4 ways to use planning & analytics to add to your CISO shine
The most used phrase in your vocabulary is probably ‘risk management’ – and so it should be. After all, that’s your key focus as CISO.
For today’s C-level, data, analytics, and planning are powerful tools for making informed decisions. They reduce the manual work and decisions that you and the other executives are expected to make, as well as the likelihood of making mistakes. And there’s every reason why you too should take advantage of the same tools.
In their Security Priorities 2023 Report, Info-Tech Research Group point out that ‘Next-gen cybersecurity technologies alone are not the silver bullet. A combination of technologies with skilled talent, useful data, and best practices will give a competitive advantage.”
So, how can you use data, planning and analytics tools to improve outcomes and help you manage and minimise risk in the business?
1. Take a proactive approach to risk management
If you’ve been relying on a range of technologies to provide critical reporting, and then manually combining that data for more meaningful outcomes – why not use data and analytics to do the heavy lifting? Identify, consolidate (from all sources), report on and prioritise potential security risks to the organisation – at the touch of the proverbial button.
In addition, this invaluable data can help inform decisions about allocating resources to mitigate those issues, and ultimately reduce the risk that the business carries.
2. Champion company-wide compliance
If your businesses is subject to regulatory, compliance, or contractually driven privacy or information security requirements, then keeping everyone on the straight and narrow can be a challenge. However, you can use analytics to monitor and track the behaviour of employees at large as well as reporting on recidivist individuals.
When you know what is happening where, and who is responsible, you can maintain compliance and reduce risk. This includes protecting the business from potentially crippling fines or the legal fallout from breaches of contract.
3. Finetune operational efficiency
You know there are inefficiencies in your security processes, but putting your finger on them is a bit harder done than said. Analytics can identify those inefficiencies so you know what needs to be optimised, so you reduce the time and resources required to manage security.
4. Finesse your financial planning
Struggling to talk (in the same language) to your CEO or the board about the financial impacts of proposed changes? When you have scenario planning, you’ll find you’re all on the same page. Your data will enable other business leaders to make faster and better-informed security decisions without undergoing a long budgeting process.
This year, planning and analytics may be your best sidekick in your mission to improve security and reduce risk. We won’t say it’s risk management made easy – but it can definitely lift some weight off your shoulders.
Adam van Vliet
Chief Information Security Officer - Enterprise Cloud & Security - Fusion5