What Is Cyber Security Posture? Definition and Importance

Like in any industry, cyber security and cybercrime is constantly evolving. So, to keep in touch, you’ll need to take the time and effort to remain familiar with upcoming trends and lingo.

One such term to the cyber-lexicon is the concept of “cyber security posture.”

What is Cyber Security Posture?

Cyber security posture, or security posture, refers to the overall strength of an organization’s policies, controls, and effectiveness towards mitigating cyber-attacks. This “posture” focuses on the relative security of an organization’s IT assets, particularly in reference to the Internet and any vulnerabilities to outside threats.

For organizations that rely on the internet for their business, cybersecurity posture is especially important.

A closer look.

Organizations that use hardware, software, digital technologies (e.g. cloud computing and other online services) are vulnerable to current and emerging risks. The policies, procedures, and controls to prevent these risks are referred to as cyber security, however, it’s the holistic approach developed to mitigate the likelihood of cyber-related incidents that establishes a cyber security posture. This includes not only the state of an organization’s IT infrastructure, but also any practices, processes, and human behaviours.

Essentially, a strong cyber security posture embodies the complex relationship between physical, virtual, and human factors that make up the overall structure of an organization.

To better understand the cyber security posture at your organization, consider the following questions:

1. What is the biggest security concern, vulnerability, and/or threat to your organization?
2. What resources, strategies, and/or measures are already established to mitigate these risks?
3. Are your policies, procedures, and controls up-to-date and capable of preventing breaches against current and emerging threats?
4. Do you have analytical tools that can measure, analyze, and monitor the landscape of your organization’s cyber security?
5. Are your staff, employees, and senior management educated on your organization’s cyber security policies, procedures, and controls?

Without a clear understanding of potential threats, vulnerabilities, and risks, the result can be unwanted issues, wasted security expenses, misalignment of security initiatives and company objectives, and a culture that jeopardizes the overall integrity of your organization.

If you’re not sure what your organization’s cyber security posture is, but want to take a proactive stance to develop, harden, or improve it, here’s what you can do:

1. Evaluate your organization’s current position on cyber security and determine where you need to go, and what you need to do in order to get there.
2. Understand gaps in your cyber security;
3. Invest in appropriate and effective measures to protect confidentiality, integrity, and availability of your critical assets;
4. Establish an action plan which all levels of your organization can follow to strengthen your cyber security defence;

Ultimately, cyber security posture isn’t just a term you should know, but something you should actively do. Establishing a strong cyber security posture should be the top-most important goal at your organization.

Remember, cyber security is everyone’s job. The success of your organization’s security will be dependent on the compliance of policies, procedures, and controls at every level.