Strong communication between an organization’s executives and CISOs is a prerequisite for optimum business security and can also prevent lesser cybersecurity incidents.
Cyberattacks are a significant concern for organizations and can have severe consequences for organizations and their customers. However, frequent threat attacks occur due to inadequate communication between business executives and IT security leaders.
According to Kaspersky’s critical findings in Fluent in Infosec, 62% of business executives believe that communication gaps with CISOs and security leaders have led to severe cybersecurity incidents. Kaspersky also concluded the following key findings based on the fact:
- Lack of understanding: 98% of non-IT executives have also faced IT security miscommunication
- 62% of business executives admitted to facing terrible security consequences
- 42% of business executives desire better communication with IT security leaders to combat cybersecurity risks and consequences
For global organizations, business leaders must be involved in decision-making on critical frameworks and roadmaps for cybersecurity. This will help executives plan, construct, integrate, and monitor every step and project for cybersecurity sustainability. However, organizations that fail to have robust cybersecurity are primarily due to miscommunication between executives and IT security leaders.
While business executives focus more on customer experience, costs, marketing, sales, and technology implementation, security leads protect devices, networks, programs, data, and firewalls and stay alert for unauthorized access or damages. As a result, pushing budgets for different goals can lead to communication gaps and may lead to the higher management underestimating the importance of cybersecurity measures needed in the company.
How Big is the Cybersecurity Miscommunication Barrier?
The miscommunication among business executives and security leaders is grave and can lead to severe cyber threat issues. Due to this, businesses may face adverse effects such as exploited budget, loss of valuable employees, business threats, loss of data, business information breach, and corporate business security loss, among other losses.
Another challenge they may face is the awareness of the technical aspects of cybersecurity measures essential for business in the digital transformation age. This makes it difficult for business leaders to understand threats, make decisions and bring advanced security initiatives. In addition, they may also fall short of improving security measures for broader business objectives.
In addition to cyber threats, such breakdowns may lead to severe project delays, loss of control of business assets, and unprecedented business loss as cyber threats change daily.
These issues reflect the importance of effective communication between an organization’s executives and CISOs. Digital transformation has driven organizations to focus on cybersecurity plans and frameworks, strengthening strategies and approaches because it is essential for organizations to be robust and effective—high-security measures in the face of new cybersecurity threats. A clear and open communication channel between business leaders and CISOs is necessary to bring new technologies and tools for saving their businesses.
Where do Miscommunication Difficulties Begin?
The reasons behind this miscommunication originate from both sides. While management is reluctant to display cybersecurity illiteracy, CISOs often do not articulate the situation and imperatives correctly.
The leading reasons are the lack of cybersecurity awareness and knowledge, technical skills and awareness, and the absence of information on cybersecurity risks. Most executives aren’t comfortable flagging their inability to understand cybersecurity terms with security leaders. In contrast, some do not get a clear objective of security measures a business might need for the current and future.
The cybersecurity topics for business leaders and technology leaders to discuss with each other are also radically different. The toughest miscommunication occurs on adopting security solutions, changes to security policies, and evaluating the performance of IT security solutions. After these comes to a lack of discussions about a budget for IT security, raising cyber security awareness, and expanding the team.
However, in the same Kaspersky’s critical findings in Fluent in Infosec, the current business executives are aware of the rising cyber threats such as Malware, Trojan, Spyware, and Phishing. They are becoming aware of effective cyber security technology solutions and terms such as DecSecOps, ZeroTrust, SOC, and pen-testing. The good news is that business leaders and CISOs are willing to take steps toward better communication.
Also Read: How Enterprises Can Address Cyber Risks in Business Applications
Building a Strong Communication Between Leaders
For organizations that are willing to have higher security initiatives through better communication between executives and IT security leaders, here are a few recommendations to follow:
-
Expansion of Cyber Security Knowledge
Imparting cybersecurity knowledge to management teams, and explaining the risks involved if adequate tools are not implemented, should be the CISO’s task.
The knowledge also needs to be circulated among employees to understand the basics of the security world, including technology, tools, strategies, solutions, functions, and more. This way, business executives can follow CISO to understand relevant cybersecurity operations.
-
Attention to Cyber Security Awareness
Both business and security executives should share awareness regarding cyber security measures and upcoming advancements that can help businesses grow and build more robust security frameworks.
Staying aware of the security purposes in both the business and cybersecurity worlds is a key to successful risk aversion and adopting the right tools for better security.
-
Focus on Budgeting
Cybersecurity leaders should give reliable and understandable opinions when communicating their needs to business leaders and justifying their cybersecurity budget. Information about threats and security measures relevant to the particular industry can help all executives understand the potential risks and the protective measures to mitigate them. Resources such as IT Security Calculator and reports can significantly ease communication. These reports are generated based on expert analyses of security threats.
-
Communication from ROI Perspectives
Increasing risks of cyber threats have forced organizations to expand security budgets. This will also mean that the senior executives need to discuss investing in tools with proven efficacy clearly. These factors will affect business ROI, which the leaders must also consider. This means they need to install devices that increase the detection of threats, measure metrics, and increases security measures. By studying these factors, the leaders can reap higher ROI as a critical result of clear and proper communication between both leaders.
Ending Note
Miscommunications in IT security can lead to inadequate preparedness for cybersecurity incidents. This can be almost as treacherous as gaps in organizational cybersecurity leading to a significant loss. However, there is a light at the end of the tunnel, as business and cybersecurity leaders can work together to leverage technology and strengthen their business security measures. The communication gaps are diminishing as businesses can successfully secure their assets with the help of the best cyber security measures and technologies.
For more such updates follow us on Google News ITsecuritywire News. Please subscribe to our Newsletter for more updates.
