Cybersecurity Awareness Month is Dead. Long Live Cybersecurity Results Month

Cybersecurity Awareness Month is here again. Since 2004, October has been dedicated to raising awareness about the ever-evolving landscape of cybersecurity. With 65% of directors anticipating major cyberattacks within 12 months, now is the time to reflect on the impacts of insufficient security measures and find new ways to protect against novel threats.Given this atmosphere, we're challenging the status quo: awareness isn’t cutting it; we need to strive for action and results.Welcome to Cybersecurity Results Month.5 Steps to driving cybersecurity resultsCybersecurity 'Results' Month is about taking concrete actions to protect against new and emerging threats. It's a call to arms for individuals, businesses, and governments to prioritize cybersecurity that can be measured and quantitatively improved.Here are the key priorities that can make results a reality across organizations:Build a culture of cybersecurity throughout the organizationCybersecurity thrives on collective action. It's imperative for businesses, government agencies, and individuals to unite, forming a collaborative front that emphasizes the exchange of vital threat intelligence. Through this joint effort, organizations can not only outpace cybercriminals, but also craft agile responses to nascent threats.In addition, cyber hygiene is critically important and often overlooked. Regularly refreshing passwords, encrypting sensitive data, and exercising caution when interacting with links or downloading attachments can significantly bolster defenses against cyberattacks.Exercise your teamsTeam-based simulations extend their value across the organization, from the store room to the board room. Real-world exercising provides hands-on learning opportunities for all teams, including executive teams tasked with strategic decision-making, crisis management and incident response teams responsible for navigating and mitigating unexpected disruptions, and the specialized offensive, defensive, and Security Operations Center (SOC) teams entrusted with protecting digital assets and responding to threats.By engaging in dynamic scenarios, teams from diverse backgrounds can hone their collaborative skills, refine their strategies, and ultimately contribute to a more resilient and adaptive organization in the face of evolving challenges.Benchmark individual and team capabilitiesBenchmarking individual and team capabilities in cybersecurity is a strategic practice that not only enhances an organization's security posture, but also contributes to overall business success, risk reduction, and competitive advantage.This process provides invaluable insights into the strengths and weaknesses of cybersecurity teams, enabling organizations to set clear objectives for skill enhancement and allocate resources effectively. By regularly assessing and improving capabilities, organizations not only minimize the risk of security breaches, but also build trust with customers, investors, and stakeholders.Fill cyber skills gapsArmed with benchmarking data, organizations can prescriptively and proactively address cyber skills gaps across the entire organizational spectrum. This data-driven approach provides a holistic view of the cybersecurity capabilities within an organization, allowing for strategic planning and resource allocation to bolster areas where skills are lacking.By identifying specific skill deficiencies, organizations can embark on targeted training and development initiatives for their cybersecurity teams. These initiatives can include tailored, real-world exercising that will help bridge the gaps revealed by benchmarking. Additionally, benchmarking helps organizations set realistic and achievable goals for skill enhancement, aligning their cybersecurity strategy with the broader objectives of the business.Prove results to C-level executives and your BoardDemonstrating tangible results is vital when communicating with C-level executives and the Board. However, the importance of secure practices extends far beyond the purview of cybersecurity teams alone.It calls for a comprehensive, company-wide strategy aimed at raising awareness and educating all staff members in fundamental cyber safety principles. Whether you're evaluating the technical staff or the executive leadership, conducting a holistic assessment of the entire workforce's adherence to best practices becomes pivotal in safeguarding your organization and its invaluable data assets.This approach not only ensures that cybersecurity is a shared responsibility but also strengthens the overall resilience of the organization, where every individual – from techs to execs – plays a role in fortifying its defenses against an ever-evolving threat landscape.As we celebrate Cybersecurity Awareness Month this October, it is imperative organizations turn awareness into action. This shift from passive awareness to proactive engagement is not merely a one-month initiative; it represents a commitment to greater cyber resilience year-round.To learn more about increasing resilience at your organization this and every month, read the eBook Three Steps to Ultimate Cyber Resilience