Cybersecurity experts say there are two kinds of businesses: those that have been hacked and know it, and those that have been hacked and don’t know it yet.
Back in August, in the wake of one of the largest data-breaches in history, you heard from Glenn Hamer on the importance of protecting your business from cybercrime. On Wednesday we joined forces with the U.S. Chamber and the Greater Phoenix Chamber to continue the conversation about how we can strengthen cybersecurity at a joint event, Cyber Essentials to Protect Your Business: An Exploration of the New Cybersecurity Framework.
The event featured experts from: the U.S. Chamber, the Governor’s office, the White House, the Department of Homeland Security, the U.S. Department of Commerce, the FBI, and the U.S. Secret Service.
Here are five takeaways from the presentations:
- The new cybersecurity framework is a good start, but there’s more work to be done. This February, the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) released a new cybersecurity framework to help businesses improve their existing cybersecurity programs or start a new one. The framework is the result of collaboration with public and private organizations and the U.S. Chamber’s Cybersecurity Working Group.
While the NIST contribution to the framework is important, we cannot stop there. More effort is needed by agency officials and lawmakers to help businesses protect themselves from sophisticated threats –Including organized crime as well as groups implementing state-sponsored attacks.
The U.S. Chamber has compiled a list of some of the top areas of focus here.
- The new framework should remain voluntary, collaborative, and innovative.  In May, Michael Daniel, special assistant to the president and cybersecurity coordinator, noted that the framework should remain “voluntary, collaborative, and innovative over the long term.”
The Arizona Chamber applauds that dynamic approach and we will continue to promote cyber education and awareness of the framework.
- Businesses should get to know local law enforcement before a breach occurs. For business owners, knowing who to call right away when after a cybercrime is committed is critical. It was obvious in their willingness to attend Wednesday’s event that the law enforcement agencies responsible for investigating cybercrime are more than willing to meet and get to know business leaders.
- Arizonans should be proud that our leaders are investing in cybersecurity and engaging industry along the way. The keynote speaker at Wednesday’s conference was Aaron ​Sandeen, ​Arizona’s Chief ​Information ​Officer. Aaron discussed Arizona’s efforts led by Governor Jan Brewer to update its IT infrastructure.
- Progress is being made at the state and federal level on cybersecurity issues. While the new framework is a step forward and a welcome improvement at the federal level, we’re also working hard here in Arizona to ensure companies are protected.
The Arizona Chamber worked with Rep. Justin Pierce and Maricopa County Attorney Bill Montgomery during the last legislative session to strengthen penalties for stolen proprietary information in the state.
The Arizona Chamber is committed to working with the U.S. Chamber and the Arizona business community to ensure that we’re educated and prepared to combat the cybersecurity risks we face in today’s ever-changing world.
