When most people think of business innovation, the first thing they think about is coming up with new products and services. However, innovation can apply to a number of areas in the business world, including security. Some of the most innovative companies use their thinking to boost their security with new and creative ideas. Here are a few things to learn from innovative examples:
Mix Old and New Security Methods
The digital landscape is changing at a rapid pace, especially when it comes to managing and securing data through the cloud, the Internet of Things, mobile applications, big data services, and more. It can be tempting to jump into the newest security devices and practices, but those methods can often be unproven and risky. Instead, innovative companies combine new, tech-savvy security methods with older, more traditional ideas. The best companies stick with proven security methods while also adding new ideas to create an integrated security solution.
For newer products like mobile devices and the IoT, security needs to be integrated into the apps. These security systems need to know how to identify and prevent attacks from both inside and outside the apps, as well as how to use correlation analytics across networks and data. Strong, innovative systems respond to threats with learning powered by big data and analytics, meaning they can automatically adapt the response based on the nature of the threat.
Some of the best things companies can do to stay safe are the basics that everyone knows, but not everyone does: making sure passwords aren’t set to the default and are changed regularly, correcting authorizations, and setting up strong encryption protocols, just to name a few. Companies need to have a strong plan in place that addresses both old and new security threats. That plan also needs to ensure everyone knows what to do when a threat is discovered. The best companies test their systems regularly to make sure the measures in place can keep out hackers and that employees know what to do when an attack comes.
Create a Security Culture
In our ever-connected world, data and technology security isn’t just the responsibility of the IT department—it belongs to everyone. At most companies, every employee has multiple devices that could be at risk at any minute, and it can be overwhelming to monitor and secure every single device with just a small team of people. Instead, physical and data security needs to be a cornerstone of the company culture. This includes making sure every employee knows the role they play in keeping the company and its data safe and that they have the tools to do that. Innovative companies do this by creating strong end-to-end security processes and keeping employees updated through regular training about the latest threats and how to avoid them.
Many employees throughout companies love having the newest technology, but many of them don’t realize the risks it brings. When they see the security costs of their dream technology, including machine learning, artificial intelligence, and mobile devices, they will likely take a better view of participating in company-wide security efforts. When everyone within the company is working on the same team, the security network is much stronger, and threats can be identified and neutralized much more quickly.
Move Quickly and Strategically
The amount of data businesses use is increasing at an astronomical pace. As more data is added to devices and networks, the vulnerability of those platforms also increases. Innovative companies know the importance of being agile in their security programs to adapt to changing demands and data, but they also work strategically. Speed is important because the longer data sits unprotected or with an outdated system, the more time hackers have to work their way in, but companies also shouldn’t throw security plans in place just for the sake of having something. Innovative companies have an outline of their general security strategy and then have processes and plans in place to tweak that strategy to fit the changing needs of the organization. Having a plan helps these companies stay proactive while also using their resources well.
Author Bio: Rick Delgado is a freelancer tech writer and commentator. He enjoys writing about new technologies and trends, and how they can help us. Rick occasionally writes for several tech companies and industry publications.
Rick Delgado is a guest blogger, all opinions are his own
