As digital technologies evolve and companies across the Middle East and Africa ( MEA ) more readily embrace cloud computing and the associated benefits , so too are threat actors becoming more advanced and persistent in their attacks . Take the prevalence of malware as an example . While the tools used to exploit weak points in the network might become more sophisticated , the fundamental premise still holds true – basic issues around phishing and poor patching remain the most popular methods of exploiting weak points when it comes to the integrity of business systems . This is as much a human challenge as it is a technical one to solve . Constant vigilance remains key . The best network security in the world means little if employees are not informed about the latest cyberattack trends . And with so many companies relying on the cloud for data analysis and collaboration , any weakness in network security can result in far-reaching compromises that impact the business bottom line as well as the reputation of the organisation .

There is no universal cybersecurity strategy that works for every organisation . Instead , each company must design a network security framework that suits its specific requirements and risk appetite , and reflects the overall digital readiness of the business . An effective network strategy starts by carefully assessing the systems and processes already in place and identifying their weak points . Frequent audits become critical to ensure all these systems are running optimally . Managed firewalls , malware protection and Business Continuity solutions form vital components of a network security strategy . Part of this will also include on-going employee education especially when it comes to social engineering-based attacks . If the organisation stays up-to-date with emerging cyberthreats , it can take the appropriate steps to future-proof its network security strategy . This could include frequent pressure testing of potential weak points , and the building and maintenance of a cybersecurity maturity matrix .

This includes things such as how advanced and secure the technology stack is , how robust the password processes of the company are , and the preparedness levels of staff to deal with cybersecurity threats . That said , network security can encompass any number of tools , devices and solutions . From access control all the way through to behavioural analytics , the environment is complex . Selecting the best tools depends as much on the type of business as much as it does on its level of cloud access , employee education , and solutions already in place . Managed security services offer an excellent option for organisations who want to benefit from a holistic view of vendors and the security ecosystem as a whole .

Being secure in the digital environment today requires a business to adopt an agile , proactive approach . The days of simply installing a firewall and anti-virus to protect the network are long gone . CIOs must look beyond positioning cybersecurity as an afterthought . Instead , it is about having it integrated into the design of all business processes .

Securing the network does not happen after the fact . It requires a concerted effort to align all systems through the right understanding and intelligence to better anticipate trends and patterns . This will help the company better anticipate trends and patterns and implement the protection where it is most required .

Security must become the top consideration for any C-suite decision-maker . The first thing is to get the basics right , make sure patching is up-to-date and the tools that you have already invested in are operating optimally . As networks become more complex thanks to the adoption of cloud and agile technologies , companies must rethink how they approach their proactive and reactive defensive measures and become less reliant on the outer perimeter but have a multilayer approach augmented by threat intelligence .

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Intelligent CIO Africa Issue 52 | Page 27