Aslam Tajbhai | Head | Solutions | Data Management Professionals South Africa (DMPSA) | mail me |
The terms ‘Cybersecurity’ and ‘Cyber Resilience’ often appear interchangeable, which creates confusion. These concepts are related but serve distinct purposes.
Both play critical roles in protecting data and ensuring business continuity. However, what are their differences, and why do organisations need both?
Cybersecurity versus cyber resilience
Cybersecurity primarily focuses on preventative measures to stop unauthorised access, breaches and attacks. Organisations use firewalls, antivirus software, strong password policies, and Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) to keep cybercriminals out.
Conversely, cyber resilience determines how well an organisation recovers after an attack. cyber resilience focuses on minimising damage and restoring operations swiftly.
Preventing breaches is not always possible, so cyber resilience ensures recovery strategies are in place. It involves data recovery, damage control, and operational continuity after incidents.
In summary, cybersecurity blocks attacks, while cyber resilience reduces impact and restores operations quickly. Both are essential for effective data management.
Building a strong cybersecurity strategy
A strong strategy protects business operations and ensures compliance with legislation like the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA).
Building a strong cybersecurity strategy requires multiple protective layers to minimise the risk of breaches. Cybercriminals often target endpoint devices like laptops and smartphones.
Organisations must install endpoint protection, including antivirus and anti-malware software, to safeguard these devices. Firewalls create a barrier between internal networks and external threats.
Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) provide secure communication between remote devices and corporate networks. Strong password policies combined with MFA enhance security.
Most breaches occur due to compromised credentials, making access control essential. The “least privileged access” strategy limits access to necessary personnel. These measures help prevent unauthorised access and protect data, but no system is completely attack-proof. This is where cyber resilience becomes crucial.
The role of cyber resilience
Cyber resilience mitigates damage when security measures fail. Organisations must implement continuous processes to recover quickly after attacks. The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) provides a framework to identify, protect, detect, respond to, and recover from cyber incidents.
Cyber resilience consists of three key areas:
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Risk identification
Understanding and identifying risks within an organisation is critical. Knowing where sensitive data is stored helps with protection. Early risk identification enables protective actions like encryption, deletion, or archival of sensitive data.
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Readiness
Organisations must prepare for attacks by implementing early warning systems. Threat deception technology helps detect potential breaches. Regularly testing cyber recovery plans in isolated environments ensures readiness. A strong recovery plan minimises downtime and protects data integrity.
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Recovery
Quick recovery is the most crucial aspect of resilience. Backups must be immutable and stored offsite for security. Organisations must restore clean copies of data in secure environments to resume operations with minimal disruption.
Risk versus reward
Failing to implement both cybersecurity and cyber resilience strategies can have severe consequences.
A successful breach erodes customer trust and damages reputations. Extended downtime disrupts business operations and results in significant financial losses. Ransom payments and lost business contribute to these costs.
Preventing attacks alone is not enough. Organisations must prepare to recover when cybercriminals infiltrate business networks.
Implementing both cybersecurity and cyber resilience safeguards business assets and ensures uninterrupted operations. Together, they form a robust, long-term data management strategy. These strategies protect businesses from immediate and future threats, reinforcing overall resilience and security.
