Cybersecurity attacks against states and municipalities are increasing exponentially, as well as threats against government agency’s supply chain. In concert with the increased attacks, agencies have too few resources to manage defenses, creating an ever-increasing challenge.
Not spending money on cybersecurity is not an option, so how does an agency spend wisely? How does an agency measure the effectiveness of the spend? What are the criteria used to substantiate additional resources? How does an agency maintain their funding with every other agency competing for the same cybersecurity dollar?
Agencies are discovering that a defensive posture with a “spray and pray” technology approach is failing in the face of organized and sophisticated threat actors who are constantly innovating.
The world is changing, and threat actors are teaching us all that good cybersecurity is less about bigger budgets than it is about using your existing budget effectively.
Here is an exploration on how to do that.
Understanding the Threat Landscape
Identifying Threats
Knowing who is targeting your organization and why is the first step in prioritizing your cybersecurity budget. State and local governments are often targeted by cybercriminals, hacktivists, and nation-state actors. These threats can range from ransomware attacks aiming for financial gain to politically motivated hacks seeking to disrupt services.
Threat Intelligence and Knowing Your Enemy
Gathering and analyzing threat intelligence is crucial. By understanding the specific risks your organization faces, you can allocate resources more effectively. Threat intelligence provides insights into the tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs) used by adversaries, allowing you to anticipate and mitigate potential attacks.
It’s not enough to be reactive with your threat intelligence. Indicators of Compromise (IoCs) are important, but they only show you what has already happened. Deploying a human threat intelligence program will allow you to sniff out threats before they become incidents so you can divert your budget toward defenses you know you’ll need.
Budget Allocation Strategy
Risk Assessment
Understanding your risk profile is essential for effective budget allocation. Conducting a thorough risk assessment helps identify the most critical assets and vulnerabilities. Determine what you are willing to risk and what must be protected. This understanding will guide your spending priorities.
Prioritization Framework
Using a structured framework, such as the CIS-18 Framework or NIST, can help prioritize your cybersecurity efforts. This framework provides a comprehensive approach to managing and reducing cybersecurity risks. Focus on the following areas:
- Identify: Understand your environment and critical assets.
- Protect: Implement safeguards to ensure the delivery of critical services.
- Detect: Develop and implement activities to identify cybersecurity events.
- Respond: Develop and implement plans to respond to detected cybersecurity incidents.
- Recover: Develop and implement plans to restore capabilities or services impaired by a cybersecurity event.
Engaging Managed Services
24/7 Managed Services
Partnering with managed service providers (MSPs) who offer 24/7 support can significantly enhance your cybersecurity posture at a cost that is fractions of establishing your own. These providers monitor your systems around the clock, ensuring that potential threats are identified and addressed promptly.
Value-Added Services
Choose MSPs that do more than just send alerts. Look for providers that offer in-depth analysis and actionable insights. They should help you understand the significance of each alert and provide guidance on how to respond effectively.
Building Cyber Resiliency
Exercises and Assessments
Regular cybersecurity exercises and assessments are vital for identifying and addressing gaps in your defenses. Simulate real-world attack scenarios that are legitimate threats to your organization. This helps define the correct response plans and improves your readiness.
Continuous Improvement
Cybersecurity is not a one-time effort but an ongoing process. Continuously monitor your environment, update your defenses, and learn from past incidents to improve your security posture.
Effective Communication and Training
Stakeholder Communication
Clear communication with all stakeholders about cybersecurity priorities and strategies is essential. Ensure that everyone, from top executives to front-line employees, understands their role in maintaining security.
Staff Training
Regular training for staff is crucial. Educate your employees on recognizing and responding to cyber threats. This not only helps prevent incidents but also ensures a quick and effective response when they occur.
Cybersecurity Culture
Establish and maintain a culture of cybersecurity. Ensure that everyone knows that they have a critical role in maintaining your organizations posture. This means creating a top-down set of policies and behaviors which enforces aa cybersecurity culture.
Look at Peers
Real-World Examples
Look at examples of other state and local governments that have successfully prioritized their cybersecurity budgets. For instance, some municipalities have implemented comprehensive risk assessments that led to significant improvements in their security posture.
The Right Spend, Not the Bigger Budget, Makes All the Difference
Prioritizing your limited cybersecurity budget requires a clear understanding of your threat landscape, a structured approach to risk assessment, effective use of managed services, and continuous improvement through exercises and training. By following these guidelines, state and local governments can enhance their cybersecurity defenses, protect critical assets, and build a resilient organization.
Schedule a consultation with our government specialists today and ensure your cybersecurity budget is optimized and effective. Take the first step towards a more secure future for your community.
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