It is hard to believe that right now, in 2023, there are still companies and organizations that need convincing before they will begin the digital transformation. Along those same lines, companies and organizations undergoing the digital transformation often fail realize that cybersecurity should be leading the charge. It should not be a follow-up task after the fact.
The threats are real. We all know that. So completing an organization-wide digital transformation and then adapting cybersecurity to the new normal is like building a brand-new corporate headquarters and then designing and installing its security system after everyone has moved in and gotten to work.
Build It from the Ground Up
Architects know that you build security systems into new structures from the ground up. Security is embedded into the plans right from the start. That way, security is actually integrated into the very core of the building itself. It is not an add-on installed after the fact. Cybersecurity should be approached the exact same way whenever an organization decides to embrace the digital transformation.
For the record, the digital transformation is not using computers to store information. It is not replacing paper documents with digital alternatives. The digital transformation is about moving every aspect of how a company or organization does business from analog to digital technologies.
With the digital transformation come security threats that are not part of the analog world. Furthermore, many of those analog threats are only exacerbated in the digital realm. So it only makes sense to design new digital systems with cybersecurity built in to the very foundation.
Hardware, Software, and Policies
A comprehensive cybersecurity strategy involves hardware, software, and the right policies and procedures. All three are supported by a thorough knowledge base and staff who fully understands and appreciates the ongoing threats.
In terms of hardware and software, there is no room for compromise. State-of-the-art hardware running cloud-delivered platforms offers a good foundation. Security in the cloud has never been more effective than it is now. By relying on cloud platforms rather than local software, cybersecurity is improved across an entire organization.
Hardware and software are the easy parts. Everything from firewalls to server protection software is readily available and easily implemented. The harder part of the cybersecurity equation are the policies and procedures that govern human behavior. Why? Because humans are the weak link.
Exploiting Every Weakness
Cybercriminals are not shy about exploiting every weakness an organization presents. Policies and procedures are designed to address systemic weaknesses by dictating how people interact with digital technologies. Policies and procedures need to be thought out and purposeful. They need to be intentional. And above all, they need to be enforced.
Hackers are out there. They are waiting for your organization to demonstrate some sort of vulnerability they can attack without mercy. It is no joke. In the digital era, data is like gold. Your organization has a vast gold mine of data waiting to be stolen. The only thing between you and the hackers is your cybersecurity.
Make It a Priority
If your company or organization has not yet embraced the digital transformation, you are going to have to eventually. When that time comes, make cybersecurity a top priority. Your organization’s cybersecurity strategy should not follow completion of the digital transformation. It should lead that transformation from day one.
Cybersecurity is too important to relegate it to after-the-fact status. To remain secure after the transformation, cybersecurity needs to be built in during the transformation. Otherwise, you are left with an incohesive system that must be patched together. Does that sound like a smart move?
