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There are several critical reasons an organization should conduct a cyber security assessment.
First, even the best cyber security program should be evaluated to see if there are any gaps. A third-party cyber security assessment can identify those gaps and if/where there are any open ports through which a cyber criminal can access your system before it’s too late. While it may identify one or two devices on your network that need updates, you are open to attack even if 0.1% of your devices are not secured. All it takes is one weak point.
Additionally, by having a third party run a penetration test, you can assess how resilient your system is to a hacking attempt. The testers look not just at vulnerabilities but also whether a real threat exists to exploit that vulnerability (that is, whether a bad actor can get into the system).
Cyber security is similar to wargaming. The more testing and exercising you do to identify weaknesses, the stronger you become and the better prepared you are to defend your system.
Another reason for a cyber security assessment is to evaluate your current level of security so that you can identify what you need to do to improve. That is, to create a roadmap of improvements on your journey to security. In cyber security, you can NOT just “set it and forget it.”
This initial assessment will identify your assets (create an inventory), your architecture, whether all devices have the latest security patches and other critical first steps. This is a vital first step since you cannot protect what you do not see.
Not only can this assessment help identify a security roadmap, but it can also provide a plan for bringing in new devices to connect securely and identify physical security protocols and processes/procedures your employees must follow to maintain security.
The next step would be to implement these changes, including continuous monitoring, to ensure that no cyber criminals are getting in and, most importantly, to ensure that your policies are followed and your employees are trained.
While your organization may outsource its cyber security to a consultant, that does not mean your employees do not need to worry about it. Cyber security is everyone’s job!
At Commonwealth Sentinel, we can evaluate your existing IT security and work with your team to improve it. We can also provide a complete source of services. At Commonwealth Sentinel, we stay focused on cyber security so you can focus on other things. Contact us today or sign up for a free consultation.
At Commonwealth Sentinel, we stay focused on cyber security so you can focus on other things.