Building Cyber Resilience in 2024

As we transition into 2024, it’s imperative for organizations to fortify their cyber resilience. Here are some strategic initiatives to consider.

1. Prioritize Employee Training and Awareness: Implement comprehensive cybersecurity training programs that focus on identifying social engineering tactics, phishing attempts, and misinformation campaigns, particularly in the context of political events and elections.
2. Conduct Regular Risk Assessments and Audits: Perform frequent cybersecurity risk assessments and audits. This includes assessing AI risks and ensuring that AI-driven systems are secure and ethical.
3. Establish Robust Ransomware Protection and Incident Response Protocols: Develop and maintain resilient backup strategies and incident response plans. Regularly conduct penetration testing and network integrity checks. Incorporate ransomware awareness into employee training and prepare negotiation strategies for worst-case scenarios.
4. Review Cyber Insurance Policies: Evaluate and potentially update cyber insurance policies to meet the emerging threat landscape and ensure adequate coverage.
5. Ensure Data Privacy Compliance: Stay abreast of national and international data privacy regulations (like GDPR, CCPA, and potential new acts). Implement policies and practices that comply with these regulations to safeguard personal data.
6. Strengthen Operational Technology (OT) Security: Prioritize the security of OT systems and critical infrastructure. Regularly assess and upgrade security protocols to defend against targeted attacks on these systems.
7. Adopt Advanced AI Cybersecurity Measures: Harness the power of AI for predictive threat analytics, detection, and automated responses. Stay informed about the evolving landscape of AI in cybersecurity.
8. Promote Board-Level Cybersecurity Engagement: Involve CISOs in strategic decision-making at the board level. Develop cybersecurity strategies that align with business objectives and regulatory requirements.
9. Develop a Zero Trust Framework: Adopt a ‘never trust, always verify’ approach to network access and data security. This involves continuous verification of every user and device within the organization.
10. Manage Vendor and Third-Party Risk: Regularly assess and manage the security risks posed by third-party vendors and service providers.

By implementing these strategies, organizations can enhance their cyber resilience and navigate the evolving cybersecurity landscape with confidence.

Zeektek is an IT staffing and solutions company located in the Greater Sacramento Area. Founded in 2016 by staffing industry veterans John Stuart and Chad Daugherty, Zeektek was formed under the most basic of principles and qualities – loyalty, good listening and honesty. Zeektek is intensely focused on people, community and technology. For these efforts, Zeektek has been recognized with numerous awards and ranked on several industry lists, including Staffing Industry Analysts’ Best Staffing Firms list. To learn more, go to www.zeektek.com.