You're facing non-technical executives. How do you simplify network security threats for them to grasp?

Well just state a relation with day to day activities Network security is like protecting a building, just as you use locks and alarms to keep burglars out, you need firewalls and monitoring to keep hackers from stealing data. A breach isn’t just a technical issue,it poses serious business risks like financial loss, legal trouble, and reputational damage. Common threats include hackers (outsiders trying to break in), employee mistakes (accidentally leaving doors open), and malware (viruses that disrupt operations). Investing in cybersecurity is like investing in insurance and emergency plans, it’s essential for safeguarding the company’s future!!

To simplify network security threats for non-technical executives, I compare it to protecting a house. Firewalls are like locked doors, antivirus software is like a security system, and regular updates are like maintaining strong locks. Using these relatable analogies helps them understand the importance and impact of our security measures.

A system architect, DPO, Technical Team and a Lawyer (which represents the company interests) should analyse, and they should create a report of the current situation. This will offer a clear overview over the risks and how will impact the company. Is more easier to add all important actors from the first moment because each of them have a different perspective over the activities and what can happen if something is going wrong. If you find the critical points from your business and in time you find a solution to cover them, then you have a chance to succeed.

Compare to Physical Security: Explain network security by drawing parallels to physical security. For instance, you could compare a firewall to a security guard at a building entrance, filtering out unauthorized individuals and allowing only those with proper credentials. Use Everyday Examples: Describe cyber threats in terms of everyday scenarios. For example, you could compare phishing emails to a con artist trying to trick someone into giving away personal information.

Imagine your organization's network as a well-guarded fortress. Just as a fortress has multiple lines of defense, your network employs various layers of security to thwart cyber threats. The first line of defense is like the outer walls of the fortress, designed to keep out unauthorized entities. This includes firewalls / intrusion detection systems that filter traffic and identify potential threats before they reach the internal network. Within the walls, the fortress is surrounded by a moat, separating the outer defenses from the core areas. Network segmentation creates isolated sections within your network, ensuring that even if an intruder breaches the outer defenses, they cannot easily move laterally within the network.

Executives regularly assess risks, whether it's entering a new market, launching a product, or making a significant investment. Decisions are based on evaluating potential rewards against possible risks. Network security operates on similar principle & like any risk management strategy, is about making informed decisions to protect the organization's assets & ensure long-term viability. Just as a company might assess the risks of a new market by looking at economic stability & competitor presence, we identify vulnerabilities by analyzing the network's exposure to potential threats. This involves evaluating outdated systems, poorly configured access controls, or unpatched software, all points of potential weakness that adversaries exploit.

In my experience, the weakest link in the security chain remains the human operator. Social engeneering, easily guessable passwords, breaking password policies by using passwords with only minor variations, fatigue and not paying attention to details - any of these may be used as attack vectors, so keeping everyone in your company (especially the less tech-inclined people), as well as your partners and third-party contractors informed, well trained and up to date with all current threats is a must for any IT operations company or department, no mater its size. Teach them to identify and report anything out of the ordinary and reward the prevention of real security breaches and you can prevent 99% of the incidents you hear about in the news!