Are your cybersecurity tools disparate, overlapping, or underutilized? This article provides you with actionable recommendations for improving the quantity and quality of tools in your cyber defense arsenal.
Research indicates that security leaders rely too heavily on security tools to protect them from a data breach. A strategic, well-planned cybersecurity defense posture goes beyond the ability to purchase tools.
Oftentimes, security and information technology (IT) business areas work in silos during the tool procurement process. They sometimes fail to realize that certain tools may be able to address cross-functional enterprise needs while reducing overall cybersecurity risk.
Top Cybersecurity Tool Management Concerns by Security Leaders
Duplication of tool efforts: We consistently see business owners fail to conduct enterprise-wide due diligence prior to tool purchases. Due to the pace of operations, business areas sometimes operate on ‘islands’. They fail to communicate their needs or solutions to other business units.
Real-time view of enterprise risk: Business areas working in silos often find out after it’s too late that they have purchased the same tool as another area. Lack of insights on existing tools and capabilities makes it challenging to determine capabilities, identify security coverage gaps, and understand the bigger enterprise risk picture.
Tool review for compliance: With increasing compliance standards and increasing data privacy regulation, it is critical that your company track which assets and controls meet regulatory and compliance policies. This helps determine the efficacy of your security controls.
Cybersecurity Tool Management Recommendations
The first step in any new tool consideration is to review company policy on who can make information technology and operational technology (OT) purchases. Then, if not already in place, consider establishing a database to track ownership of tool acquisition responsibilities, existing tools, and what challenges specific tools solve for your company.
In addition, be sure to capture the types of challenges that the tool could meet if it was further deployed. Consider forming a cybersecurity tool task force comprised of relevant business unit stakeholders.
In summary, here are six best practices you can adopt today to track and make more informed tool investment planning and resource decisions:
- Review existing organizational policy related to tool or technology procurement.
- Develop an enterprise-wide, comprehensive list of tools and capabilities.
- Identify, document, and track all business area tool needs and organizational preferences.
- Advertise new and relevant legacy products to your workforce for awareness.
- When evaluating tool purchases, review existing tools to determine whether they can, or be expanded by the vendor, meet your needs.
- Review your tool investments annually for relevance and sunset those that are no longer in use.
GPSG’s Cybersecurity Matrix Can Help Maximize Tool Spend
If you need help achieving peak efficiency with your cybersecurity tools, GPSG offers an in-depth review and provide recommendations for new tools or removal options in cases where tools overlap.
Results include strengthening your ability to identify control coverage gaps across security functions, view all enterprise assets, and maximize collection and correlation of data.
GPSG’s approach includes the following primary focus areas:
IDENTIFY: GPSG experts will identify your organization’s current toolset capabilities and organizational preferences for updates to, or inaugural development, of a comprehensive, enterprise-wide tool tracker.
EVALUATE: GPSG will evaluate your company’s existing toolset to identify any security coverage gaps or duplication by leveraging GPSG’s Cybersecurity Matrix. This includes working with your existing tool vendors for to explore the potential for additional capabilities to address any identified gaps.
RECOMMEND: GPSG will provide actionable recommendations for tool reduction, additional features for existing tools, and/or additional tools to best protect your company’s critical data and assets. Our experts will work with your team to establish your enterprise process for due diligence on tool acquisition.
Contact GPSG at cyberteam@gpsg.co for a free consultation to enhance your cybersecurity tool management.
Disclaimer: This blog provides ever changing content, conversations, and insights on cyber threats and trending solutions that is accurate to the best of our knowledge. Although we are cybersecurity experts, we provide information which we hope is helpful, and do not endorse any specific products, tools, or solutions referenced herein. Consult with your cybersecurity team before taking any action.