A CISO’s Guide to Building a Modern Cybersecurity Framework
As cyber threats grow in scale and sophistication, organizations can’t settle for cybersecurity that’s outdated or incomplete. For CISOs and security leaders, constructing a truly robust modern cybersecurity framework is essential.
In this post, we’ll cover key pillars to secure your organization without restricting business progress:
Embrace Zero Trust Architecture
Zero trust dictates that no user or device should be implicitly trusted. Some steps include:
- Verifying identity and granting least privilege access.
- Inspecting all traffic, not just at network edges.
- Adopting context-aware controls that adapt based on risk profiles.
- Assuming breach and designing compartmentalized security.
Zero trust principles enhance protection and visibility across on-prem and cloud environments.
Focus on Cloud-Native Security
With workloads increasingly in the cloud, security must integrate seamlessly. Priorities include:
- Automating security policies, compliance controls, and configuration monitoring.
- Leveraging cloud provider native tools for data protection, access controls, encryption.
- End-to-end data security including storage, transit, and access layers.
- Tools to prevent misconfiguration – the #1 cause of cloud security incidents.
A “cloud-first” and platform-native approach to security is essential.
Adopt Robust End-Point Security
With users connecting from everywhere, end-point security is critical via:
- Multi-factor authentication and single sign-on for access.
- Endpoint detection and response (EDR) software on devices.
- Full disk and media encryption to protect data if devices are lost/stolen.
- Mobile device management (MDM) for securing and controlling mobile fleet.
Extend protection to the edge with robust device security capabilities.
Automate Security Monitoring and Response
Around-the-clock vigilance is possible through:
- SIEM tools connecting and correlating security alerts.
- Automated threat intelligence gathering and deployment.
- SOAR systems enacting playbooks to triage and respond to threats.
- Red/blue team exercises to validate controls and preparedness.
Automation reduces the burden on IT security teams significantly.
Incorporate Compliance Frameworks
Compliance provides structured security guidance like:
- ISO 27001 for vulnerability assessment and risk management.
- PCI DSS for securing cardholder data.
- HIPAA for protecting patient health information.
- NIST CSF as an industry-agnostic cybersecurity framework.
Compliance principles should inform security roadmaps.
Getting Started
Modernizing cybersecurity takes resources and time. By methodically addressing these foundational pillars, CISOs can drive material security improvements. Working with the right partners, a clear security transformation roadmap is achievable.