With the continent’s rapid digital transformation, African businesses are being exposed to increasingly complex cyber threats.
As their digital footprint grows, so too does the potential for cyberattacks, writes Vinay Hiralall, chief commercial officer of Liquid C2.
Reliance on technology, growing use of personal devices, digitisation of workplaces, and remote workforces are some of the contributing factors. From phishing and ransomware to advanced fraud attempts, cybercriminals will stop at nothing in their attempts to breach security measures, often with devastating consequences for businesses.
For leaders tasked with securing their organisations against such breaches, the challenge is finding a holistic solution that mitigates these risks while also ensuring compliance with regulations and supporting their day-to-day operations.
Assume – and prepare for – the worst
With this in mind, it’s become clear that traditional, siloed approaches to cyber security are no longer enough. More and more organisations are realising the importance of adopting a comprehensive, always-on security strategy that integrates protection, detection, and response – in essence, an ‘assume breach’ approach.
A recent survey by Gartner found that 75% of organizations are pursuing security vendor consolidation. Many CISOs are increasingly dissatisfied with the operational inefficiencies and the lack of integration of a heterogenous security stack. As a result, they are consolidating the number of security vendors they use to improve their risk posture, that’s why Liquid C2 introduced Secure360.
The case for an integrated, holistic approach to security management
Liquid C2’s Secure360 offering, provides an integrated solution that simplifies security management while enhancing protection across all layers of a company’s infrastructure. Its holistic, multi-layer approach helps organisations prepare for sophisticated cyberattacks, safeguard critical data, and maintain regulatory compliance.
It’s not advisable to try to do it alone. Because no two businesses are alike, experienced consultants should work alongside organisations to develop bespoke end-to-end solutions that extend beyond cloud security services to advisory, consulting, and much more.
Incorporating a layered approach
Reflecting this, the Secure360 framework’s address all aspects of security across an organization’s digital environment. It integrates governance, risk management, compliance, threat detection, and response strategies to protect against a wide range of threats. This approach ensures that every layer of an organization’s infrastructure is secure, from networks and applications to data and user access, providing comprehensive protection and resilience against cyber threats. It includes:
- Governance, Risk & Compliance: This is where policies and procedures are established to guide the organisation’s security strategy. This layer also involves managing risk and compliance while delivering cyber security awareness programmes to all stakeholders.
- Cyber Risk Assurance: This layer involves regular assessments to identify and eliminate security gaps continuously. It enhances cyber resilience by managing the organisation’s attack surface and testing its defence mechanisms.
- Cybersecurity Solutions, Deployment, & Support: Tailored security solutions are fully integrated into the business’s existing infrastructure, ensuring that systems are optimised and supported over the long term.
- Cyber Defence Services: Ongoing threat detection, incident management, and recovery processes are key, with advanced threat intelligence systems helping organisations stay one step ahead of changing cyber threats.
The customer must be at the centre of the strategy
To survive the onslaught of modern cyber challenges, businesses need to understand that cyber security is not just about technology; but about building a resilient organisational culture that prioritises security across all operations.
With this in mind, the customer needs to be firmly at the centre of every cyber security strategy, with solutions customised to the unique needs and challenges of their business environment. From identifying vulnerabilities to implementing tailored solutions, the plan should adapt to every stage of their security journey and evolve with the customer and their growing business.
Future-proofing African businesses
Africa’s threat landscape is constantly shifting, which means that organisations need holistic and proactive defence strategies that address current risks and prepare them for future challenges. By adopting a comprehensive security framework like the Secure360 solution, African businesses are safeguarding their operations and setting themselves up to thrive in today’s digital world, confident that their critical assets are secure.