurity consultant. They are as follows:

1. Risk-reduction: Whether the business has 10 clients or 100, security will remain a big concern. This implies that the organizations need to do everything possible to minimize data thefts and the loss of other confidential information to malicious hackers. Having a reliable cybersecurity consultant can help as they can offer valuable guidance in placing protective measures in order to mitigate the losses arising out of threats to cybersecurity. In addition, an external cybersecurity consultant can help a firm choose & implement best measures like firewalls, end point protection software, password protection, encryption, document security , data leakage protection etc.
2. External expertise: It is often difficult for the enterprise and its internal team to look at their own cybersecurity posture as they may be too heavily invested in it. Bringing in a third person’s perspective is useful in such cases because they can see the loopholes the internal teams cannot.
3. Crisis support: At the time of crisis, even the most experienced and seasoned cybersecurity experts feel the need for objective advice from a reliable external partner who understands the organizational context. The company’s own CISO or security team may feel too much under the heat themselves and can really benefit from the objective guidance that an experienced outsider can provide.
4. New technologies: As cybercriminals have become savvier in their ways and methods of functioning, new safety technologies are being rolled out to provide better protection to businesses. But many companies may not be aware of these and may have no access to the recent developments in this regard. Handing the reins to a consultant can help as they can bring in their knowledge of the firm's requirements and implement protective software accordingly.
5. Internal staff support: Working with an external cybersecurity consulting management team can help educate your current and on-site employees on the latest technologies, how to implement safer workplace practices each day, and broaden their horizons. Once the consultant team has completed their job, the employees will continue to implement the tools and new security practices that were established and make it a practice to follow the changes suggested by the cybersecurity consultant.
6. Cost reduction: Having a cybersecurity consultant will directly impact the costs incurred on cyberattacks. Given the lack of knowledge and failure to diagnose the problem, the organization may spend on unnecessary mitigation practices, whereas a cybersecurity consultant will ensure that the right amount of investment is made aptly in those areas that demand change and rectification in the organization’s security posture.

Therefore, investing in a cybersecurity consultant can be the safest long-term investment an organization can make, one that is sure to reap benefits and consolidate the firm’s preparedness against uncertainties.

About SNS

Security Network Solutions (SNS) provides a quantifiable, risk-based approach to building a global structure of cybersecurity infrastructure based on internationally recognized frameworks and practices. We have been providing services and catering to clients across industries for the last 22 years. Write to us at [email protected] or visit us at www.snsin.com.