In answer to this question, an astonishing 37% of businesses had a cyber security breach last year. To manage your cyber security, and control your risks, you need to first know your cyber vulnerabilities.
Vulnerability assessment services take a complete look at your people, technology, and processes to find all the weaknesses.
A best in class vulnerability assessment dashboard should be an automated continuously running dashboard looking for every risk, including: humans (phishing is the source of 90% of cyber hacks), dark web scanning, awareness and elearning; Network, cloud, endpoint, and device scanning. This should be in addition to processes for clear reporting of risk in the business for all teams from c-suite to the floor.
Cyber Vulnerability Assessment at All Levels of your Business is Crucial
Security-wise: Cyber assessment keeps you on top of the basics, not just the complex.
- Yet just 31% of businesses update their software regularly
- The risks are clear, criminals can ransom or steal your finances, your data, and cause harm to your reputation.
Audit-wise: Auditors are moving to a continuous view of cyber risk. By monitoring vulnerabilities every day across client businesses, there is now an ongoing and evolving view of risk, not just annually.
Compliance: To combat the increased cyber threat globally, governments worldwide are increasing the obligations on businesses to take cyber security measures. This includes Cyber Essentials and Cyber Essentials Plus in the UK, Cyber Fundamentals, NIST, ISA315, and NIS2. Each of these frameworks and standards requires businesses to provide a fulsome suite of data and information on their cyber security set up and processes. Failure to comply means missing out on large project procurement where cyber security is a necessity, and in some cases large fines for failing to be compliant.
Summary – Why Cyber Vulnerability Assessment is Crucial to Businesses of all Sizes
- Proactive Risk Management: Identify vulnerabilities before they are exploited – whether technical or human. Don’t wait for a breach to occur. Then its too late.
- Cost Efficiency: The cost of recovering from a cyberattack far exceeds the investment in regular assessment. By identifying and fixing issues in advance, businesses can avoid the financial consequences of data breaches, ransom payments, and reputational damage.
- Improved Security Posture: Get a clear picture of your organization’s security health. With regular assessments, businesses can strengthen their defenses by addressing gaps in technology, processes, and employee training.
- Compliance and Regulatory Demands: Many industries are required to adhere to stringent security regulations. Failure to comply can result in hefty fines or loss of business opportunities. A vulnerability assessment helps organizations meet compliance requirements and avoid penalties.
- Build Trust: Clients and partners are more likely to work with businesses that take cybersecurity seriously. Demonstrating a commitment to continuous vulnerability assessment enhances your trust and credibility in the marketplace.
