Due to the COVID-19 lockdowns happening throughout the world business isn’t what it used to be. Almost nothing is face-to-face anymore and most of the world has moved online. This also means that companies that weren’t equipped with proper cybersecurity protocols are now scouring to find experts that can help them figure out how to keep their data safe. 

There has been a major increase in cyberattacks and it has been estimated that there will be over 4 million openings in cybersecurity positions by 2021. The market is pretty much “empty” and available for anyone who wants to get their own cybersecurity program made. The only issue is that this is a broad field, if you’re just starting out, you’re going to need some guidance to figure out where to focus. Here are 5 tips that will help you kickstart your own cybersecurity program.

1. Choose a Framework Over a Compliance Checklist

Sure, your cybersecurity framework should be one that meets compliance requirements, but that shouldn’t be your goal. Your goal needs to be to create a framework that is well-rounded and comprehensive. It needs to function well for your particular company and the way it works. This means that you will have to mix and match elements from several different frameworks until you create a unique one that’s just for you.

2. Network With Industry Peers

You can’t expect yourself to create the perfect cybersecurity program all on your own. This is why connecting with peers within the industry is so important. They can guide you so you don’t make the mistakes they might have and can even give you ideas that you might have not been able to get to yourself. In order to connect with peers, consider joining regional networking groups. This way, you will not only have the opportunity to discuss the challenges you might be facing but will also have access to learning opportunities like joining seminars/webinars and training programs.

3. Collaborate with Other Departments to Document Policies and Procedures

If one person creates the cybersecurity policies, plans and procedures, they might end up being focused in one general direction. You might end up missing out on things that you didn’t notice just because they weren’t part of your department and day to day activities. If you collaborate with other departments while creating the cybersecurity program, you will have a lot more input to work with so you can create a program that doesn’t just work for you but also works for the entire organisation.

4. Assign Responsibilities and Hold Everyone Accountable

Simply being “in charge” of cybersecurity doesn’t mean that it all falls on one person. Once the program is created, it needs to be followed, by everyone, it’s the only way the program works! You have to assign responsibilities to people throughout the organisation and follow-up to check if they’re actually fulfilling them, hold them accountable so everyone knows that the organisation’s cybersecurity is something everyone needs to take seriously and be a part of.

5. Measure Program Metrics and Share Results

Since cybersecurity has to deal with the “invisible” it can often be hard to track its “value”. This can make it quite difficult for you to show the return on investment for the resources used to create the cybersecurity program. It’s important that you make it known that cybersecurity isn’t only about preventing cyberattacks, those can still happen, it is more about how you would handle one and how quickly you can regain access to your data/system to show how important it is to have one in place at all times. The right cybersecurity program is integral to a company’s safety.