UpClose and Personal

Cyber security is a tolling alarm and reminder of the entailing fears for businesses and entrepreneurs. With overflow of information, hyped curiosity and trending factor, everyone is looking for the right guidance in order to not be swayed with the flow of the wind, but to actually create a valuable decision for themselves. Thus our team, understanding the need of the hour reached out the Cyber Security Business Leader Mr Deepak Talwar, and in conversation with him were able to gather following guidelines for our readers.

1) How would you prioritise the need of Cyber security for any business?
Cyber space is ruling the world today and commanding major activities of business and service providers. Therefore it would not be wrong to say, that at this junction cyber security holds an equal priority and need as that of oxygen, food, shelter and clothing. Living securely without it, is unthinkable.
Cyber Security should be an inclusive practice where the focus should be building awareness, so the next gen knows how to fight against cybercrime. New innovations must be given higher priority instead of just relying on traditional ways. There are many organisations working out of a room and can build tools and techniques which should be promoted. Wannacry is an example that demonstrates organisation showing muscles 💪 that they stopped the attack, but in actuality most of this is sheer reactive approach. Cyber Security still needs revolution and a call for pro activeness.

2) How does cyber security services help any Business?
It goes without saying that cyber security strengthens every step of the business. If we understand what it takes to pay for security loss -it will be far easier to see the value of cyber security. Businesses then can easily focus on their regular functioning and customer satisfaction rather than being distracted with the fear of an impending threat and losses. Cyber security can help nation, its reputation, their readiness and how we handle such cyber-crimes and that itself is a business driver.

3) How can SMEs protect themselves in the world of Cybercrime?
It’s easier said than done, but most of the time the advice is to adopt "best technology" , "be alert" , "follow guidelines"  etc. without doubt all these are desired. But if I have to protect myself, the very first thought will be is from whom am I protecting my business from, and what is it that I should protect?  It can be my System, Data, Network and so on. 
SME's should first thoroughly understand what is crucial and important in their business and how in this cyber space they can be an easy victim. 
SME's are equally exposed to threats as any large corporate and government organisations. They should invest in their security posture. Most of the SME take security as minimum investments and overhead cost and that's what needs to be changed and further they should build their resources, become technically strong.

4) 5 Cyber Security tips advisable for a secure work system?
a). Don't treat security systems and IT rooms as mere furniture, review them daily not during escalations. 
b). We all understand that office is operated anytime and anywhere, so better adopt new technologies, applications, processes, cloud and so on. However one should never compromise on security investments, use preventive methods and the approach should be always, ‘what if we are the ones who will be cyber-attacked? - are we ready? and that's what will make office more secure. 
c). Data is growing at a faster range, and in a business every bit of information is important, so let's give some time to identify critical data and how to keep it safe, what should be included in office local or remote and  how will it be available when required.
d). Minimise Exceptions; Every office and at every level we have various exceptions to access data -which is ok, as long as security to access is same for all including the board members to CXO's.
e). India as a region still believes that whatever is proven in other part of  the world and is popular as per the marketing, are the only options available to be more secure. However that should not be the case, you must look for what you need as per your organisational needs, office security may need small steps not what everyone adopts to be cyber secure. 

 

5) Please share how has been your experience in securing government and enterprise digitals?

This is a tough job for anyone who works in cyber security industry.
In our experience, firstly we should be thankful to cyber experts across organisations, who give their best to safeguard reputation, data and everything possible from cyber criminals. 
Government will always be a key target. However it's evident that any such body across any nation - If they follow defined practices, guidelines, latest technologies then the assurance of security is much more defined.
Enterprises go through multiple level of pressure to keep up their own business functioning and that leaves minimal time at hand to understand the needs and criticality of such cyber-crimes till its visibly noticed by few. Also the teams  who are responsible for managing cyber security at enterprise or even in government needs  to be  up to date and technically very strong and at the same time must get all amenities to be ready - that's what will make all the difference. A well trained and equipped cyber team!!!!

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