Cybersecurity Strategy Implementation & Execution
A cybersecurity strategy implementation plan is a business’ written guide to follow and improve its overall risk management and defenses against the on-going threat of cybercrime – and some might say the most significant threat they face. A critical step is execution, because a plan only provides value when properly executed.
The Standish group has been measuring software project success since 1994 and project failure has been fairly consistent over the entire period with only about a third of all projects being successful (by being completed on time and budget, with all the promised functionality). About a third were abandoned or cancelled. The rest were challenged and did not give users what they wanted. Many reports state a similar performance for IT projects, generally.
The top five factors found in successful projects are:
- User involvement
- Executive management support
- Clear statement of requirements
- Proper planning
- Realistic expectations
These factors should be considered for any IT project, whether large or small. While risk rises with size and complexity, even simple projects can fail if there isn’t clarity on these five principles. CyberConnect Projects has a fine 24-year record of on-time, within-budget projects, that exceed customer expectation. We accomplish success by using structured project governance and a toolbox of project engineering & execution disciplines which are a blend of best practice and real experience.
There are two distinct steps:
- Preparation of a cybersecurity strategy implementation plan
- Execution of that cybersecurity strategy implementation plan
The cybersecurity strategy implementation plan should be designed to address the cybersecurity risks that are identified and prioritized by the business’ cybersecurity risk assessment. It will include both qualitative (risk management) and quantitative (project management) components, and it will identify cybersecurity investments, costs, deadlines, procedures, and resources.
A cybersecurity strategy implementation plan can be an important part of cybersecurity governance because its execution should require cybersecurity business process changes to improve cybersecurity controls.
Cybersecurity is not just for large corporations with many databases containing a lot of personal information. Using the following steps will help you decrease the chances of a cyberattack.
You should decide who in your business will be responsible for developing, implementing, and enforcing the cybersecurity policy.
- Build relationships with key business stakeholders and understand their business issues and objectives.
- Align program with operational objectives of business stakeholders.
- Understand the requirements that will enable the cybersecurity strategy and mitigate risks.
- Identify and launch projects to implement the cybersecurity requirements.
- Establish a Cybersecurity Steering committee comprising key executive-level stakeholders to direct the program.
- Establish metrics to evaluate the effectiveness of the program.
- Establish a system of record for cybersecurity management that demonstrates the business is resilient to threats and vulnerabilities (security assurance) and provides confidence to your stakeholders that your information assets are secure.
- Build capacity and capability:
- develop cybersecurity processes and integrate these into organizational processes.
- acquire appropriate skills.
- acquire requisite technologies.
- Develop skills and develop suitable staff acquisition and retention plans.
- Provide ongoing cybersecurity awareness training for all employees.
- Develop, disseminate, and maintain cybersecurity standards, guidelines, and procedures to ensure compliance to policies.
- Provide ongoing reports to key stakeholders on overall cybersecurity performance.
Developing a plan is only the first part. The most important part is execution. A plan that is never implemented at all, or not implemented effectively will not protect you from cyberattacks. This is where CyberConnect Projects excels! We can not only assess your risks and help you develop a plan to address your vulnerabilities, but we are able to help you implement your plan. Execution is the key to protecting your company.
Without execution your cybersecurity strategy is useless. Let CyberConnect Projects help you through the entire process of protecting your company from cyberthreats.