Cybersecurity, safeguarding computer information systems, hardware, networks, and data, has been one of the top priorities of organisations across all industries globally. While technology becomes more sophisticated and cybercrimes become more threatening, practices to protect organisational assets against cyber threats increasingly become necessary.
Statista notes that there are around 5.45 million cybersecurity professionals globally in 2023. Even though the number has increased from 4.6 million professionals in 2022, the talent gap remains to be wide in the industry, as the demand for cybersecurity skills continually shoots up. Even with a widening gap, current cybersecurity professionals make the most they can with the skills they have learned throughout the years.
Cybersecurity in 2023
For Patrick Joyce, the Global Resident CISO, Proofpoint, the most effective cybersecurity strategy he learned in 2023 is a people-centric approach to cybersecurity and protection.
“As evident from 2023, bad actors are increasingly employing techniques like social engineering and phishing, exemplifying their focus on manipulating
human behaviour to infiltrate systems, rather than exploiting technological weaknesses.”
Mel Migriño, the Southeast Asia regional director at Gogolook, and chair and president of Women in Security Alliance Philippines, acknowledges that cybersecurity strategy varies from one enterprise to another. She adds that cybersecurity strategies are primarily driven by a company’s risk appetite, resources, capabilities, and regulations.
“Zero trust as a framework and operational strategy is effective to most organisations following a prioritised approach. Also, the Assumed Breach strategy worked well mostly in critical infrastructure,” the Gogolook executive says.
While there is no one-size-fits approach to cybersecurity strategies, Migriño says it must align with business objectives, risk management framework and principles, people and culture, and regulatory and contractual obligations.
Joyce’s most significant learning in 2023 is the awareness of being up against constantly evolving threat actors.
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