Última actualización: March 12th, 2021 - 12:09 pm

Written by: Sebastián Stranieri, CEO of VU. 

It’s no longer news that a quality leap in technology improves performance, increases scope and ensures better results in any company or organization. In fact, the pandemic rushed many CIOs, CEOs and Board members to invest in technology, in order to migrate their service development and production processes to new platforms and digital commercialization channels. According to IDC, the market consultancy specialized in IT, 65% of the world’s GDP will be digitalized by 2022 and companies’ investments in digital strategies will grow 15,5% annually, reaching USD 6.8 billions dollars in 2023.

It’s also true that to ensure effective and efficient innovative actions, any company needs to contemplate some security parameters. The adoption of digital transformation brings many benefits, but also a greater dependence on informational systems, which means more exposed surfaces and, with it, a greater risk of suffering cyber-attacks. This, added to the speed at which technology and hyperconnectivity evolve, makes our assets more vulnerable.

Keys to implementing innovation more securely  

#1 Develop a security strategy according to business objectives

A strong security strategy, when implemented effectively, will protect digital assets at the same time it improves the user experience. It will also maintain a certain stability in operations, raise brand awareness and keep the trust levels of partners and collaborators.  

#2 Promote and increase safe collaboration between employees / collaborators.

The need for a more dynamic collaboration between areas and teams (now working from home), increases the risk of information travelling through communication networks. Information is, today, one of the most valuable assets, key for the future of all types of organizations. As cooperation through digital channels grows, so does the risk of suffering cyber-attacks. That’s why it’s so important to focus on educating employees about potential vulnerabilities and prevention measures.  

#3 Thinking about cybersecurity beyond technology

The new normal shows us more than a technological challenge. If we really want to protect our companies and businesses, there are other areas to take care of besides technology: the physical, organizational and legal. There’s no doubt that cybersecurity has a great impact on digital assets, but it helps with physical, organizational and legal security as well. In this sense, the implementation of standards and the adoption of good practices, along with compliance with regulations at local and regional levels, are of great help. 

#4 Focusing on mobile security is the key to this new normal

If there’s something we all learned during this first year of the pandemic, it is that, as long as we have connectivity, we can work from home or from anywhere in the world we want. But just as we adapt to these new rules of the game, cybercriminal are also taking advantage of the fear and the uncertainty of the pandemic to target remote workers and consumers. Everything indicates that 2021 will be very similar in terms of working remotely: connectivity will continue to increase and mobile devices will once again be the protagonists. Certainly, businesses and users will need to think about the security of mobile connections. If they haven’t thought about it yet, it’s time to evaluate technological capabilities and prevention measures available, taking the necessary safeguards and incorporating appropriate authentication tools and solutions. This is the way to avoid attacks from cybercriminals, who will continue to refine their methods and channels.  

Recommendations

Any investment in innovative technology can lose impact if it doesn’t protect the business, customers and vital assets. It’s a fact that the complexity and evolution of development keep challenging IT and business decision makers.  

At VU Security we are convinced that digital transformation changes the foundations of societies and industries. Today, talking about inclusion without considering digital inclusion is anachronistic. To ensure that the benefits of this new era reach everyone, the digital inclusion must be secure. The challenge ahead is to live in a safer and simpler digital world. Everyone: companies and people.