3 biggest information security challenges in 2023

InfoSec challenge 1: Ransomware is becoming more dangerous

The current situation

Every week, we hear news of ransomware attacks. From public institutions and start-ups to true giants, no one is safe. Victims of ransomware attacks can be put back millions of dollars. And it takes an average of 16 days for an affected organisation to restore full-scale operations not to mention the long-term damage to reputation that data theft can inflict on a company.

Hackers are employing ever more treacherous methods to access their victims’ systems. These days, just hovering your mouse pointer over links in a Word document or PowerPoint presentation is enough to trigger a malware attack. Users have little chance even to recognise threats as sophisticated as these.

The problem

Ransomware is a complex problem. Even the best scanners can only detect malware that is already known. When companies face targeted attacks, malware programs are useless. What’s more, outdated software makes companies vulnerable to attacks. But the greatest risk is and remains the human factor. The most frequent strategy cybercriminals employ to access data is social engineering. Thus, the ransomware problem is primarily one of awareness.

The solution

Besides investing in technical measures, the name of the game here is training, training, training. Employees must be careful about every email and chat message they receive. They need to be trained to recognise and report attacks accurately. We recommend a dual-pronged approach: setting up online courses for specific occupational groups and sending planned phishing simulations to employees at the same time.

InfoSec challenge 2: Investment gaps, technical debts and no economic plannability

The current situation

Implementing information security measures costs money and does not directly contribute to business success. In times of uncertainty, it is costs like these that companies tend to cut back on first. In the long run, however, investment gaps in information security turn out to be much more expensive than spending on prevention.

The problem

During the two to three years it takes to set up an information security management system (ISMS), companies remain vulnerable while still dealing with ongoing information security costs. And even after implementation, operating an ISMS takes non-stop commitment.

At the same time, the maturity level of information security systems in Germany, for example, still needs to improve. Over time, some companies have built up investment gaps and technical debts (costs from reworking poor solutions that were implemented over better approaches due to budget or time constraints). As a result, investments are necessary today but also harder to make, given the economic situation.

The solution

No matter how you look at it, there is no way around setting up an ISMS. The good news, however, is that there are now services and platform-based solutions that make it much faster and easier for your company to implement an ISMS. The service landscape has been transformed in just three short years.

That means you can tackle the first steps towards improved information security and so-called low-hanging fruit without investing large sums of money. However, there still needs to be a way around first gaining the support of management. It’s the only way for ISMS projects to succeed.

InfoSec challenge 3: A shortage of skilled experts

The current situation

In Germany alone, there is currently a shortage of some 100,000 IT specialists. A recent study conducted by cybersecurity company Trellix found that a lack of skilled workers jeopardises cybersecurity in 85% of responding companies.

Unsurprisingly, the information security job profile brings together a unique skill set of competencies that are rare to find.

In addition to a high degree of IT literacy, applicants also need in-depth knowledge of the standards and laws relevant to the field. Moreover, the job also frequently demands the ability to communicate and negotiate.

The problem

Our clients often tell us they can’t fill information security positions (CISOs or ISOs) for months, sometimes years. The growing agency work and temporary staff market also needs more experienced professionals. Graduates need at least three years to grow in their field before being able to work productively.

These factors, taken together, mean that there is no short-term solution to the problem. While demand continues to snowball, there needs to be more new recruits.

The solution

We may not have a blanket solution for the skills shortage. But we do have the people you have been looking for. Our information security experts serve clients using our web-based platform.

Our approach: We provide the perfect blend of people and technology to help you get ISO 27001 certified. Our platform brings automation and efficiency, and our in-house experts give you industry-specific guidance. With this proven approach, we have a 100% first-try success rate in leading our customers through ISO 27001 and TISAX audits. With DataGuard, you get the technology, expertise and support to attain and retain the certification year after year.

Looking forward

Information security is not a new topic. But developments in recent years have made us all more aware of how crucial it is. Many companies have learned the hard way that cyber-attacks are not a theoretical threat.

But as they so often do, pressing challenges lead to innovative solutions. Small and medium-sized companies can leverage standardised approaches, with ISO 27001 providing a helpful blueprint.

At DataGuard, we help companies skirt around the shortage of skilled Information Security experts. With our tried-and-tested hybrid approach of combining the expertise of our information security experts with a web-based security platform, we’ve already helped more than 3,000 companies set up an ISMS. Let us help you today!

We offer industry-specific guidance, support you in setting up your ISMS and help get you prepared for external audits. Finally, to ensure you stay ISO 27001 certified in the long term, we’ll stick by your side as your partner even after your ISMS is up and running and certified.