Today, digital transformation has become an influential business trend focused on smart management of operations and the continuous improvement of virtually all business processes from personnel management to increasing user satisfaction with post-sales services.
New technologies and applications that enterprises are forced to implement simply to maintain competitiveness help them to base their decision-making on reliable data analyzed in real time. The advanced data analysis technologies, in turn, show excellent results when they receive data for analysis in real time from systems like Internet of Things, based on new and advanced, and at the same time affordable data transfer and communication technologies.
So, in terms of business practices, we have entered a new era. But on the other hand, digital conversion greatly enhances vulnerability to cyberattacks. There are now more potential targets for cybercriminals, and their benefits of crime can be very significant.
In the digital age, more methods have become available to cybercriminals to capitalize on technological vulnerabilities or inherent human trust. Moreover, as more and more devices and applications take their places in the working environment of the enterprise, there are more potential ways to penetrate, and methods are constantly being improved.
What to do with this? Refuse digital transformation and risk competitiveness, or transform and compromise security? History shows that those who refuse technological progress always lose. So, for digital transformation, security is not just needed, but vital. Security is the key to successful digital transformation!
How should enterprises approach the implementation of the right cybersecurity strategy for digital transformation? Just like you approach all important decisions: through evaluation, planning and carefully controlled implementation.
Plan Security Strategically
Digital transformations has effect on all domains - from HR issues to procurement procedures. Of course, security initiatives, too, at every step, are completely dependent on digital transformation plans. Planning, implementing, and supporting new security technologies, security services should begin with an initial assessment, discovery of existing critical assets, data, applications, devices, and security processes. Then, the existing cybersecurity capabilities should be compared with planned digital transformation activities.
The roadmap for cybersecurity development needs constant testing across the enterprise and comparing it with the actual digital changes. The risk picture should also take into account external components, such as digital interactions with partners, suppliers and customers.
Digital transformation will inevitably be a delicate balance between efficient operations and increased risk. Therefore, a strategic approach to security issues obviously increases the chances of success for change.
Softline’s vast experience in business consulting in a wide range of industries, combined with cybersecurity expertise, allows us to create roadmaps for both digital transformation and cybersecurity development for customers. We will help you pave the way for a digital and secure future.
Develop Cybersecurity Skills
One after another, business surveys indicate that cybersecurity is the number 1 problem in terms of lack of knowledge and skills. The hiring and development of professionals with high-level knowledge in security is becoming an increasingly serious problem. Vacancies for positions of security engineers remain unclosed for months, and their salary requirements can make the necessary personnel acquisitions impossible.
The consequences of a lack of staff are growing as more applications and devices are getting involved, thus expanding the attack targets for cybercriminals. At the same time, the possibilities of attackers are ahead of the development of traditional protection technologies, such as perimeter protection.
What to do in such a situation? To secure their digital transformation, enterprises will inevitably have to increase their internal talent, fill in gaps, or consider switching to managed security services from an external provider. I am sure that the third option is most suitable for most customers. Softline's managed security services provide secure digital conversion with a high-level service and at a competitive price.
Involve all stakeholders
To work effectively, the security measures must be taken not only by security personnel, but the entire enterprise. An attacker who can deceive only one employee and find out his password or force him to click on a malicious link will render even the most advanced security tools useless.
A holistic approach to the development and implementation of policies and procedures that accompany the security of digital transformation must be developed from top to bottom, covering all participants. Employees, partners, suppliers should understand why certain safety rules have been adopted and how to comply with them. Constant communication on these issues, development of work scenarios taking into account security issues, mandatory training will help all interested parties to comply with safety rules in a digital environment.
The cybersecurity projects implemented by Softline include not only services for the installation and configuration of hardware, but also staff training, the development of work process regulations and monitoring their implementation.
The new ways of working that Digital Technology brings is capable of bringing incredible results for enterprises in terms of efficiency, cost reduction, speed and flexibility. A data-driven business will obviously be more competitive.
However, in order benefit and not suffer from the business becoming digital, the development of cybersecurity must necessarily keep pace with digitalization. Strategic planning, skills management and involving all stakeholders in security issues will greatly help minimize risks.
