Five Tips for Security Assessments

A growing and decidedly positive trend in the IT security domain is the widespread prevalence of security assessments. Organizations all the world over are opting to conduct periodic security assessments to ensure the safety of their IT assets.

This is no doubt a welcome change. Of course, there are still exceptions to the rule; some organizations still view security assessments as an unnecessary process that merely serves to disrupt the daily operations of business.

This, of course, is a gross misconception. Given the fact that most business processes these days are dependent on digital modes, the task of safeguarding your IT infrastructure needs to be accorded the highest priority.

This is where many businesses still falter. Security assessments can be hard to master, and often the sheer complexity of the task prevents organizations from opting to undertake one. While external help should always be sought when required, the mindset of carrying out security assessments must be ingrained in the company culture, across all levels.

In order to enable businesses better their digital fortunes, here are five top tips for security assessments that should be followed with due diligence.

Analyze for Best Results

The act of carrying out a security assessment does not merely end with documenting the findings; the next step of analysis is all the more important. Proper analysis by experts can reveal valuable insights that can uncover previously unknown security holes.

Remember to Prioritize

Not all threats are created equal; and therefore they need not be handled similarly. After findings, make sure to assign priority levels to the risks uncovered and then deal with them in order of their priority. Otherwise you may be left dealing with risks of a lower order, while more glaring ones remain ripe for exploitation by malicious entities.

Include the Right Stats

Your security assessment should be supported by the correct set of facts and figures. Merely including written findings may not be enough to satisfy the top management. Support your findings with the right set of figures and statistics. This not only guarantees the absolute thoroughness of your assessments but also ensures any inadvertent mistakes don’t creep in.

Involve All Departments

One thing that must be understood is that security assessments are not merely the purview of the IT department. Digital assets are utilized by all departments of the organization, and hence it is the responsibility of those in charge of the assessment to ensure the participation of all departments in the exercise.

When in Doubt, Seek Advice

It is common to face doubt and confusion during the assessment process; in such situations it is prudent to seek the help of professionals who are adept in handling such assessments.

Final Thoughts

It is heartening to see businesses taking the route to regular security assessments. As more and more organizations opt to conduct such exercises, the future of digital security will no doubt be more secure than it is currently. That is the day we all should aim to celebrate.

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