Cyber Gap Analysis
What is Cyber Gap Analysis?
A cyber gap analysis is a systematic review, carried out by your Managed Services Security Provider (MSSP), of an organisation’s current cybersecurity measures against best practices or specific industry standards.
By comparing the current state with the desired state, businesses can pinpoint vulnerabilities, inefficiencies, and areas requiring enhancement.
Benefits of Performing a Cyber Gap Analysis
Diversify to mitigate risk
Diversifying cybersecurity tools helps to mitigate risk. Avoiding sole supplier reliance will safeguard against widespread vulnerabilities if a company is compromised.
Identify Weaknesses
Before a threat actor exploits a vulnerability, you can detect and fix it.
Stay Compliant
Especially relevant for industries with strict regulations, a gap analysis ensures compliance, potentially saving businesses from hefty fines.
Enhanced Security Posture
A holistic view of the security landscape ensures that all potential threats are addressed, bolstering defence mechanisms.
Optimised Resource Allocation
By knowing where gaps exist, companies can better allocate resources to areas that need it the most.
Steps in a Cyber Gap Analysis
The first step in any Cyber Policy
Cyber Gap Analysis needs to be the first step in any cyber policy, usually followed by CyberEssentials and IASME Cyber Assurance, before implementation of security packages
Define Objectives
Understand what standards or best practices you're measuring against. This could be industry standards, compliance requirements, or internal benchmarks.
Gather Data
Examine current cybersecurity policies, procedures, tools, and configurations. This includes firewall settings, access controls, incident response plans, and more.
Develop a Plan
Based on the identified gaps, devise a comprehensive plan to address each weakness. This could mean investing in new tools, training staff, or revising policies.
Identify Gaps
With data in hand, compare your organisation's current state to the desired benchmarks. List out disparities in security measures.
Implement Changes
Begin the process of bridging the gaps by rolling out the changes in the plan.
Re-evaluate Regularly
Cybersecurity is a continually evolving landscape. Regularly performing a cyber gap analysis ensures that an organisation remains ahead of potential threats.
Seek Expertise from MSSPs
While conducting a gap analysis internally is possible, the depth, breadth, and ongoing nature of security threats often necessitate the specialized skills and resources provided by an experienced MSSP. Their comprehensive approach to security allows businesses to fortify their defences and adapt to the ever-evolving threat landscape more effectively:
Deep Expertise
MSSPs bring extensive knowledge of the latest threats, tools, and best practices.
Third-party Perspective
An external viewpoint can identify gaps that might be overlooked internally due to bias or familiarity.
Resources
MSSPs come equipped with advanced tools and a team of experts, ensuring a thorough and accurate analysis.
Conclusion
A cyber gap analysis is more than just a cybersecurity audit. It’s an opportunity for organisations to take a proactive approach to their cybersecurity posture.
Cyber Gap Analysis will usually take the form of a one-hour video call. This call produces a report that you can then use as a guide or have us take it further on your behalf.
We also provide Cyber Essentials Certification and the option to top-up Cyber Insurance, above the normal free Cyber Essentials £25,000 cover.
As the cyber landscape evolves, so should the defensive measures of businesses. By routinely evaluating and addressing vulnerabilities, companies can stay a step ahead of cyber adversaries.
Remember, in the world of cyber defence, the best offence is a strong, gap-free defence