The foundation of your company’s digital future

(Editor’s note: This is the 35th installment of a monthly column on the growing number of cyberthreats facing businesses of all sizes and what they can do about it. See previous installments here.)

Today’s business environment has been shifting in the whirlwind of digital transformation. Businesses, small and large, are anxiously re-architecting their operations, processes and customer engagement models. They have dived headfirst into cloud architecture, data analytics, automation and now artificial intelligence. Organizations are looking to unlock operational efficiencies and new revenue streams.

But within this whirlwind, cybersecurity often gets pushed to the side, a necessary evil or simply an “IT problem.” This narrow-minded view isn’t just outdated, it’s downright negligent and dangerous.

I can tell you from experience that cybersecurity is not merely a component of your digital transformation strategy, it’s the foundation on which successful transformation must be built.

Forward-thinking organizations recognize that robust security, strategically integrated into the business, is a powerful enabler. It accelerates innovation, safeguards productivity, protects revenue streams and builds trust with customers and partners. When cybersecurity is woven into the DNA of your digital strategy, it empowers your business to move faster, innovate more confidently and maintain productivity even in the face of disruption. This isn’t just about protection; it’s about competitive advantage and sustained growth.

Let’s chat a bit about the realities that demand this swing in perspective.

The financial implications of neglecting cybersecurity: Analysts are predicting that global cybercrime costs are projected to skyrocket, reaching $10.5 trillion annually by year’s end. According to a global benchmarking study, organizations whose cybersecurity practices fail to keep pace with their digital transformation initiatives are significantly more likely to suffer losses of $1 million or more from a single cyberattack.

The global threats are constantly transforming. It’s driven by increasingly sophisticated adversaries using world-class tools.

Malware, phishing and ransomware continue to wreak havoc on our businesses, but future attacks will move toward targeting vulnerabilities within your digital landscape. There is a massive growth in attacks originating from partners, customers and vendors. Your digital transformation expands your business by design, making third-party risk management and supply chain security critical to your success.

So, how can you, as a business leader, integrate cybersecurity into your culture and digital transformation strategies? It starts with a fundamental shift in mindset. Cybersecurity can no longer be a reactive afterthought. A secure-by-design culture must be supported from the top and embedded, from inception, into every digital initiative.

Cybersecurity professionals must have a seat at the table in strategic planning sessions. They cannot simply be informed after decisions are made. Security and compliance insights need to shape design choices, vendor selections and operational workflows from the start.

While preventing security incidents is always the goal, accepting that your business must be prepared is critical. Focus on building cyber resilience, which gives you the ability to anticipate, withstand, recover from and adapt to hostile cyber events.

Put into practice thorough vendor risk management programs, assess the security maturity of your partners, and establish clear security expectations within contracts. Today’s businesses rely heavily on third-party vendors and cloud services. Your risk posture is directly tied to theirs.

Remember that your employees can be your strongest defense or your weakest link. Build a culture in which every employee understands their role in protecting the organization. This goes far beyond traditional security awareness training and phishing simulations. Educate on best practices that can help employees not only in the workplace, but also build digital strength in their personal lives as well.

Digital transformation in your business isn’t just about technology; it’s the evolution of your organization and your industry. By proactively embedding cybersecurity in your business strategy as an enabler rather than a roadblock, you can confidently navigate the complexities and cyber risks of today.

Next month: Your cybersecurity posture can thrive, even in times of volatility.

Jason Albuquerque is the chief operating officer of Pawtucket-based Envision Technology Advisors LLC. You can reach him at www.envisionsuccess.net.