Did you ever see the old sitcom gag where one character steps up bravely thinking they have a whole ensemble backing them up, but everyone else has turned and run away? It’s a great scene in a comedy, but not so great in real life, especially in terms of cybersecurity.
It takes a team effort to move successfully into the future, and it takes the confidence that comes from knowing there’s an effective security program behind you.
So, that brings us to a very important question: Is your security program effective? I mean really effective?
Here are the three leading indicators to help you know for sure:
1. Proactive Engagement and Education
Awareness and proactive behavior of its team. An effective security framework relies heavily on continuous education and team training. This is not just about holding periodic training sessions but fostering an environment where team members are encouraged to discuss and raise concerns about cybersecurity trends and incidents.
When team members regularly bring up topics related to recent cyberattacks or potential vulnerabilities, it shows they’re not only aware but also engaged in the security culture of your organization. This level of involvement often correlates with better preparedness to handle security issues as they arise.
RED FLAG: If your clients are not regularly discussing cybersecurity, it's a warning that something’s missing. Your clients need a culture of security and that starts with education from you.
2. Confidence in Incident Response
The second indicator of an effective security program is the confidence an organization has when it comes to handling and responding to security incidents. We all know that "it’s not a matter of if, but when." That’s why having a tested and trusted incident response plan in place is crucial.
This means regular drills, clear roles and responsibilities, and well-understood procedures that are second nature to a response team. The more a team practices, the more they’ll be ready when facing a real threat. Being able to act swiftly and effectively without hesitation is a clear sign of a solid security foundation.
RED FLAG: Your own team does not regularly practice for incident response. Second red flag? Your clients don’t see value in it. Your clients won’t see a value in it if your own team doesn’t see a value in it.
3. Continuous Improvement Verified by External Evaluation
Finally, the effectiveness of a security program is demonstrated through its adaptability and improvement over time. Cybersecurity is not a set-and-forget solution. It requires ongoing assessment and refinement to stay ahead of potential threats.
A great way to measure this is through regular audits and assessments conducted by third-party evaluators. These external reviews provide an unbiased perspective on how well your security measures are performing and highlight areas that need enhancement. They also serve as a benchmark for progress, showing whether your security posture has matured and improved over time. Regular third-party evaluations ensure that your security program remains robust and responsive to the ever-changing threat landscape.
RED FLAG: Your team views improvement as a one-time process rather than an ongoing way of life. It needs to be a mindset that is clear to all team members and to your clients.
STEPPING BRAVELY INTO THE FUTURE
As an MSP you know that an effective security program is proactive, responsive, and continuously improving. It’s vital that when the leaders of the organizations you protect step into the future, they have you and their entire team behind them. You can help them foster an environment of ongoing education, maintain a confident incident response team, and regularly evaluate their program through unbiased external audits. That way you can assure stakeholders that your cybersecurity measures are robust and effective.
No one wants to step forward alone.
