Benefits of creating a ‘Culture of Security’

Today is Safer Internet Day and here is our top tip for business: create a culture of security.

We believe that creating a culture of security is one of the best and most cost-effective solutions for any business. Thus, please enjoy this blog post explaining the benefits from Tatry Group:
What are the benefits?

• Improved attitudes towards security compliance with security procedures
• Reduction in vulnerability to Insider Threat
• Increase awareness and reporting of security related issues
• Highly cost effective security solution

 
This is by no means an exclusive list, but shows clear benefits – based on research and hard evidence – many organisations can enjoy with a successful security strategy.
 
Improved attitudes towards security compliance with security procedures
 
Good security is achieved through the everyday actions of all employees across an organisation. It is not achieved by simply expecting a department or outsourced company to get on with it. However, how can that be achieved when most people have a grudge against security as an interrupting disproportionate business disabler? By creating a culture of security. If successful, this will improve the attitudes towards security as a shared responsibility and thus achieving better security through the everyday actions of all employees.
 
Reduction in vulnerability to Insider Threat
 
Poor security culture is a major factor for an organisation’s increased vulnerability to Insider Threat.
 
This is defined by the Centre for the Protection of National Infrastructure (CPNI) as ‘a person who exploits, or has the intention to exploit, their legitimate access to an organisation’s assets for unauthorised purposes’. Some of the main outcomes to Insider Threats are disclosure of sensitive information, corruption and physical, electronic or IT sabotage.
 
Insider Threat research conducted by the CPNI concluded that poor security culture was a major factor where insider acts have taken place. This is due to a general lack of compliance to security policies and practices by employees. Simply by creating an efficient culture of security this vulnerability is reduced as policy and procedures would make an insider act more difficult to conduct.   
 
Increase awareness and reporting of security related issues
 
Security issues or incidents don’t exist in the eyes or management if they are not reported. However, if they are this information can be turned in actionable intelligence to move the organisation security strategy forward.
 
In our eyes at Sisk Security, information comes in the form of raw data lacking any insight. However, intelligence is considered and refined to provide insight. The essential feature for intelligence is that it can be of use to the decision maker and prove return of investment either tactically, strategically or operationally. An effective culture of security will increase the likelihood of issues or incidents being reported which can lead to strategic or operational security improvements.
 
Highly cost effective security solution
 
When you think of security measures, most will think of CCTV, fences, manned guarding or access systems. While these can be cost effective if implemented correctly, they are all quite expensive for an organisation to implement and then maintain; especially if that organisation is a small or medium sized business.
 
Conversely, a culture of security can be implemented by management with simple strategic and operational changes which can be highly effective in managing risk.
 
Even if outside expertise and experience were required to develop strategy – your organisation will only be paying a small fee compared to the benefits expertise can bring. If that is the case, see below and contact us today for an initial no obligation discussion.  
 
Need help?
 
Weather your organisation is small, medium or large – if you’re based in Buckinghamshire, Bedfordshire or Hertfordshire – we can help develop your culture of security or security strategy.
 
Contact us today for a free no obligation meeting to discuss how we can add value to your organisation with our security consultancy service.