Security – a shared responsibility

Security should no longer be the sole responsibility of Chief Information Officers (CIOs) and Chief Information Security Officers (CISOs). Cyber threats and attacks have become more sophisticated and frequent and security has become a critical concern for every organization.

In today's rapidly evolving threat landscape, cyber threats are more sophisticated and widespread than ever before. As a result, it is essential that everyone in an organization be involved in security. This includes employees at all levels, from the CEO to the front-line staff.

Traditionally, the responsibility for security was placed on the shoulders of the CIOs and CISOs, but this is no longer a viable approach. Organizations now have a larger attack surface due to the rise of remote work, cloud computing, and mobile devices, making them more susceptible to cyber threats. Additionally, organizations can no longer rely on a universal security solution due to the evolving nature of cyber threats. Instead, they must take an approach that includes every organization member.

There are a number of reasons why security should be a shared responsibility. First, no one person or team can have all the knowledge and expertise necessary to protect an organization from all cyber threats. Secondly, security is everyone's business. Everyone in an organization has a role to play in protecting the organization's assets. Thirdly, by sharing the responsibility for security, organizations can create a culture of security that is more resilient to attacks.

So, What Organizations can do to make security a shared responsibility:

· Employee training: Employees should be trained on security best practices, such as how to create strong passwords, how to identify phishing emails, and how to report suspicious activity.

· Security policies and procedures: Organizations should have clear security policies and procedures in place that define the roles and responsibilities of everyone in the organization for security.

· Security technologies: Organizations should invest in security technologies, such as firewalls, intrusion detection systems, and antivirus software.

· Security awareness: Organizations should create a culture of security awareness by communicating the importance of security to all employees and by rewarding employees for taking security seriously.

Having said that, building a security culture in an organization is essential for protecting its data and assets from cyber threats. A security culture is a shared understanding of the importance of security and the commitment to taking steps to protect the organization. With this organizations can make security a shared responsibility and help to protect their assets from cyber threats.

Dr. Deepak Kumar Sahu, President & CEO, VARINDIA