The Importance of a Flexible Cybersecurity Program Management Solution

3 minute read

January 2021

by Kerin Sikorski

It goes without saying: Your cybersecurity threat landscape is continually evolving, and new risks emerge each day. Trends like remote work, bring your own device (BYOD) and the Internet of Things (IoT) introduce new vulnerabilities. Business shifts such as mergers and acquisitions present new challenges. Economic, social, or environmental changes result in new regulations. Each day, The Independent IT-Security Institute registers more than 350,000 new malicious programs (malware) or potentially unwanted applications. To stay abreast of these changes, you need a flexible cybersecurity program management solution that can evolve quickly  

The best cybersecurity program management (CPM) solutions are not rigid — they are flexible and scalable while offering comprehensive security functions to meet the needs of any size organization, across any industry. You should consider cybersecurity program management a quest for incremental improvement rather than an end destination. A CPM solution (and your business) must be able to adapt to these changes or fail.  

Benefits of a Flexible and Scalable Cybersecurity Program

Flexible cybersecurity program management solutions:   

  • Enable companies to promptly and easily address new risks and threats as they evolve  
  • Promote growth and allow for scale within a company and across a diverse vendor population  
  • Support regulatory requirements across varied industries and allow for change 
  • Drive efficiencies through automated workflows and reporting 
  • Map cybersecurity program management to the business through personalization and configuration

Specific Cybersecurity Program Management Variables

There are numerous components that comprise a cybersecurity program  and your software needs to be adaptable to different requirements and changing environments.  

Frameworks: Dozens of frameworks exist (ex. NIST Cybersecurity Framework, NIST 800-53, ISO 27002). Some are used across various business types, and others are tailored to specific industries or geographies. Many businesses use a common primary framework and incorporate elements from other frameworks to address specific needs.  

Regulatory Compliance: A driving force in cybersecurity management are industry and government regulatory bodies, and their requirements need to be satisfied. CPM solutions should be able to integrate a wide range of regulatory requirements and be able to adapt to changing rules  they will change.  

Enterprise Threats: Key enterprise threatmust be mappedCompanies should include the threats that are important to them and avoid what is not needed. There are 11 primary enterprise threats:  

  • Brand Damage 
  • Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) Attacks 
  • Hacking 
  • Inadvertent Disclosure or Loss of Information 
  • Informational Theft (Malicious Insider) 
  • Loss of System Availability 
  • Malware 
  • Non-Compliance with Laws, Regulations and Contracts 
  • Phishing 
  • Ransomware 
  • Technical Exploits 

Risks: Like enterprise threats, the risks that companies focus on will differ—but all need to be considered and should be available for mapping into a system. The top risks to consider when setting up a cybersecurity program include:  

  • Social Media Access Control
  • Malicious Code Injection 
  • Insecure SLDC Processes 
  • DDoS Attack Vulnerability 
  • Sensitive Data Access Control 
  • Data Loss through removable media 
  • Inadvertent Data Loss 
  • Poor Identity Access Management (IAM) processes 
  • Lack of 3rd Party Security Oversight 
  • Inadequate Risk Management Processes 
  • Incorrectly Configured Systems 
  • Outdated, End of Life (EOL) Systems 
  • Lack of BCP Capability 
  • Stolen Devices and Data 
  • Inadequate network segmentation 
  • Lack of an Accurate Asset Inventory 
  • Inadequate Vulnerability Management Practices 
  • Inadequate Logging and Monitoring of Systems 
  • Inadequate Training – Phishing & Social Engineering 
  • Lack of Policy Adherence 
  • Breach of Contract Terms Non-Compliance with Data Protection and Privacy Regulations 

PoliciesA comprehensiveflexible cybersecurity program management solution will include recommended policies. These policies must be mapped to an organization’s enterprise threats and risks and the frameworks and controls they’ve chosen. Many companies have their own policies already and these should be mapped within the CPM solution.   

Controls: The countermeasures companies choose to implement to detect, prevent, reduce, and counteract security risks differs among companies and must be reviewed regularlyControl standards must be mapped to best practice policies and assessments for clear line-of-sight risk and compliance assurance.   

These are but a few of the variables to consider and a flexible cybersecurity program must address these needs — and more.  

Ensure Your Cybersecurity Program Management Solution is Adaptable to Change and Built for the Future 

Cybersecurity, businesses, industries, threats, risks…all are certain to change. It is important that organizations plan for change and that their cybersecurity program and solution can support it.   

When considering what your organization needs to build a flexible cybersecurity program that can withstand change, let us help you explore your optionsWatch our 90-second video to learn more about ProcessUnity Cybersecurity Program Management 

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About Us

ProcessUnity is a leading provider of cloud-based applications for risk and compliance management. The company’s software as a service (SaaS) platform gives organizations the control to assess, measure, and mitigate risk and to ensure the optimal performance of key business processes. ProcessUnity’s flagship solution, ProcessUnity Vendor Risk Management, protects companies and their brands by reducing risks from third-party vendors and suppliers. ProcessUnity helps customers effectively and efficiently assess and monitor both new and existing vendors – from initial due diligence and onboarding through termination. Headquartered outside of Boston, Massachusetts, ProcessUnity is used by the world’s leading financial service firms and commercial enterprises. For more information, visit www.processunity.com.