Earlier this year, the Biden administration released its long-awaited National Cybersecurity Strategy, expected to address an increasingly complex, evolving and dangerous landscape within cybersecurity. In light of cyberattacks targeting infrastructure, business and governmental agencies, the document elevates cybersecurity as a critical component of the United States’ economic prosperity and national security. The strategy promises to support new regulatory frameworks to shift liability and create incentives for the private sector to defend against critical vulnerabilities. Pursuing a balance between defending against the threats of today while planning and investing in cybersecurity solutions for the future, it outlines five pillars to build and enhance collaboration:

  1. Defend critical infrastructure 
  2. Disrupt and dismantle threat actors 
  3. Shape market forces to drive security and resilience 
  4. Invest in a resilient future 
  5. Forge international partnerships to pursue shared goals 

This overarching strategy puts the burden of cybersecurity on organizations most capable of reducing risks – including the private sector, which traditionally has not had broad adoption of best practices in cybersecurity and resilience. 

Three Ways to Protect Your Business

Our IT Advisory and Security Group has outlined three takeaways your business should consider in light of the new national cybersecurity strategy.  

1. Identify Your Company’s Distinct Vulnerabilities and Risks 

A cybersecurity breach is no longer a matter of if, but a matter of when. Taking proactive measures to test and understand your company’s unique threat landscape is critical to protecting your business. Conducting frequent vulnerability scans and penetration tests can help identify potential access points and provide recommendations for mitigation. Consider hiring an information security specialist, like those at Doeren Mayhew, to perform ethical hacking of your network and system. They are trained to use the tools and mindset of an attacker to simulate a cyberattack and reveal how hackers could access your business’s sensitive data or disrupt its networks. 

2. Addressing Supply Chain Vulnerabilities 

You rely on your supply chain to deliver products and services that help you run your business. If one of your vendors goes down, what does that do to your operations? It is important to systematically vet third-party vendors and software suppliers to minimize attacks through your supply chain. Companies need to adopt measures to address any supply chain vulnerabilities they may have. It is critical to examine all the ways vendors and other partners can gain entry into your network. You can take preventative measures, including patching known exploits, providing regular security training for employees and incorporating detection tools. Also, be sure to have an incident response plan in place to minimize the scale and harm in the event of a successful hack. 

3. There Is No “One-Size-Fits-All” Approach to Cybersecurity 

Every type of business has its own unique challenges and vulnerabilities. Work with cybersecurity experts and your internal technology support team to tailor your approach to meet the needs based on the industry and your operations. By building out a comprehensive, strategic and evolving cybersecurity program that meets industry standards, you can be better protected against cyber breaches. 

Ready to Build Your Cybersecurity Plan?

No matter where you are on your cybersecurity journey, our IT Advisory and Security Group can guide you through understanding your security posture, offer solutions to keep you protected and implement strategies to combat attacks. Contact us today to learn more.