*By Anaïs Beaucousin
In the ever-evolving landscape of corporate security, the role of Chief Business Security Officer (CBSO) has undergone a profound transformation. The position has always been associated with the protection of commercial interests, but now its responsibilities range from fraud and cybercrime to natural disasters and geopolitical issues in a complex and growing risk landscape. This requires focus and responsibility, as well as additional Information Technology (IT) and law enforcement skills with business acumen to ensure comprehensive security coverage.
Success in this position depends on diverse expertise and adaptability. The professional must act not only as a safety advisor, but also be a versatile leader who can inspire employees to collectively take responsibility for safety.
Within this context, how can companies cultivate a safety-first culture? Here are some recommended measures:
Align security strategy with business vision
The primary role of a CBSO is to help deliver growth for the organization while keeping pace with ever-evolving threats. To achieve this, it is necessary to align security practices with business strategy and vision.
Our company's vision, for example, is to have people at the center and transform companies through insights data and innovation. We always consider security when implementing this vision, whether we're launching a new service for our customers, instituting a new internal policy, or providing rigorous training for employees or partners.
Cybersecurity, for example, cannot operate as a silo, it must be woven into the structure of your business. Aligning the security strategy with the organizational vision not only helps protect the company and its customers, but can also promote growth and protect the brand.
Ensure security by design
By prioritizing the integration of security measures into all facets of operations, a company can strengthen itself against potential threats and vulnerabilities.
For example, when our company develops a new product, we put security at the center of its creation. This is what we call “security by design”. Our security team regularly trains our developers to ensure product development has security built in from the start. Therefore, compliance is crucial and ensures continued adherence to data regulations across global markets.
Incorporating security by design is fundamental for the business and its customers. stakeholders. When done correctly, it can help promote trust between employees, customers, suppliers and partners.
Anticipate threats
Staying ahead of threats requires a team of exceptional security professionals and a solid plan to keep your business running even when things go wrong. By being an active participant in the business, the security team can provide insights valuable and informed suggestions.
Business continuity planning extends beyond organization boundaries and includes collaboration with third parties. With a robust, global and integrated business resilience program managed by a team of experts who consider diverse threat scenarios, we take all necessary measures to help ensure essential services remain operational for our customers around the world .
In the current business scenario, there is no room for interruptions. Customers need assurance that your company has the team, technology and processes necessary to protect their interests.
Make it personal
Having cutting-edge security tools is crucial for protection, but we must always consider human error as a significant vulnerability. Cybercriminals often use social engineering tactics, such as phishing, to extract sensitive information. Therefore, companies must collaborate closely with developers to strengthen their defenses.
It is essential to carefully oversee the use of new technologies, such as Generative AI, to improve security measures. Everyone is responsible and it is necessary to talk to employees about how to prevent individual mistakes from affecting the brand, customers and colleagues. Share stories and real-life examples that highlight the potential impacts of security lapses in a work context.
Another useful technique is to provide interactive training sessions that include gamified scenarios or include relevant content in internal communication channels.
In our company, we develop newsletters in which we explore a variety of safety topics in and outside the workplace that aim to educate employees about the importance of safety and how they can protect themselves in different contexts.
It is also important to have a well-defined communication strategy to encourage well-informed action and avoid panic in critical situations.
Test, measure, repeat
Regularly measuring security performance is vital for a strong defense. This may involve daily assessments of attempted attacks and potential vulnerabilities, along with weekly or monthly reports for a comprehensive view.
Sharing reports regularly across multiple business units ensures that stakeholders have a complete picture of the corporate risk scenario, fostering a culture of security awareness and responsibility. When appropriate, share updates with employees too, whether in all-hands meetings or on your intranet. The more they know, the more prepared they can be.
The role of CBSO requires continuous learning, being informed about cybersecurity trends and understanding organizational complexities. This interconnected approach enables effective anticipation and mitigation of security impacts.
Continuing education is also vital for leaders, employees and partners. Protecting a company's assets and brand is a shared responsibility.
*Anaïs Beaucousin is Chief Business Security Officer at ADP International
Notice: The opinion presented in this article is the responsibility of its author and not of ABES - Brazilian Association of Software Companies
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