Enterprise Security Management: A Complete Guide | Nordic Defender

As enterprises continue to develop and grow, they may face increased security risks since cybercriminals try to design new techniques to target BYOD devices, organisational systems, backend servers, and databases. Here Enterprise Security Management (ESM) comes to the forefront as a powerful practice to mitigate cyber security risks and concerns.

Nowadays, enterprises and large organisations need to devote more attention to the ESM approach that helps them establish a sustainable security strategy and stabilise critical infrastructures in organisations.

ESM is a holistic practice to integrate cutting-edge security technologies and tools into your company’s daily processes and routines.

Read this article if you want to find out more about enterprise security management. We will give answers to the following questions:

What is enterprise cyber security?
What is the difference between cyber security and enterprise security?
What is the highest level of cyber security?
What are the different components of enterprise security management?
What are the best practices of enterprise security management?
What is the best enterprise security management structure?
How can MSSPs help deploy good enterprise security?
Why must enterprises invest in their enterprise security management strategy?

What is Enterprise Security?

Enterprise security is a broader concept compared to routine security strategies since it involves various technologies, techniques, and processes to make up a seamless security framework for an organisation or enterprise company. Undoubtedly, there is a wide range of cyber threats against digital assets, including unauthorised access, data misuse, or data breaches. So, enterprise security must work on designing a comprehensive plan which aims at controlling all of these threats with reliable approaches.

One of the crucial roles of every enterprise security plan is the ability to take legal structures and regulatory laws into consideration to make the path clear for growth and development. If not, an enterprise company couldn’t expand and enter new markets, especially when it comes to entering international markets.

Enterprise security focuses on defending organisations from bad actors. Note that these bad actors may be external hackers or internal employees that perform malicious activities deliberately or unintentionally. All things considered, enterprise security is the method of protecting an organisation’s data, IT systems, and information assets and preventing data breaches and exploits.

The ESM methodology is focused on the following to creatively bring convenience into your organisation:

Data centre security
Network security
Web server operations security
Risk management
Threat detection, protection, and response

What is the Difference Between Cyber Security and Enterprise Security?

Cybersecurity and enterprise security are often used interchangeably, but they represent 2 different things. Cyber security is the practice of protecting systems and networks from malicious attacks that target electronic data in a company or even a personal computer.

Cyber threats that fall in this category can be in one of the following forms:

Phishing attacks
Ransomware
Password-based attacks
Etc

It requires great attention to differentiate between cybersecurity and enterprise security since enterprise security management demonstrates a broader concept. Enterprise security management focuses on protecting data in all forms and is composed of various strategies and techniques to reduce the risks of cyberattacks for organisations and enterprise-level companies. Enterprise security management needs policies and plans, and a professional team should work to align all organisational workflows with predefined goals and cybersecurity regulations.

Why is Enterprise Security Management Important?

Enterprise security management is increasingly important since organisations will likely be impacted by cybercrimes and cyber threats. If there is no update in your enterprise security management, you cannot guarantee your systems and devices are protected against new techniques hackers use. Today, the most important services of large companies are delivered over online platforms, and customers like to get these services online for more comfort.

As a consequence, enterprise security management is considered a matter of priority to offer the best and trusty services to clients. Enterprise security management is so important because a small cyber attack can cost a business millions of dollars, resulting in huge brand and reputation damage.

Most organisations believe in cyber security, and they know there is a need to protect sensitive data from attackers and cybercriminals. But, the way they plan a cyber security strategy and implement it can be a challenging issue as many companies don’t have a well-defined method to reach their goals. Enterprise security management has an all-inclusive solution to control security threats from both outside attackers and insider threats.

Here is why a good enterprise security management strategy is fundamentally important for an enterprise company. It:

Protects your sensitive data
Prevents data loss
Provides a good level of reputation for your brand
Brings convenience into your company
Ensures that your company complies with regulations
Offers organisation-wide protection
Reduces the risks of remote work
Keeps penalties and fines away
Builds trust with customers and other stakeholders

Practical Ways to Implement Enterprise Security Risk Management

Enterprise security risk management is a strategic approach, and it requires an all-around view of overall security risks in your organisation. Nordic Defender Cyber Security Team offers a complete roadmap for enterprise security risk management to help organisations take advantage of this world-class approach for detecting, managing, and eliminating cyber threats.

Here is how our practical method works for Scandinavian enterprise companies:

Organisation-Wide View of Security Assets

Information security deals with the protection of organisational assets to entirely control cyber threats or mitigate the risks of cyberattacks. Getting help from an organisation-wide approach for protecting security assets has become an essential part of enterprise security management concepts in recent years.

When cyber security teams look at digital assets from a higher viewpoint, they can figure out which organisational assets are the most valuable and which one requires the most expenditure and effort.

Most enterprises spend a lot of money on securing their systems and network to protect their digital assets. But does their strategy focus on the risky and critical points?

As a rule, professional cyber security teams combine several techniques to have an organisation-wide security asset analysis. This is how it works and helps enterprise benefit from this approach:

Determining valuable assets
Implementing new technologies and tools to protect digital assets
Reviewing and updating plans and practices regularly

Threat Modelling and Assessment and Risk Assessment

Threat modelling is a vital part of cyber security when it comes to integrating security into web services and organisational networks. Threat modelling works to identify and understand threats and risks that are related to the context of protecting value in an organisation. A threat model is considered a representation of all information about the scope of cyber security, and it is the first step in any cyber security solution.

Threat modelling consists of all information and data regarding the following:

Description of the subject
Potential threats
Actions to be taken to hinder threats
Ways that help us validate our success and check results

Threat assessment is an integral part of threat modelling, and it helps our enterprise security management strategy improve and flourish over time. Threat assessment aims at evaluating and verifying perceived threats, and it can tell us valuable information about the likelihood of potential threats.

Conducting an all-around threat assessment gives us an opportunity to:

Identify and fix IT security issues
Prevent harmful data breaches
Choose appropriate strategies and define new controls to mitigate risks
Prioritise those worthwhile assets that are at the highest risk
Evaluate third parties and security partners
Make sure there is a good level of regulatory compliance condition
Know which features and tools are needed for the future

Nordic Defender’s enterprise security management strategy includes all these components and practices to provide you with all the requirements to understand the impacts of these cyber security threats in your organisation:

Theft of sensitive information
Hardware damage and data loss
Malware and viruses
Compromised credentials
Company website failure
Natural disasters and incidents that could affect hardware tools and systems

Developing Plans for Risk Mitigation

Nordic Defender’s enterprise security management is focused on mitigating cyber security risks that Scandinavian companies may encounter during their development and growth process. There are practical methods and policies that help us mitigate the overall risk or impact of cyber security threats. In fact, your cyber security team’s foremost task should be to develop a risk mitigation plan to ensure your organisation can deal with potential threats.

Risk mitigation consists of different parts, and it needs a thorough plan, including the following steps:

Conducting a cyber security risk assessment
Establishing network access controls
Configuring firewalls and antivirus software tools
Monitoring network traffic regularly
Creating a patch management strategy
Building an incident response plan
Handling insider threats
Monitoring and controlling third-party suppliers and clients
Creating physical security of systems and devices

Investing in the right cyber security architecture is one of the most influential and resultful strategies to mitigate the risks of cyberattacks. We must ensure all the network elements, including computers, switches, routers, edge devices, and modems, are up to date and well protected against cyber threats. In addition, firewalls are a fundamental part of our risk mitigation plan as they are considered a protective gauge between your organisation and the outside world. Greater control and authority come when network firewalls are all configured at their best condition, providing a satisfactory level of incoming and outgoing traffic control.

Creating a Corporate Security Policy

IT security policies are key entities in the success story of any organisation. They are the backbone of all processes and plans that will be put in place in time, helping cyber security teams align strategies according to regulatory rules and comply with them. An enterprise security management strategy must include a corporate security policy to completely determine which set of standards is required to get to the desired level of security in an organisation.

Having a comprehensive security policy is beneficial for organisations since it helps improve an organisation’s overall security posture. Providing a corporate security policy is vital because it:

Guides cyber security team to implement technical controls
Underlines clear expectations
Helps meet regulatory and compliance requirements
Provides a transparent security statement to third-party partners

An information security policy should include some essential parts, but there may be more topics included according to the industry and organisation type:

Access control
Identification and authentication
Data classification
Remote access
Backups
Patching
Encryption
Physical security
Change management
Server security

Organisational security policies are a comprehensive document of entire security programs that will be put into practice in the future.

Pursuing Continuous Improvement

Should we emphasise continuous improvement in cyber security? Of course!

With the changing nature of information technology and the proliferation of threat actors and evolving techniques, we are under an obligation to provide a dynamic and ever-updating cybersecurity strategy to cover current and future needs. Getting success in the case of cyber security means continuous monitoring, managing, controlling, and improving.

Cybercriminals and hackers are getting smarter over time, and outdated cybersecurity techniques don’t make sense in such a situation. We need to take further steps and improve our enterprise security strategies to be able to deal with unexplored cyberattack methodologies.

Here are some of the benefits of including the continuous improvement strategy in our enterprise security management plan:

Higher productivity
Faster responses
Lower error ratio
Decreased costs
Improved time efficiency

There are 3 essential points to consider regarding continuous improvement in cyber security as follows:

Small changes can result in great results
Constant improvement leads to long-term value
Measuring improvements helps outline outcomes

Methods to Develop a Foolproof Security Policy

Enterprise security management comes to nothing without a foolproof security policy. Every security policy deals with 2 main concerns, including external threats and internal risks that may cause problems for any organisation. So, having full insight into those concerns can help us develop the best possible security policy.

A security policy is an ideal representation of current and future tasks and procedures, and it should be clearly written and observed by all stakeholders. A good enterprise security policy protects not only sensitive information and networks, but also employees and the organisation are protected through a well-structured security policy.

Want to develop one of the best working security policies for your organisation? Nordic Defender’s team is ready to provide you with complete recommendations about this. Feel free to contact us through a phone call or by the contact form.

We define enterprise security policy in 8 different sections as below, including all the expectations and requirements to achieve the best results.

Network Access Policy

A network that runs on a reliable policy can produce positive outcomes, and cyber security teams can automate it and handle changes more easily. Note that enterprise security comes when there is a comprehensive network access policy that includes all tasks, such as adding devices and users and inserting new applications and services.

A network that follows well-defined guidelines is capable of helping us fulfil future objectives by governing the following:

Users
Devices
Applications
Data types

Effective network access control restricts and monitors access to only devices with authorised permissions, meaning unauthorised people are kept out of a private network. Network access control, or NAC, is one of the essential tools that controls network access by providing a good level of protection, ensuring applications, networks, and systems are completely safe.

Password Usage Policy

A password policy defines all the necessary rules and considerations about creating and using passwords in a specific system or network. Enterprise security management should have a thorough policy with a good password policy defined by the best and proven standards.

We can specify many standards and rules for managing passwords. All in all, there is defined rules for the following tasks:

Creating new passwords
Changing passwords
Deleting passwords

A password policy in an enterprise security management strategy can provide the following benefits:

Preventing data breaches
Controlling network accesses
Blocking cybercriminals from entering systems
Building trust

Network Usage Policy

It’s crucial for any business or governmental organisation to have an internet usage policy in place that defines guidelines for employees or outside users of the organisation. Network usage policy should be tailored according to a company’s needs.

Employees in an organisation or users who have authorised access to the network can make use of a company’s internet connection to:

Carry out job duties
Search for related information on the internet
Share authorised data or information with coworkers or on their social media accounts

Such policy should address issues related to internet usage in an organisation, and it can be one of the most effective tools to prevent cyber security threats and network misuse. Remember the following facts about network usage in your organisation which are considered inappropriate employee internet usage:

Downloading or uploading illegal content
Sending or sharing organisational data
Invading the privacy of other people
Visiting dangerous websites or helping them intentionally or unintentionally

Educating employees can help prevent such issues in a company, and we advise our clients to organise regular events throughout the year to completely teach employees about network usage policies and rules.

It is a proven fact that an internet usage policy can significantly decrease the probability of data breaches in medium and large organisations. The internet is a very useful tool, but it can be a very dangerous utility leading to massive security breaches. So, a network and internet usage policy is an inseparable part of every enterprise security management strategy and is considered a mandatory document that all employees must comply with to be able to use the network connection in a company.

Critical Resources Policy

As your organisation continues to grow, there may be different resources and digital assets that are supposed to be critical in terms of cyber security. For instance, the following assets are categorised as critical resources and must be taken into account when developing an enterprise security management policy:

Customer data
Financial information
Proprietary processes and products
Physical resources and items

Any resources, processes, products, and systems in a company can be an asset that has some value or produces some value in time. As a result, it should be protected against security threats through proven practices. When writing an enterprise-level policy document, Nordic Defender evaluates all these assets, ensuring they are classified and documented in an asset inventory. Therefore, the cyber security team is able to check which assets and resources are priorities and must be strictly controlled against cyber threats and cyberattacks.

There is a trustworthy method to follow that helps us identify critical assets and resources in a company and classify them from high-level to low-level.

The level of risks related to that resource
The impacts of any cyberattack
The cost of a cyberattack on the resource

Risk/Threat Assessment Policy

The purpose of a risk/threat assessment policy is to facilitate the process of managing security and privacy risks. A risk/threat assessment policy helps organisations comply with cyber security regulations and rules in order to confidently focus on important tasks.

Cyber risks are categorised in different types, including but are not limited to the following:

Ransomware
Data leaks
Phishing
Malware
Insider threats
Physical damage

A risk assessment and management policy is a helpful document to prevent these potential risks, and knowing how to prepare a risk/threat assessment policy is a central part of planning an enterprise security management strategy. Writing such a document needs complete insight into the following procedures:

Identifying potential risks
Analysing potential risks
Assessing past experiences
Having a cost estimation plan

Mobile Device Policy

A well-structured mobile device security policy is a must-have requirement for any corporate policy that aims to educate employees on how they can use mobile devices in the proper way. In order to manage security procedures, we can only allow a defined list of devices to access corporate resources and use network facilities in an organisation. Mobile devices are considered the most vulnerable and concerning tools that can cause data leaks and put the equipment and its sensitive data at risk.

There are 5 common security concerns about mobile devices that must be outlined in a mobile device policy:

Device theft and loss
Malware
Public (free) WiFi
Bring Your Own Device (BYOD)
Regulatory non-compliance

Enterprise Mobile Device Security Best Practices

A comprehensive policy is needed to make sure that every mobile device user in an organisation complies with the rules and that there will be no issues in the case of cyber security and data protection. Without a comprehensive mobile usage guideline, you give cybercriminals and hackers a hand to exploit your assets and systems.

Enterprise security management requires a mobile device security policy that applies to devices such as:

Laptop and notebook computers
All types of smartphones
Tablets
Portable media devices and players

Physical Controls Policy

Gaps in physical security policies could make it easier for insider actors to gain access to sensitive data and cause issues. Physical control procedures combine technology tools and specialised hardware to control security threats that are associated with theft, vandalism, fraud, and even accidents.

It is all about safeguarding the equipment inside an organisation and keeping unwanted people out, giving access to only authorised users and employees.

Physical controls must include 3 main parts each of them is a vital requirement to bring physical security to any organisation:

Access control: Keypads, fingerprint readers, video intercom systems
Detection: Security guards, burglar alarms, motion sensors, CCTV cameras, 24/7 monitoring services, fire alarms
Response: Building lockdown, emergency call services, etc.

Why is Policy Enforcement so Important for Us?

You may be familiar with what a cyber security policy is and why we are trying to create an inclusive one. But, creating a formulated security policy doesn’t guarantee success, and there is a need to put it into practice in the next step. Policy enforcement is the process of managing all workflows and network usage according to defined policies under the conditions outlined in that specific policy.

ESM policy enforcement is so crucial for us, and there will be a wide range of benefits after performing security policy enforcement in a proper way. If so, we have the following:

Real-time monitoring of results
Zero impact on performance
A good level of compliance with regulatory laws
Protection of all digital and physical assets
Increased trust by invigorating policies and preventative rules

Keep in mind that employees and stakeholders in an organisation may be so busy that they may ignore reading long notes. So, your cyber security team should consider writing concise documents and make sure they will be delivered to employees. Here are 2 most important tips to believe when a security policy is being written:

Clear guidelines for managers and supervisors
Clear and tangible expectations of employees

Reliable and Authorised Solution: Enterprise Security Governance

Enterprise security governance is a methodology by which an organisation directs and controls enterprise security. It is a process for supervising and monitoring security procedures and tasks performed by cyber security teams that are working to mitigate the risks of cyber threats.

Generally speaking, security governance defines how an organisation controls security and safety through procedures, strategies, and other necessary tools and devices. When an enterprise security governance procedure is deployed properly, we can say we have achieved the desired level of compliance with a regulation, and all security goals have come together to form a high protection level.

Enterprise security governance is always associated with security frameworks and cyber security standards to facilitate the process of protecting corporate data. Cyber security teams are responsible for choosing the most important enterprise security governance frameworks according to the industry you are working in and scrutinising them to align all procedures with these security standards.

Enterprise Security Management Framework: COBIT

COBIT stands for Control Objectives and Related Technology, and it is a framework provided by ISACA (Information Systems Audit and Control Association). COBIT focuses on streamlining processes by ensuring the quality, control, and safety of IT systems in an organisation.

COBIT is considered the right solution for enterprise security governance that can be tailored for your company, offering effective and innovative processes for enterprise security management:

We can have the following benefits by deploying the COBIT framework:

Strategic alignment
One-fit solution for all companies (independence of size)
Effective governance
Industry-level standards
Auditing is ready to perform
IT risks are managed effectively
Compliance with laws, regulations, and other contractual agreements

Enterprise Security Management Framework: ITIL

ITIL is a comprehensive framework for delivering IT services and managing risks, strengthening customer relations, and creating trust through best practices. ITIL offers exclusive methods for the IT environment in an organisation to grow, scale, change and manage all tasks and processes in one platform.

The Information Technology Infrastructure Library is a set of the best practices that standardise delivered services, and it emphasises the following concepts:

Delivering the maximum value to clients
Maximising efficiency and optimising resources
Defining clear roles
Offering the best and most useful services to users
Reducing IT costs
Standardising the processes
Improving skills and experiences

Implementing ITIL methodology in your organisation helps achieve the best result in enterprise security management strategy, and it allows your company to learn from mistakes and improve efficiency and productivity over time.

Enterprise Security Management Framework: ISO 27001

ISO 27001 is one of the world’s best-known standards for information security management. When organisations want to make an enterprise security management strategy real, the ISO 27001 standard comes to provide a range of features and ensure organisation-wide protection of sensitive data.

ISO/IEC 27001 aims to benefit your organisation through the following practices:

Securing information, including paper-based, cloud-based, or digital data
Reducing costs by restricting expenditures wasted in unnecessary technologies and approaches
Improving processes and strategies related to enterprise security management
Providing a centrally controlled security framework to put all the requirements in one place
Including employees in cyber security efforts and educating them in the best way possible

An organisation that holds ISO 27001 is more secure and protected against cyber threats, and the standard provides a detailed plan to integrate security into your organisation. The list below shows a set of audits included in the ISO 27001 enterprise security management framework:

Information security policies
Organisation of information security
Human resource security
Asset management
Cryptography
Operations security
Communications security
Physical security

Enterprise Security Management Framework: NIST

The NIST cyber security framework is a distinctive tool to organise and improve your security program. The framework offers a set of standards and plans that empower organisations to be better prepared against cyberattacks.

The NIST framework is a vital part of the enterprise security management process in many organisations since it provides power and authority to bring about all the following actions:

Establishing the foundation of your enterprise security management strategy
Estimating the risks and potential costs of cyber threats that your organisation is exposed to
Improving employees’ education level regarding cyber threats and useful solutions
Providing an effective and efficient cyber security data breach management strategy

NIST consists of a tailored and professional framework that assists organisations in achieving the desired level of security:

Identify: Understanding organisational assets to manage cyber security risks associated with them.
Protect: Developing and deploying appropriate safeguards to ensure highly-secure services will be provided for clients.
Detect: Developing plans and techniques to identify cyber security incidents and anomalies at the right time.
Respond: Having an enterprise security response plan to put into action in the time a cyber security incident is detected.
Recover: Developing and implementing activities that help an organisation recover from a cyber security incident with minimum impact.

Enterprise Security Management Framework: HIPAA

The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) is a federal law that has become a fundamental part of health organisations’ IT sector since its announcement. It is all about protecting the sensitive data of patients from being disclosed if they don’t allow it. HIPAA is a set of standard rules containing standards for individuals’ right to improve data protection levels in the healthcare industry.

One critical point to consider is that violating the HIPAA regulation can be extremely costly for healthcare organisations, ranging from $100 to over $4 million. Complying with HIPAA is not so easy, but if you need to deploy all HIPAA requirements and its rules, Nordic Defender will help you get through this using a well-defined roadmap.

There are 3 essential requirements to consider about HIPAA for the healthcare industry:

Passwords: Passwords play a key role in protecting sensitive data and user credentials in any organisation. HIPAA emphasises password strength to prevent companies from being impacted by social engineering scams or other cyber threats.
Encryption: Unencrypted digital data can cause costly data breaches. Encryption helps organisations protect their sensitive data through proven practices, such as end-to-end encryption techniques. Encryption can be done using several techniques, and it offers practical methodologies to keep data safe when an unauthorised person accesses the data.
Disaster recovery plan: Having a reliable disaster recovery plan is of utmost importance when it comes to complying with the HIPAA regulation. Every organisation needs a disaster recovery plan in case of data loss, and it becomes more important when speaking about the healthcare industry and patients’ health data.

The list below shows the most common HIPAA violation examples that can cost your organisation a fortune if ignored:

Lack of encryption
Getting hacked or impacted by phishing attacks
Unauthorised access
Lost or theft of devices
Sharing patients’ sensitive data and information

The HIPAA privacy rule protects all sensitive information and individually identifiable health data of patients. We can list some of the most important examples of such data as follows:

Patients’ name, address, birth date, social security number, or biometrics
Patients’ past, present, or future health conditions
Any care provided or prescribed to individuals
Any information that is considered sensitive and must be protected

Enterprise Security Management Framework: PCI DSS

The PCI DSS (Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard) is a pivotal standard for many organisations designed to reduce payment card fraud. It focuses on strengthening security controls around cardholder data and is a mandatory compliance rule for any organisation (regardless of size or number of transactions) that accepts, stores, or processes cardholder data.

The mandatory requirements set forth by the Payment Card Industry Security Standards Council, a group of the 5 largest credit card companies, offer all the benefits in one place. Since 2004, PCI DSS has standardised the elements of secure payment environments and contributed hugely to decreasing the impacts of:

Fraud losses
Loss of customer confidence
Unsuccessful transactions
Fines and penalties

According to PCI DSS official website, the 12 requirements are as follows:

Goals	PCI DSS requirements
Build and maintain a secure network and system	Install and maintain a firewall configuration to protect cardholder data Do not use vendor-supplied defaults for system passwords and other security parameters
Protect cardholder data	Protect stored cardholder data Encrypt transmission of cardholder data across open, public networks
Maintain a vulnerability management program	Protect all systems against malware and regularly update anti-virus software or programs Develop and maintain secure systems and applications
Implement strong access control measures	Restrict access to cardholder data by business need to know Identify and authenticate access to system componentes Restrict physical access to cardholder data
Regularly monitor and test networks	Track and monitor all access to network resources and cardholder data Regularly test security systems and processes
Maintain an information security policy	Maintain a policy that addresses information security for all personnel

Sources: PCI DSS v3.2.1 Quick Reference Guide (pcisecuritystandards.org)

Enterprise Security Management Framework: SOX

In 2002, the United States Congress passed the SOX compliance law, and all public companies now must comply with it. The goal was to increase transparency in financial reporting and ensure companies’ financial data is secure and protected.

Overall, the SOX compliance framework emphasises 5 main concepts to improve security levels related to financial data:

Ensuring financial data security
Reviewing and monitoring access controls
Installing updates if required
Investigating alerts and tracking data breach attempts
Training staff
Monitoring use behaviours

Not all businesses are required to comply with SOX. In fact, SOX is applied to all publicly-traded companies in the US, including wholly-owned subsidiaries of foreign companies that are publicly traded and do business in the United States.

If you want to do business in the United States, SOX provides these benefits for your company:

Risk assessment and triage
Control structure strengthening
Deeper and better audits
Comprehensive financial reporting
Better decision-making at the right time
Standardising processes

Enterprise Security Management Framework: FISMA

FISMA is a United States federal law passed in 2002 that aims at improving federal data security standards and guidelines. FISMA was introduced by NIST to reduce the security risk of federal information and data through a well-organised framework. The scope of FISMA was to establish a set of guidelines and security standards for federal agencies. Note that FISMA requirements also apply to those private companies that are collaborating or have contractual relationships with governmental agencies.

There are 7 primary FISMA requirements as below:

Information system inventory
Risk categorisation
Security controls
Risk assessment
System security plan
Certification and accreditation
Regular monitoring

Literally, hundreds of security controls are needed when it comes to providing a high protection level for governmental agencies and large organisations.

FISMA is just one requirement, and you can follow its rules and procedures to reform your organisation’s security environment to be a modern one. If you have any questions, Nordic Defender’s experienced analysts can provide you with complete recommendations on how you can comply with regulations in the target market and expand your business and customer base without any issues related to cyber security.

Enterprise Security Management Framework: GLBA

The Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act (GLBA), also known as the financial modernisation ACT of 1999, is a United States federal law that requires financial institutions or companies to explain how they share and protect their customers’ private data.

Remember that GLBA applies to all businesses, regardless of size and the number of employees, and businesses that offer financial products or services to customers must take the necessary steps to comply with this regulatory law.

There are 2 essential requirements defined for GLBA to ensure there is a good level of enterprise security management in terms of financial workflows:

Financial privacy rule: All companies subject to GLBA must provide customers with a privacy notice explaining how the information is collected, where that information is shared, how that information is used, and how the information is protected against potential cyber threats.
Safeguard rule: The safeguards rule requires financial institutions to have plans in action to keep customer information secure and protected. More importantly, companies must take necessary steps to make sure their affiliates and service providers safeguard customer information as well.

Remember that a financial institution can be fined $100,000 for a GLBA violation which can be concerning for financial institutions.

Nordic Defender offers the following procedure for Scandinavian companies that need GLBA compliance to proceed in their industry:

Understanding GLBA requirements and determining how the GLBA regulation works
Conducting a deep risk assessment process
Improving internal security levels and filling the potential gaps that may be costly in case of cyberattacks
Providing response plans for insider threats
Making sure all service providers and third parties are GLBA compliant
Creating and regularly updating a disaster recovery plan
Reviewing and revising the requirements checklist to ensure all processes are performing in line with GLBA

Best Practices to Achieve Enterprise-Level Security

Reaching the desired level of enterprise security management needs time and effort, but a team of cyber security professionals can clear your path and lead your organisation to benefit from the best possible practice.

An expert team will provide the best answers for the following questions to start creating an enterprise security management strategy and working on it:

What protections are in place to guard your organisation against data theft and data loss?
Which antivirus or malware protection tools does your organisation use?
Is there a risk/threat assessment strategy plan available?
Are your organisation compliant with the necessary regulatory laws?
Are your organisation’s database and sensitive data encrypted?
Are your employees well-educated for potential cyber security threats?
Do we have a disaster recovery plan in place?
What is your practical mobile device policy?
What is your response plan if a data breach occurs in your organisation?

Take the following considerations into account if you want a high level of data security in your company.

Always Safeguard Sensitive Data

Making an effort to keep sensitive information secure in today’s digital world isn’t optional anymore; It is of the essence for any enterprise security management strategy. At Nordic Defender, we specialise in helping businesses and enterprises manage and secure various types of their organisational or customer data.

Our top priority is helping Scandinavian companies comply with regulatory laws and assist those enterprises that want to enter new markets in other countries around the world.

A data breach can cost your organisation a significant amount of money, causing additional issues that need much effort to recover your systems and get your clients back. The following list demonstrates practical methods for safeguarding sensitive data in your organisation:

Understand data storage technologies and database management practices
Identify and classify sensitive data and users’ information collected and stored in your database
Control users’ access to sensitive data
Create a comprehensive data usage policy
Use data encryption methodologies
Always backup your data
Use the latest data storage technologies and secure data storage practices
Have a strategy to hinder insider threats
Utilise endpoint security systems to protect your sensitive data
Perform timely pen tests to detect potential vulnerabilities associated with your organisation’s data storage techniques

Setting Up Identity and Access Management (IAM)

Identity and Access Management (IAM) ensures the right people will access the authorised digital resources at the right time. IAM securely controls access to your organisational assets and systems, and it has become one of the essential elements of enterprise security management plans in recent years. To reap a wide range of benefits, every enterprise security management strategy provides an IAM practice, helping them enhance security to the maximum possible level.

We offer the following practices of IAM that integrate security into your company:

Adopt a zero-trust model for authorising users
Enforce a robust password policy
Use multi-factor authentication (MFA)
Create a single sign-on (SSO) approach
Give only time-limited access in specific conditions
Implement centralised log collection and monitoring
Manage privileged accounts properly
Set password expiry policy (in specific conditions)

Setting Up Disaster Recovery Plans

Every business may face cyberattacks, such as ransomware, that cause critical issues for data protection. Unfortunately, these types of cyberattacks continue to be more complex than years ago as technology advances and hackers gain access to highly-advanced tools. A ransomware attack can cost your business millions of dollars along with significant damage to your brand reputation, causing a remarkable reduction in the number of customers.

A backup and data recovery plan is an essential risk reduction strategy, and it is considered one of the primary requirements when designing an enterprise security management strategy. A disaster recovery plan doesn’t cost your business much, and only a few steps are required to create a working and resultful data backup and recovery plan. Most enterprise security management strategies benefit from 2 or more disaster recovery plans to make sure there will be fewer risks when dealing with cyber threats. Here are the main reasons your organisation or enterprise company is in need of a reliable disaster recovery plan:

Your building may be prone to suffer from a fire, and there might be physical damage to the data centre and data storage
There may be a natural disaster causing problems with the data storage
Your organisation’s database is likely to be impacted by malware, ransomware, or direct attacks

Nordic Defender provides the best disaster recovery plan for your organisation and includes the best related technologies in your enterprise security management strategy to:

Level up data security and protection in your company
Minimise network downtime
Protect your customers’ sensitive data
Prevent the need for paying ransomware
Reduce unnecessary costs
Offer a better user experience

Levelling Up Cyber Security Knowledge of Employees

There is no better option than educating employees and giving them a good level of insight into cyber security risks and potential problems of a cyberattack. While you can purchase the most advanced devices and systems and set up proven manners in your company, there are still high risks related to uneducated employees. Employees can put the data security and protection at high risk, intentionally or unintentionally.

Hackers today focus most of their effort on spear-phishing and social engineering techniques to find the easiest way of penetrating organisational systems and stealing sensitive data. The landscape is ever-changing, but there is a tried and true strategy to significantly reduce the risks of such types of cyber threats: Levelling up the cyber security knowledge of employees.

By keeping these tips in mind, you can achieve the best possible results by employing the following techniques in your enterprise security management strategy:

Spending time and investing money in employee training
Looking at cyber security awareness as a priority
Organising timely events and training employees in terms of password security
Providing useful resources for employees to train them about phishing and social engineering attacks
Having cyber security training as an essential part of the onboarding process

Take Advantage of Online Courses

There is a wide range of cyber security courses available on online platforms that aim at improving individuals’ knowledge about different types of cyber threats. Remember that even professional team members can benefit from these courses. These courses are provided at affordable costs, and everyone can access them through a mobile device.

If you don’t have enough time and budget for organising in-house training events, online platforms offer efficient solutions and provide the following benefits:

Online classes cost less
Online courses include in-demand skills
There is no need to be concerned about location and transportation
Online classes provide comfort
Distractions are reduced, and there is a better focus on learning

Managing and Controlling Endpoints and Accesses

Endpoint management is the process of authenticating and monitoring the access rights of endpoint devices to ensure that all endpoint devices are protected and secure against external or internal threats. These access rights could cause so many threats, and it’s one of the key responsibilities of network owners to use endpoint security management tools to manage and control endpoints and accesses appropriately.

The first and foremost requirement is that we must ensure only authorised devices can connect to the network with controlled permissions. The thing is that you cannot control devices and endpoints one-by-one when speaking about enterprise security management in a large organisation. As a result, cyber security teams should think about developing an endpoint management policy which dictates the required information and considerations to all users, employees, and stakeholders.

Endpoint security management policies authenticate and manage permissions and actions of all devices that send requests to access your network, including laptops, smartphones, tablets, printers, servers, etc.

The following list shows only a few benefits an endpoint security management provides for your organisation:

Securing devices and input/output ports
Controlling applications
Installing remote patches to fix vulnerabilities
Generating notifications and reports
Blocking threats that may target mail servers, file servers, etc.
Providing deep visibility by collecting real-time information about all devices that are attempting to access IT resources and networks

Breathing Life Into Discussions With C-Suite

The C-suite is an essential part of every organisation that is responsible for the overall performance and productivity and consists of high-ranking executives and senior managers in an organisation. As a result, C-suite must be able to identify potential issues associated with cyber security and has plans to defend an organisation against cyberattacks.

The C-suite in an enterprise company plays a key role in decreasing the risks of cyber threats, especially when cyberattacks are on the rise and security breaches occur. In order to minimise the gap between the C-suite and CISOs, executives and senior managers need to take the necessary steps.

Implementing the Best Management Tools and Services

Cyber security analysts use a wide range of software tools in their jobs, enabling them to organise the required tasks and daily routines. These tools fall into a few categories, including network security monitoring, encryption tools, web vulnerability assessment tools, and antivirus software solutions.

Cybersecurity software tools are must-have requirements for enterprise security management plans, and they empower cybersecurity teams against intruders and cybercriminals.

Accordingly, cyber security services are a set of techniques and practices that implement these useful software tools to present a good level of enterprise security management to an organisation. We have explained the most effective enterprise security management services in the list below:

SIEM Technology for Enterprise Security Management

Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) combines information and event management to offer real-time monitoring and analysis of events. The SIEM technology also allows cyber security teams to track and evaluate logs of security data for auditing.

Legacy SIEMs were a combination of several techniques, including the following ones:

Log Management Systems (LMS)
Security Information Management (SIM)
Security Event Management (SEM)

Due to the constant evolution of cyber security technologies and practices, SIEM technology has transformed over time, and its core elements have been turned into more advanced and reliable ones, providing organisations with the following benefits:

Open and scalable architecture
Real-time data collection and visualisation tools
Big data collection and analytics tools
User behaviour analytics tools and practices
Security, orchestration, and automation response (SOAR)

The next-gen SIEM approach provides organisations with these capabilities to level up data collection and monitoring practices:

Log collection
Normalisation into a standard format
Notifications and alerts
Security incident detection
Threat response management

Integrating Threat Intelligence into the SIEM Approach

Threat intelligence combined with SIEM technology has a wide range of features for every enterprise security management strategy. SIEM solutions have aimed to provide visibility across multiple systems, networks, and applications, collecting data from different sources and analysing them through real-time data analysis techniques. Many organisations would like to integrate threat intelligence into their SIEM strategy since this will enable cyber security teams to handle data and information better and access more accurate analytics.

Usually, there is a mixture of data coming from different sources when a SIEM is deployed. This could be confusing and cause misunderstandings in many cases. Also, there may be some false alerts and notifications that cyber security team members have to deal with.

The addition of threat intelligence to the SIEM strategy creates an opportunity to manage alerts and prioritise them based on proven techniques. So, combining threat intelligence and SIEM technology offers efficiency and provides:

Confidence in threat monitoring
A better understanding of cyber threats
Improved decision-making processes
Pen testing solutions for enterprise security management

Penetration testing is an attempt to analyse the security of IT infrastructure in your organisation performed by manual or automated technologies. There is useful information after a deep pen testing process is performed. A complete report will be provided to IT and network managers to fix related issues and provide solutions for the network’s vulnerabilities detected during the pent testing process.

Nordic Defender provides pen testing solutions and offers related services in the following categories:

Web application testing services
Network security testing services
Cloud security testing services
IoT security testing services
Social engineering testing services
API penetration testing services
Wireless penetration testing services
Insider threat penetration testing services

Take a quick look at the following list if you want to find out which benefits penetration testing provides for enterprise security management.

Exposing vulnerabilities
Reducing vulnerabilities that may exist in your IT environment
Identifying and prioritising cyber security risks
Avoiding costly data breaches and loss of business continuity
Simulating a real-world cyberattack on your IT infrastructure
Helping you improve your organisation’s compliance
Keeping your sensitive data protected
Helping your cyber security team allocate the security budget at its best
Bug Bounty Programs for Enterprise Security Management

Bug bounty programs are a crucial part of enterprise security management which allow hackers to find bugs in your IT systems. Bug bounty programs provide an opportunity to find vulnerabilities before they cause costly issues for an organisation which are split into 2 main categories:

Private programs: Private bug bounty programs are not published to the public, and hackers with specific invitations are allowed to join these programs to see them.
Public programs: Public bug bounty programs are announced publicly, allowing those hackers outside your company to find vulnerabilities in the systems.

Hackers are required to have some specific skills to become professional bug bounty hunters, as below. So, you will have a great opportunity to put your IT systems into cyber security tests through bug bounty programs:

Broken access control
Cryptographic failures
Injection testing
Security misconfiguration
Vulnerable and outdated components
Identification and authentication failures
Security logging and monitoring failures
Server-side request forgery
Software and data security, protection, and integrity failures

Remember that bug bounty programs are one of the most effective and resultful approaches for enterprise-level companies. One unique benefit of bug bounty programs is that skilled and highly professional hackers are encouraged to take part in such programs, and you can benefit from this opportunity to have your IT systems tested and analysed.

Defensive Security Solutions for Enterprise Security Management

Defensive security is a subset of enterprise security management that focuses on safeguarding the organisation at all levels through defensive cyber security solutions. A defensive security solution is put into play in order to ensure the effectiveness of any enterprise security management strategy.

Experts focus on the following tasks when they want to empower a defensive security environment in an organisation:

Updating software tools and upgrading devices
Setting up systems in a proper way to establish security and data protection
Monitoring systems and network traffic to detect potential intrusions
Regular checking of network security protocols to minimise the risks of being impacted by cyberattacks
Creating honeypots to analyse the conditions and hackers’ behaviour in a simulated environment

Common Behaviours in Organisations that Limits Enterprise Security Management

Security management is a broader concept than conventional cybersecurity practices, and it needs an inclusive strategy to deploy all the security requirements at an enterprise level. According to CISA, there are some practices in an organisation that limits making enterprise-level security real.

Using unsupported software services
Using known/fixed/default passwords and credentials in service of critical infrastructure
Using single-factor authentication for remote or administrative access to systems and software tools

There are also some other bad cyber security practices that can run an organisation into trouble and cause unrecoverable issues:

Clicking links that are suspicious and downloading email attachments without scanning for malware tools
Setting up weak passwords
Poor physical control over system tools and devices
Providing unnecessary privileges to network resources
Not encrypting data stored on a database
Not having a robust backup and recovery strategy
Not employing a multi-factor authentication plan
Not monitoring and checking third-party vendors and systems
Insufficient updates and upgrades for security tools, devices, and plans
Storing sensitive data and files on cloud servers

Future Trends to Look for Enterprise Security Management

Security leaders must develop their skills and stay updated in line with the latest enterprise security management trends. Cybersecurity is an evolving practice, and it is crucial to take a proactive approach in order to understand the current cybersecurity risks and think about future problems.

With the digital revolution and the availability of advanced devices and software tools, large organisations are experiencing new types of cyberattacks. There is a significant rise in automotive hacking, and mobile devices are the new targets for cybercriminals.

To stay on track with cyber security evolution, here are some of the trends every enterprise company should consider when designing an enterprise security management strategy.

Managed Security Service Providers (MSSPs) offer better solutions
Integrating artificial intelligence into enterprise security management can prevent devastating problems
Looking at mobile device security as a priority
Cloud servers are potentially vulnerable
IoT can be a risky technology if ignored
The zero-trust approach can be a reliable solution

WPA3 for Enterprise Security Management

Secure wireless connectivity is an important requirement when it comes to deploying an effective enterprise security management strategy. But, WiFi security is challenging in most cases, especially when there are so many devices using the same network devices.

WPA2 is no longer a safe security practice, and it is the time the new version comes to the forefront. WPA3, the full name of WiFi Protected Access 3, is one of the most popular WiFi security protocols created by the WiFi alliance that offers a robust encryption methodology at the enterprise level. WPA3 is still a new protocol that only large organisations and enterprise companies are likely to implement on their network.

WPA3 enterprise is a much better choice instead of WPA2 enterprise since the new version provides authentication encryption keys at high-level security. Now, the new version uses an authentication server to protect devices against hacking, and the protocol is supported in new devices that are coming to market.

WPA3 offers key features to enterprise security management, and governments or enterprises can make the most of this protocol to achieve a high level of security:

Easy connectivity to devices like IoT sensors, microdevices, and other system tools
Open WiFi security
The enhanced data encryption approach
Brute-force attack prevention

Work-from-home Security for Enterprise Security Management

Remote security management becomes a crucial requirement as enterprises find it a helpful and resultful solution. Work-from-home removes the need of having on-site teams in an organisation, but there is a need to have all operations and workflows monitored remotely. Monitoring tasks and conditions is a fundamental element of every remote working approach.

Remote working is becoming a common paradigm, but note that conventional security strategies may not be helpful in this case. Work-from-home brings its own challenges, and cyber security teams need to think about all considerations and rules, including remote working policies.

There are numerous benefits of having a borderless and managed remote working environment, but security concerns still exist. This is one of the primary roles of cyber security teams to minimise the related risks:

Reduced security on BYOD and mobile devices
Cloud security, tracking and managing digital assets
Unreliable backup and recovery systems
GDPR compliance
The risk of physical theft
Sharing files that aren’t encrypted
Making use of personal computers for work

5G for Enterprise Security Management

5G offers more advanced communication technology and high bandwidth, along with enterprise-level security and data protection. Put simply, an enterprise security management strategy is in need of such secure communication networks to ensure we have the following:

Low latency
High bandwidth
New teaching methods
Great opportunities for remote device control
New internet of things solutions
Faster file transferring
Within reach could platforms

Security is an inherent entity when speaking about 5G communication, and enterprises can benefit from new technologies like edge computing by taking advantage of 5G technology. But, it remains crucial to come up with proven security practices to safeguard 5G networks, as they aren’t secure by design.

5G remains to be a technology trend in terms of enterprise security management, but cyber security teams should take care of the following concerns for this cutting-edge technology:

Botnet attacks
Distributed denial-of-service
Man-in-the-middle
Location tracking and call interception

Cloud Technology for Enterprise Security Management

Cloud computing has become a necessity for enterprise companies since they can gain a technological advantage using cloud platforms and offer more advanced services to their clients. Companies can manage and perform their workflows in the cloud, save time, and reach a high level of data backup and recovery.

Since cloud technology provides a wide variety of advantages compared to traditional methodologies, enterprises can transfer a part of their workflow to the cloud and achieve the following:

Higher performance and availability
Instant business insights
Business continuity
Price performance and cost savings
Faster time to market
Better user experience
Scalability on-the-go
Better collaboration
Unique data loss prevention plans
Automatic software updates and application integration

But remember that even top cloud service providers may experience downtime and security risks. Using a hybrid cloud approach can be the best solution for those enterprises that want to take advantage of new technologies and data security at the same time.

Security threats in the cloud are a common drawback of this technology. Before adopting a cloud technology solution, enterprises should talk to a security consultant to limit related risks. Still, there is a list of security concerns around the cloud technology, but your cyber security team can help you make the best decision in this case:

Limited visibility
External sharing of data
Malicious insiders
Legal and regulatory compliance issues
Insecure APIs

IoT for Enterprise Security Management

Safeguarding connected devices and networks is one of the concerns of business owners and executives in enterprise organisations. The internet of things needs to be protected like all other network devices and organisational networks and systems. Keeping threats at bay has become an increasingly challenging concern for enterprises since you need to deal with so many devices when adopting the internet of things technology in your company.

A high level of visibility is needed to start out with IoT adoption in enterprises since IoT devices are attractive for hackers to perform cyberattacks and use them to exploit your digital assets.

Securing the IoT infrastructure is crucial, but it needs a robust strategy to monitor everything seamlessly and control data security within the IoT network. Here are some of the best practices that help cyber security teams achieve the best level of IoT security in the enterprise security management strategy:

Monitoring, tracking, and managing all IoT devices
Considering patching and updating the software of IoT devices
Setting up strong passwords and updating passwords and credentials if needed
Making use of the latest encryption protocols
Using multi-factor authentication methodologies
Deploying powerful antivirus and cyberattack protection tools
Disabling unused devices and other entry points
Conducting merciless pen tests
Protecting devices and platforms physically

Since IoT devices are designed with little or no inbuilt security, it is the critical role of cyber security teams and security experts to manage the situation and provide practical security solutions for IoT networks. Remember that an insecure system of IoT devices can open the doors for hackers to penetrate the network, leading to exploits, data thefts, etc.

Data Demand for Enterprise Security Management

Enterprise data security implements security standards and practices to manage and control data demand in an effective way. Data demand and use is a highly sensitive part of handling data in an organisation, and its policies facilitate the collection, classification, and use of data.

Data demand and use is a systematic and deliberate approach that is defined by cyber security team managers and principal stakeholders. Data demands are facilitated through the implementation of various tools and approaches, and organisations need a comprehensive framework and work policy to come up with an effective data demand and use environment.

Data Privacy Regulations for Enterprise Security Management

Data privacy regulations act as security guards in enterprise companies, governing the types of measures and audits and leading the overall cyber security to protect sensitive data, systems, network traffic, and devices. Data privacy regulations tell organisations how they should store and protect their customers’ data and how the stored data can be processed to offer better services.

Today, many government authorities in the European Union enforce data privacy regulations, and currently, 128 countries have data security and data privacy regulations to ensure there is a good level of protection for customers’ personal data and organisational data. In the case of the European Union, enterprise companies should be aware of GDPR compliance that aims to protect both organisations and their clients through an organised strategy.

The General Data Protection Regulation

The General Data Protection Regulation is a framework that applies to each member state of the European Union, creating more reliable protection against data breaches and cyberattacks that target internet users in the EU.

GDPR applies to all companies that want to work in the European Union, and enterprise companies can prevent costly cyber threats by complying with GDPR.

Nordic Defender helps you take the necessary steps to comply with the General Data Protection Regulation and embrace data privacy and security.

Meeting the GDPR requirements helps your organisation:

Protect customer and employees data
Have a reliable data breach response plan
Ensure brand loyalty
Identify cyber security problems and provide solutions for them

Nordic Defender Cyber Security Team: What Springs to Mind When Saying Up-to-the-Minute Enterprise Security Management?

Nordic Defender is a leading cyber security company, providing a comprehensive list of services to Scandinavian enterprises. We offer our services based on a Managed Security Service Provider (MSSP) approach to deliver the right cyber security solutions to Scandinavian enterprises.

Cyber security is a set of techniques powered by knowledge and experience. If you want to feel a highly-advanced level of cyber security in your organisation, Nordic Defender provides you with an up-to-date enterprise security management strategy tailored exactly for your company.

Final Thoughts

Enterprise security management consists of several sections, and you cannot deploy an ESM strategy with conventional cyber security approaches. With high levels of hacking and malware activity, it becomes vital to adopt the most effective solution in enterprise companies that is customised, all-inclusive, and proactive. Deploying an enterprise security management strategy may be concerning in terms of costs and various security requirements. But Nordic Defender offers Managed Security Services that are rapidly replacing traditional security operations, providing cost-effective, powerful, and systematic cyber security solutions for enterprise-level companies.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the 5 most common enterprise cybersecurity problems?

Phishing
Ransomware
Insider attacks
Unsecured devices
Imperfect policies

How much does it cost to deploy an enterprise security management strategy?

It depends on your goals and the different tasks and plans required to secure your organisational systems and network. We cannot provide a one-size-fits-all solution for all companies. If you want to get complete recommendations about the best enterprise security management approach, feel free to contact us.

What are the main elements of an enterprise cybersecurity culture?

Security policies
Network security
Risk assessment and management
Threat detection and response
Employee training
Vulnerability analysis

How is automation used in enterprise security management?

Automation has become an important element of enterprise security in companies, and it can help your company improve:
- Threat detection
- Threat response
- Alert management

Are Managed Security Services expensive?

MSSP programs are designed to offer tried-and-true and cost-effective solutions for enterprises. Our program focuses on the main needs of your organisation’s data privacy and provides you with affordable and high-quality enterprise security management plans.