Cybersecurity

Cybersecurity involves securing everything, including the network, but also the devices and data. A company that manages a network, like a telecommunications company, knows how the network works and needs to protect that network from external threats. Companies that run the financial system also protect the computer networks that store data, and this involves understanding how to prevent crime and human error that compromises systems. Companies are also responsible for how the information they store gets used.

Finally, companies need to consider the impact of their products, products that affect a lot of people. Most products have both direct and indirect effects. For instance, products designed to prevent theft will often lead to thefts.

Companies know that it is best to manage cybercrime using a multi-layered approach. Companies should decide early on how they want to address their cyber security. Any one company may decide to design their own multi-layered cybersecurity program, while another company may choose to implement an international joint program. This will require continuous collaboration from multiple organizations.

Management of Customers

Companies need to understand how their customers use their products. This includes understanding what their customers’ needs are, for example whether they are technology professionals who use applications or technical workers who require the Internet.

Companies have to ensure that their products are flexible enough to allow customers to tailor their security to their own needs. Customers have different levels of knowledge and technical abilities.

Each customer has different requirements for information security, which can be complicated to assess in advance. An organization that doesn’t understand the motivations of its customers can end up developing ineffective security programs that don’t suit the needs of customers.

Governance

Companies need to ensure that management and strategy is coordinated and that the governance and oversight of cyber security is adequate. Companies should plan their security at a senior level that includes top management, the senior management of their customer, the customer’s senior management and the cybersecurity teams at both companies.

While senior management is responsible for monitoring and controlling the cybersecurity of an organization, they should be part of the cyber security discussion and decision making. Senior managers must have a technical knowledge of both organizations’ systems and of the environment they operate in.

Technology

Companies need to identify the appropriate technology for their networks and systems, they need to implement systems like SD WAN. Companies must work to ensure that technology evolves to allow for the increased level of security and privacy needed in today’s interconnected, technologically advanced world.

Companies should continue to invest in the latest technologies that improve security, and they should plan ahead to ensure that their technology becomes part of their network strategy and that their customers fully support the use of these technologies. For example, technology that allows companies to protect their data in the event of theft may also enable better business processes, so that companies can provide better customer service.

Companies need to consider whether they need to obtain security approval from their customers to use these technologies. This requires carefully reviewing all technologies that are proposed for the use of their networks and systems, and companies should ensure that security approval is granted as soon as possible.