FEATURE seven best practices to better secure their Digital Transformation efforts : prioritising cloud security ; use Zero Trust access protocols ; stay up-to-date on privacy laws ; monitoring web presence ; securing apps ; strengthening wireless connections ; extending security to remote locations .
Previously , there was a physical barrier or a ‘ gap ’ between OT systems and IT systems but ever since the notorious Stuxnet attack in 2010 , OT networks have increasingly been under attack . We see large-scale malware , phishing , ransomware and Denial of Service attacks , as well as insider breaches .
We ’ ve seen OT cyberattacks target national electricity grids , darkening the homes of hundreds of thousands . We ’ ve seen targeted attacks against public waterworks and so on , so it ’ s not something that can be ignored .
We use many playbook technologies to provide an effective security stack in the OT space , but we also use some more specific technologies , such as Artificial Intelligence and deception . These allow us to take care of issues in the OT environments like providing early post breach detection , reducing dwell time of a network breach , reducing false positives . And then of course , one of the most important things is full automation .
How would you suggest that organisations can ensure that security is at the heart of their Digital Transformation strategy ?
We ’ ve definitely seen a major increase in efforts to fast-track Digital Transformation plans as a result of the pandemic . And as fast as companies are trying to build systems to facilitate Digital
Saving security matters until after the network has been developed only increases the odds of new security gaps being introduced and a resulting cyberattack .
Transformation , criminals are devising methods to infiltrate organisations . This forces security right to the top of the priority list .
This is important for organisations to create a security-driven networking strategy from the ground up that automatically expands into any new networking environment , application strategy , or device deployment . Saving security matters until after the network has been developed only increases the odds of new security gaps being introduced and a resulting cyberattack . To prevent this from happening and to create a security-driven network , organisations should follow these
Digital Transformation is a businesscritical priority , but if cybersecurity is not rolled in from day one , organisations will leave themselves , their employees and their customers open to serious cyber-risk . Starting with security , rather than leaving it as an afterthought , is how organisations can harness the digital era the smart , safe and secure way .
How can CISOs effectively communicate with the wider C-suite ?
My first suggestion is always ‘ ignore the data at your own peril ’.
Quite simply , no organisational function can reside in its own silo and succeed today . Significant synergies and opportunities need to exist .
CISOs need to be current , proactive and , most importantly , never shy away from sharing bad news .
Are there any technology trends you expect to see this year that regional organisations should be factoring into their cybersecurity strategies ?
I think going into 2021 and beyond , we face another significant shift with the rise of new intelligent edges . And this is about more than just end-users and devices remotely connecting to the network .
FortiGuard Labs have put together a set of predictions estimating the strategies that we anticipate cybercriminals will leverage in the coming year and beyond .
It includes , but is not limited to , predictions and insights on intelligent Edge Computing , 5G-enabled devices and advances in computing power , as well as the new wave of advanced threats that will undoubtedly arise as a result . u
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