Geopolitical Conflicts: 5 ways to cushion the blow
By prioritizing key areas, security leaders can navigate the complexities of geopolitical conflicts more effectively.
In recent years, the global stage has become increasingly unstable, requiring organizations and security leaders to be hyper vigilant and prepared for turbulent times. While it may be difficult to predict or control macro issues, focusing on aspects of the business within their control is possible. To navigate this complex geopolitical landscape, security teams should prioritize along these five key areas.
1. The Business Landscape
In which parts of the world are you conducting business? Is a conflict brewing there? How might your organization be affected? If you’re running security for a large multinational, then you’ll have significant resources on the ground. Do you have a feedback mechanism in place to understand their challenges and issues? Look at the big picture from a lens of preparedness, redundancy, and resilience: Do you have adequate defenses to thwart a cyberattack and sustain business integrity? Does the nature of your business make you a prime target for state-sponsored attacks? Are your employees prepared and well trained to deal with such periods of elevated risk? Regular cyber simulation exercises have become the norm for organizations keen to ensure that their resilience and response plans are both in place and effective.
2. The Supply Chain
Most security professionals are accustomed to dealing with technology issues. However, there’s a physical component that also needs to be considered, particularly in the supply chain. For instance, when the Russia-Ukraine war began, everything from mobile phones to chips to cars were disrupted. No one fully understood the level of dependency the world had on Ukraine for certain supplies and minerals. Such supply chain complexities and risks must never be underestimated or overlooked. Businesses need to take a broader and more holistic look at the concept of security, because it is no longer confined to technology; there’s a physical piece connected as well.
3. Effect on the Customer Base
Let’s assume a sizable user base in a particular region or part of the world that enjoys a large share of your business is disrupted by a ransomware attack. Is the security team prepared to intercede with the necessary mitigations and backup infrastructure that can ensure the business succeeds and remains up and running? At the very least, is there a communication plan in place to inform your workforce, customers, and stakeholders about the potential fallout from such an attack or breach? If you’re a public company, you’ll be compelled to issue a public statement post haste to inform shareholders. These are some of the many elements that will need attention and planning. Realistically, it can be too much of a burden to bear without outside assistance from independent parties that are not susceptible to inside politics and the myopic tendencies common to ingrained cultures.
