The Current Landscape of Cyber Risk Management

In the quickly evolving world of cyber risk management, many organizations find themselves tethered to outdated methods. Often constrained by budget limitations, time, or simply by adhering to long-standing practices, the reliance on routine measures like training simulations, obligatory learning sessions, or monotonous presentations has failed to genuinely drive behavior change. To address the nuances of human cyber risk, there's more we can and need to do.

 

The 2022 Verizon Data Breach & Investigations Report highlighted an alarming statistic: 82% of breaches are rooted in human activities. But this figure has been oft quoted year after year after year in cybersecurity circles. This unchanging data point underscores the pressing need for a true shift in focus towards human-centric solutions in cyber culture. Imagine the transformative potential if organizations could zero in on their riskiest user groups and facilitate impactful behavior changes. What if the 82% of breaches were created by only 2% of a total workforce? What if it was 80% new hires? Complex systems require approaches, analysis, and thinking that goes beyond compliance.

 

Central to Human Risk Management is a strategic aim to effect real behavior and mindset changes across the board. Transcending the one size fits all training approaches and negative reactive posture of responding to incidents and tests by shaming the employee. But here's the kicker: genuine change necessitates identifying often-overlooked threats, those that remain unseen or misdiagnosed. How do we find them?

 

Think of a garden where different weeds, each with their distinct roots, appear on the surface. Simply mowing them down won’t eliminate future growth. Understanding each weed's origin is the key. Drawing parallels to cybersecurity, addressing just the visible issues, like those weeds, doesn't touch the root causes. The root causes are often bound to culture, the ways things are done, and how your employees perceive both security and cyber risk.

 

Jinan Budge, a recognized expert in the field with hands-on experience as a Forrester Analyst, emphasizes in a recent blog post how security awareness is witnessing a pivotal transformation. The shift isn’t superficial. We're talking about genuine cultural change, transitioning from performative gestures to fostering tangible actions.

 

With the digital horizon teeming with innovative solutions, and the double edged sword of AI, organizations now wield the tools to survey their entire operational landscape. Yet, possessing tools to measure is only half the battle. The true challenge? Integrating them into a unified strategy, one that offers the ability to unify insights and respond to the complex facets of Human Risk Operations, and to track progress and success over time. There are too many moving pieces in this scenario to not champion this data-driven approach, but building this program and honing in on audience driven insights is a profound shift in the way organizations currently view human cyber risk.

 

Diving into data is more than just a trend; it's a revolution. It’s through data-driven analysis that transformative change can find its footing. Merely recognizing issues isn’t enough. The magic happens when organizations activate the latent power in their data, pinpointing where reinforcement and training are paramount. Getting to those people at the right time and in the right way. It’s about navigating a number of different domains to unveil actionable insights, marking the cornerstone of Human Risk Management.

 

But on this Human Frontier, what exactly impacts an organization's cyber risk? It's a layered question. Beyond the stark metrics of failed or passed phishing tests, there are myriad behaviors and soft indicators that define risk. And that risk depends on your operating context as well. Ask yourself: When did your team members last refresh their passwords? Are they leveraging password managers? Are multiple devices in play, and is secure VPN usage consistent for remote access?

 

Human Risk Operations isn’t just about building barriers; it's about understanding human behavior in your unique digital and workplace ecosystem and adapting strategies accordingly. The objective isn’t singular. While it's about nurturing a security-conscious workforce, it’s equally about making this transformation resonate. Tailored experiences, infused with creative soul and engaging content, can spark both curiosity and the values which drive digital responsibility.

 

 

There's an overwhelming amount of data and events caused by your humans available for monitoring through advanced tools like Security Event Monitoring, SOC, and SIEM. However, merely relying on an 'event-based' or violations-only approach or depending solely on tools can obscure the bigger picture. The true potential emerges when you blend these vast data streams with an understanding of organizational culture and values. This unified insight empowers security leaders to draft focused programs, refining their cyber culture and significantly bolstering defences.

 

The landscape of cyber culture has observed an explosion of innovative solutions. However, while diversity in tools is beneficial, the real advantage lies in having a unified system that consolidates data, facilitating a holistic view. A platform like CM SHOC epitomizes this, offering a consolidated dashboard that translates complex data points and insights into actionable strategies.

 

As Human Risk Management begin to assert its essential role in the cybersecurity landscape, it's an opportune moment for organizations to delve into and adopt these solutions. With a steadfast commitment to safeguarding both technology and people, a clear strategy, a profound understanding of your unique organizational dynamics can unlock accelerated change and protective advantage across your entire organisation.