Introduction
Store My Bits International (SMBI) is a leading cloud computing company providing storage capabilities to its clients. Recently, this organization has incurred expenses of over 2 million US dollars to eradicate viruses released by an undisclosed phishing scheme. The scenario presents a solid case for the challenges companies operating in the digital environment stand to face. SMBI needs a powerful strategic plan and response mechanisms to prevent the possible impacts of cyber attacks. This paper gives full details of the proposed plan for mitigating and addressing these real problems associated with modern technologies and the Internet.
Identification of Potential Vulnerabilities
The first step for SMBI to overcome cyber-security threats is to have a proper mechanism for identifying most of the possible vulnerabilities. This approach will allow the involved team to plan for the best response strategy. The first part of the identification plan is developing a team comprised of competent information technology (IT) professionals. This department at SMBI will then need the right tools and systems to pursue their goals. The team will then develop a checklist for inventorying most of the network assets. This approach will define the operating systems in place, their usage periods, and type of Internet in application (Yusif and Hafeez-Baig 4). The team will also be aware of the servers and authentication procedures. The next step of the threat identification model is examining some of the loopholes that attackers could capitalize on. These gaps will ensure that the individuals understand the possible threats SMBI is facing.
The third step for successful identification of vulnerabilities is formulating an intelligence framework. The specific plan should consider these attributes: what needs to receive proper protection mechanisms, goals for network stability and security, possible sources of threat, potential protections, and intelligence team for monitoring emerging threats and strategies different hackers use (Sawyer and Emmett 26). The involved of skilled IT workers would result in increased vigilance. The team will be aware of the potential risks and come up with the most appropriate identification plan. The emerging information from the framework will, therefore, form the basis for preparedness and response mechanisms to any implemented cyber attack.
Proposed Strategic Plan
The proposed strategic plan for overcoming the challenges of cyber attacks at SMBI is informed by the findings and revelations emerging from different publications. For this organization, it is appropriate that proper governance and policy initiatives are integrated in the wider cyber-security framework. The first attribute is for the responsible department to ensure that data security is part of the wider strategic plan (Yusif and Hafeez-Baig 7). Top managers at SMBI need to have a clear understanding of security risks and breaches. They will then partner with IT specialists to understand how a cloud computing organization’s business model attracts numerous security threats. These leaders need to appreciate the fact that it is impossible to eliminate cyber-related attacks and risks.
As part of the governance strategy, the company will launch programs aimed at equipping all workers with information about the possible sources of attacks. These stakeholders will appreciate and understand such risks. They will then be involved to engage in desirable practices and work procedures that do not increase chances of attacks (Yusif and Hafeez-Baig 7). For example, workers would need to verify the origin of messages, emails, and run virus scans before opening them. They will also need to crosscheck their network programs and ensure that they are updated with the latest anti-phishing software. The organization will begin by formulating a compliance strategy for all leaders and workers. This governance approach will contribute significantly to increased preparedness.
The managers at SMBI will consider the power of continuous workshops whereby all employees will receive additional guidelines for keeping cyber security updated and alive. The concept of governance will be founded on discipline, accountability, fairness, and transparency. Internal participants at SMBI will need to share ideas, engage each other, and support a standardized model for identifying and addressing possible risks. The company will have the right department in place to enforce response mechanisms (Sawyer and Emmett 25). Additionally, someone needs to occupy a senior position to guide all followers and offer oversight. He or she will be involved to identify additional opportunities for expanding the strategic plan in place against potential cyber threats.
The concept of continuous improvement needs to be part of the cyber response policy practice. The management will recruit competent individuals who will be completing timely assessments of the established network systems and identify some of the emerging risks. This practice is critical because the global community is experiencing different forms of viruses, malware, and phishing techniques every new day (Sawyer and Emmett 24). This description means that the strategy in plan needs to remain flexible if it is to identify and address unknown threats in the future. The approach creates room for having advanced programs for fighting unnoticed malwares, viruses, updating operating systems, ensuring endpoint protection measures, and activating firewalls. Other techniques would include the provision of passwords and managing access to critical storage systems.
On top of the outlined governance practices, the leaders at SMBI need to have a proper roadmap or document that outlines some of the best initiatives for network systems maintenance. This plan will need to have an effective risk mitigation approach. The involved parties will check for performance indicators, identify emerging gaps, and merge the skills of the team members with the most appropriate resources. This model will create a proper strategy for continuous monitoring and evaluation of the possible risks (Yusif and Hafeez-Baig 4). The human factor element will ensure that all activities and initiatives are aligned to the business model while staying abreast all potential threats that could result in increased expenses.
The management approach at SMBI will need to be redeveloped in such a way that it promotes the cyber-security governance portfolio. Specifically, organizational managers will need to engage others, provide appropriate resources, and encourage reporting. This practice will help the company learn more about projected threats and transform its cloud computing and storage services accordingly (Sawyer and Emmett 26). The organization will also understand how to improve the integrity of its computer and network systems. The knowledge of all potential vulnerabilities will, therefore, trigger a dynamic mechanism that can mitigate most of the threats. This analysis means that the use of proper policy mechanisms and governance models will help this company analyze and eventually control its risks.
Response Mechanisms to Incidents
SMBI operates in a risky industry when it comes to the question of cyber attacks. The incident reported in the scenario shows how some of the vulnerabilities could affect the company’s preparedness, performance, and profits. The outlined strategic plan is founded on proper policy, management, and governance practices. The role of such initiatives is to promote a hybrid system that reduces the possibility of witnessing a serious attack (Danquah 226). However, some of the attempts might succeed and jeopardize SMBI’s business model and aims. The most appropriate response mechanism to such an incident would be necessary to guarantee continued operations.
A four-tiered model sounds plausible for SMBI if it is to overcome any successful attack. This framework begins with the people in the organization. SMBI needs to put in place competent IT workers will possess the right technical skills. These professionals will liaise with the IT department immediately, analyze the level of attack, and gain access to all possible network systems. The individuals will then launch their responses and focus on the best ways to thwart it. There should also be a second team involved in analyzing the critical infrastructures supporting the company’s operations. The second element in the model would be the promotion of proper procedures or guidelines (Danquah 228). At SMBI, all specialists need to be aware of what to do whenever an attack or incident is reported. They will investigate the current systems and work round the clock to restore connectivity.
The third element that forms an integral of the incident response mechanism is that of technology. The company needs to have proper guidelines for identifying the affected technological systems and have additional systems for backup. Under the same framework, the company should have installed antivirus and anti-spying programs that could be re-launched immediately. This practice will lessen the possible dangers and threats of the specific attack. Finally, the information element is essential whereby the right workers will gather adequate details about the attack, source, point of entry, and possible intentions of the hackers (Yusif and Hafeez-Baig 8). This knowledge will be helpful in designing the moist appropriate defense mechanisms for similar future attacks.
Contingency Plan
Some threats might succeed and disorient the operations at SMBI. In such a scenario, the company’s IT specialists would need to activate a recovery system that needs to be in place. This system needs to be designed in such a way that it can replicate all the operations while allowing the relevant department to respond to the attack. This platform will act as the primary backup for SMBI. Employees need to change their current points of access by linking to another Internet source (Sawyer and Emmett 26). The leaders at SMBI will develop several points of access at the users’ disposal. This tactic is designed to help abort the identified cyber attack.
However, some of these measures might not restore organizational operations in the event of coordinated attacks. In such a scenario, SMBI will have several data storage systems that could be activated after a given attack. Some of the IT specialists will be expected to protect stored data and safeguard hardware systems against damage. They will perform repeated backups to protect clients’ information and details (Danquah 229). The move to activate other systems will reduce chances of additional attacks while allowing the organization to continue pursuing its operations. This contingency plan will increase SMBI’s sustainability and continue to offer its services even after a successful attack.
Conclusion
Businesses are constantly threatened by the possibilities of cyber attacks. The leaders at SMBI need to learn more about the latest attack and implement an effective strategic plan guided by proper governance, policy, and management practices. The involvement of all key stakeholders and the formulation of a proper response mechanism would help mitigate the impacts of cyber threats. A proper contingency plan is critical to prevent total collapse of SMBI’s systems and ensure that it continues to pursue its goals even after a successful attack.
Work Cited
Danquah, Paul. “Security Operations Center: A Framework for Automated Triage, Containment and Escalation.” Journal of Information Security, vol. 11, no. 4, 2020, pp. 225–240.
Sawyer, Grayson, and Brayden Emmett. “A Review of the Cybersecurity Programs in the United States Army.” Journal of Information and Technology, vol. 5, no. 1, 2021, pp. 22-30.
Yusif, Salifu, and Abdul Hafeez-Baig. “A Conceptual Model for Cybersecurity Governance.” Journal of Applied Security Research, vol. 16, no. 4, 2021, pp. 1-24.