Cybersecurity: how to adopt the best strategy in the company
Digital transformation has revolutionized the way we do business, bringing enormous advantages in terms of efficiency, communication and access to global markets. However, as digitalization increases, so does the attack surface available for cyber threats. According to recent studies, cybersecurity breaches have increased exponentially in recent years, with a global economic impact estimated at trillions of dollars.
For a company, it’s no longer a question of whether it will be attacked, but when. This reality requires a paradigm shift: cybersecurity can no longer be seen as a simple technical department, but must become a strategic element integrated into every aspect of the business.
Why talk about strategy, and not just tools?
Many organizations focus solely on purchasing technology tools, such as firewalls and antivirus, while neglecting the importance of a strategic vision. An effective cybersecurity strategy must be:
- Personalized: each company has unique needs, based on its size, the sector in which it operates, the sensitivity of the data managed and the technological equipment in use.
- Dynamic: threats are constantly evolving, so defenses must adapt in real time.
- Engaging: every employee, from the CEO to the operational staff, must be aware of the risks and trained to recognize, prevent threats and manage any consequences.
Cybersecurity is therefore not only a matter of protection, companies that invest in a comprehensive security strategy also build a solid foundation to face future challenges with confidence.
Why it's important to have a cybersecurity plan
There are many reasons for implementing a cybersecurity plan. Below we summarize the main aspects.
- Protection of sensitive data, such as financial documents, patents, projects, as well as the personal data of customers and employees, are constantly at risk. The loss or seizure of business and personal data poses a huge risk to the very survival of the company. In addition, data protection is imposed at national and supranational regulatory levels: regulations such as GDPR and, above all, NIS 2 require adequate data protection, with significant penalties in the event of a breach.
- Minimization of operational risks. A cyberattack can cripple operations, such as ransomware attacks that block access to systems until a ransom is paid. Delays in production, loss of orders and loss of service operations can have an irreversible impact.
- Maintaining trust. Customers, partners, and suppliers expect a company to be able to protect its data. A single breach can result in a drastic loss of credibility that is difficult to recover.
A cybersecurity plan, therefore, is not just a defensive measure, but a strategic element to ensure long-term competitiveness.
Risk assessment and risk management plan
Effective cybersecurity management starts with a deep understanding of risks. This process includes several key steps:
- Identifying vulnerabilities
- Periodic ICT audits: perform regular audits to map infrastructures, identify outdated software and misconfigurations.
- Penetration testing (Pen Testing): simulate attacks to assess the resilience of systems and applications.
- Threat analysis
- Insider threats: human error, malicious or negligent employees.
- External threats: malware, phishing, DDoS attacks, and advanced persistent attacks (APTs).
- Emerging threats: the increasing use of IoT devices and the spread of remote work have expanded the scope of attack.
- Prioritization
- Use a risk classification model (for example, the probability-impact matrix) to allocate resources strategically.
- Focus on critical resources, such as servers, databases, and privileged access.
- Development of the risk management plan
- Preventive measures:
- Perimeter protection with advanced firewalls.
- Multi-factor authentication (MFA) for sensitive logins.
- Continuous monitoring: security information and event management (SIEM) solutions to analyze logs in real time and detect suspicious behavior.
- Regular checks: software updates and configuration checks to ensure that systems remain secure.
- Preventive measures:
- Incident Management
- Creating a response plan: an operational document that describes roles, responsibilities, and procedures to be followed in the event of an attack.
- Periodic simulations: carry out practical tests to verify the effectiveness of the plan and train the personnel involved.
NIS 2 Directive: everything you need to know
The need for an effective risk assessment and a solid risk management plan is reflected in the NIS 2 Directive (Network and Information Security Directive). Regulation is one of the most significant developments in the European cybersecurity landscape. The update of the original Directive (NIS 2016) reflects the urgency of strengthening the security of critical infrastructure and essential services in response to increasing complexity of cyber threats. It entered into force in 2023 and has been transposed into Italian national law since 17 October 2024.
NIS 2 places a special focus on resilience, cross-border collaboration and corporate responsibility. NIS 2 at a glance:
- Expanded scope
- It involves new industries, such as postal services, cloud service providers, data centers, and pharmaceutical companies.
- It includes not only large companies, but also some SMEs, based on their strategic importance.
- Safety requirements
Businesses need to implement:- risk management policies. E.g., periodic threat analyses and mitigation measures;
- advanced protection. Encryption, network segmentation, and intrusion detection technologies;
- international frameworks, such as ISO 27001, the adoption of which can facilitate compliance with the regulation.
- Incident reporting. More stringent times: :
- within 24 hours of identifying the incident, a prior notification must be sent to the relevant authorities;
- After 72 hours, a detailed report with technical and operational information.
- Role of managers
- Increased accountability for top management, with potential penalties for failure to oversee or implement appropriate measures.
- Specific training for executives on cybersecurity.
Positive impacts
- Increased cooperation: The Directive promotes the sharing of information on threats between different actors in the sector.
- Reduced systemic risk: By strengthening key industries, you reduce the risk of large-scale disruptions.
Adopting a cybersecurity strategy is a must-have investment for any business. Integrating accurate risk assessment with the adoption of advanced technologies and compliance with regulations such as NIS 2 also provides a dual benefit: effective protection against threats and competitive positioning in the market. Cybersecurity, today, is not only a defense against attacks, but a strategic lever for success and innovation.
