Cybersecurity is no longer just about prevention; it’s about building cyber resilience. This means not only preventing attacks but also having the capability to quickly detect, respond to, and recover from incidents. This workshop provided a deep dive into how managed service providers (MSPs) can build this crucial capability, focusing on key frameworks, practical strategies, and actionable advice.
The Paradigm Shift: From Prevention to Resilience
The traditional approach to cybersecurity, focused primarily on preventing attacks, is no longer sufficient. The reality is that breaches are inevitable. The new mindset must embrace the assumption of a compromised environment. This requires a shift from a focus on purely preventative and detective controls to incorporating robust response and recovery capabilities.
Key Takeaways: Building a Resilient MSP
The workshop emphasized the importance of aligning cybersecurity efforts with business goals and the need to create a cyber-resilient framework. Here are the critical insights:
- Focus on the “Boom”: The focus should be on understanding what happens after a breach (the “boom”). This includes having the capabilities to detect, respond to, and recover from incidents quickly.
- Embrace Frameworks: Leveraging established cybersecurity frameworks, like the NIST Cybersecurity Framework or the Cyber Kill Chain, provides a structured approach to building resilience. These frameworks can help identify gaps in security posture and prioritize improvements.
- Prioritize People, Process, and Technology (in that order): The most common challenges faced by organizations are related to people, process, and technology, with often technology being over-emphasized while processes and personnel are overlooked. A successful resilience strategy requires the right combination of all three.
- Adopt an Assumed Breach Mentality: Assume that a breach will occur, and prepare accordingly. This means having plans in place for detection, containment, and recovery, as well as regularly testing those plans.
- Leverage Frameworks Effectively: Using models such as the Cyber Defense Matrix helps to understand and visualize the security program and its alignment with various frameworks. It also provides a mechanism for determining how to adjust the security program to accommodate changing needs or evolving security posture.
- Implement the Right Controls: The right security controls aligned with the company’s business and risk profile should be implemented in a way that they do more good than harm. This will help to shrink the timeline from detection to recovery.
Addressing Common Challenges
The discussion highlighted several significant challenges for organizations attempting to build cyber resilience. They include:
- Shelfware: The over-purchase of security tools without proper implementation, management, and integration into existing processes leads to wasted resources and little improvement in overall security posture.
- People and Process Gaps: Underinvestment in people, particularly in the areas of incident response, threat hunting, and security operations, leads to the under-utilization of security tools and poor detection and response capabilities. Lack of documented processes and procedures exacerbates the problem.
- Balancing Protection & Recovery: The emphasis on resilience required a shift in priorities and a focus on identifying and protecting. This can lead to a lack of focus on detection, and response and recovery capability.
Strategies for MSPs
To overcome the challenges, MSPs should focus on:
- Developing strong internal security practices: Focus on using the right tools and understanding how to leverage tools.
- Shifting focus to right of boom activities: Preparing for the inevitable and focusing on detection and response.
- Building Internal capabilities: Focusing on internal training and education for staff members.
Conclusion
Building cyber resilience is a journey, not a destination. By embracing an assumed breach mentality, leveraging established frameworks, and focusing on the essential elements of people, process, and technology, MSPs can significantly improve their ability to withstand cyberattacks and maintain business continuity. The insights shared in this workshop provide a valuable roadmap for organizations looking to enhance their cybersecurity posture and protect themselves in the face of evolving cyber threats.