Recently, a survey was released that examined how different organizations perceive data security. One question, in particular, yielded surprising yet unsurprising results: a large majority of respondents expressed confidence in the effectiveness of their organization’s data security measures.

This is alarming. Not because you shouldn’t trust your efforts, but because security is never a finished task.

The survey focused on data security, but if a system is compromised, so is the data within it. Therefore, the survey essentially touches on overall cybersecurity, even if that wasn’t its stated goal.

“It Won’t Happen to Me”

This is the first fallacy that sets off a chain of events leading to overconfidence. Assuming that your organization will not be impacted by a cyberattack ignores the vast evidence showing that organizations of all sizes are affected every day. No organization is too small or too large to be targeted. The fact that it hasn’t happened yet is no indication that it won’t.

Believing this fallacy leads to viewing any investment in cybersecurity – be it time, money, or resources – as a wasted effort. It is seen as a cost rather than an investment. This mindset fails to appreciate that a single incident can cause your customers to lose trust in your organization as a safe haven for their data and money, potentially causing long-lasting damage and repercussions.

It also inflates the perceived efficacy of your current methods. If your infrastructure hasn’t been breached, it must mean you’re doing everything right, correct? However, this disregards the reality that there are countless targets out there, and it may just be that your number hasn’t come up yet.

Ask yourself this: is your organization doing more than Microsoft, AT&T, or United Healthcare – companies with vast resources, staff, and know-how – yet still fell victim to cybersecurity incidents in the past few months? What is your organization doing differently that makes it more secure than theirs?

A 100% Secure Environment

A 100% secure environment is the goal – a goal to strive for every day. By claiming your measures are sufficient to protect your data, you’re effectively saying that every possible entry point on every system – from frontline servers to the print server in the cupboard behind the stairs, to every workstation, laptop, and BYOD phone – is covered. Furthermore, your hybrid cloud presence must also be secure, with protected links, deployments, and management.

This is a very bold claim and likely to be written in the long list of “famous last words” before a breach.

Cybersecurity Is a Process, Not a One-Time Deal

Adopting the correct cybersecurity posture cannot be achieved by any single tool or methodology. It’s a path that everyone in an organization must traverse, where each individual’s actions are crucial. Everyone should understand why it’s important and how to act correctly to maintain a secure environment. Additionally, you need the right tools for your environment and the correct processes and mindset when approaching your operations – both IT and business alike.

Just as the defensive process is a long-term goal, so is the offensive one. Like an arms race, if one side stops, the other catches up and overtakes it. New attack vectors, innovative software, and long-term operations must all be considered and defended against to prevent being the proverbial chink in the armor that brings everything crashing down.

A Dangerous Mindset

Assuming your infrastructure is secure is dangerous for multiple reasons. Most importantly, if you assume your systems are not breachable because you follow all the best practices and have the best tools configured correctly with 100% visibility at all times, it is easy to become complacent and stop paying attention. This defeats the purpose.

It also skews your strategic planning and decision-making process. Why invest in new technologies, practices, and defenses against emerging threats if you consider everything secure already? There is no such thing as “secure secure,” so once you consider yourself there, you stop progressing.

The study reveals that a significant proportion of respondents believe they are already at or near this secure state, despite daily news evidence to the contrary.

Confidence in your organization’s cybersecurity measures is not inherently bad, but it must be balanced with a continuous and proactive approach to security. Complacency can lead to vulnerability, and no system is impervious to attacks. It is essential to maintain vigilance, invest in ongoing education, tools, and practices, and stay informed about emerging threats. By adopting a mindset that recognizes security as an ongoing process rather than a final destination, organizations can better protect themselves and their stakeholders from threats new and old alike.

The post The Skewed Perception of Security: A Dangerous Mindset appeared first on TuxCare.

*** This is a Security Bloggers Network syndicated blog from TuxCare authored by Joao Correia. Read the original post at: https://tuxcare.com/blog/the-skewed-perception-of-security-a-dangerous-mindset/