Security for Business Continuity

Since the dawn of human civilization security has been one of the key concerns for the continuity of man-made institutions created over a period for the benefit of humanity. Whatever it takes to counter present and future threats comes under the umbrella of security. It could be at individual level, it could be at organizational level and it could be at society level, community level, national level and humanity as a whole. For a common man, whatever it takes to protect and safeguard their interest against the potential threats is security for them. In early days when family was the only institution, threat from forest fire, wild animal attack, diseases, non-availability of food and non-availability of safe & secure shelter etc., were the potential threats to continuity of the family institution.

With the passage of time as humanity progressed through the various industrial revolutions, various institutions came into being for the larger benefit of humanity. During Industrial Revolution 1.0 when businesses were powered mainly by steam based manufacturing, production, distribution and marketing systems; security of plant, machinery and people from external (Attack, fire) and internal (Unauthorised access, Improper handling) potentials threats were the main concern for the business continuity in addition to potential risk of failure of interdependent processes, system, businesses etc. due to whatsoever reason.

During the Industrial Revolution 2.0 when businesses were mostly powered by the electricity and become more complex and automated, availability of uninterrupted power supply become the key factor for the business continuity in addition to whatever potential security risk which were associated during the industrial revolution 1.0. With electricity associated electrical fire hazard becomes one the key factors to counter the associated risk to ensure business continuity.

The development in electrical and electronics powered by electricity given birth the Industrial Revolution 3.0 wherein businesses are powered by cutting edge Information and communication Technologies (ICT) wherein businesses and people become more connected and productive as compared with what they were during previous industrial revolutions. The speed and agility which enabled businesses to produce more with less also enabled potential risk poser, antisocial elements to be more efficient and productive in their antisocial activities. Therefore, with the passage of time, businesses need to be more proactive and vigilant in countering the security threats at all level. Be it at individual level through social engineering, be it at equipment level through inbuilt malware via firmware programming, be it at processes level due to bug in automated application system and be it at network level in interconnected machines & equipment for network injected malware and viruses to compromise the business continuity.

The fast paced development in the field of technologies especially in the area of information and communication technologies, we are virtually on the cusp of Industrial Revolution 4.0 wherein every living and non-living objects will be able to talk to each other ; men , machines and robots powered with artificial intelligent equivalent virtually to human brain will work together and entire world will be interconnected with each other irrespective of businesses , geography , nation and communities. The way we do business will be different all together; the skill set required to succeed will be different, change will be faster than even before in previous industrial revolutions and top of all these businesses would be more prone to disruptors which may come from anywhere unlike during the earlier industrial revolution wherein disruptors were predominantly from the competitors.

Therefore, in-order to ensure business continuity we need to have holistic approach for security as part of business/organizational strategy wherein various aspect need to be taken care keeping present and future aspect of organizational vision and mission. And security must reflect in every action toward materializing the organizational goal by everyone irrespective of rank and file. Be it while handling human resources right from hiring to retiring; be it designing and developing systems, organizational structure, and strategy or be it organizational capability building in terms of skills, staff and style of leadership in tune with the organizational need in line with overall contextual demand of business environment.

Present and future businesses of Industrial revolution 4.0 are going to face more security threats as compared to businesses which were created during Industrial Revolution 1.0, 2.0 and 3.0. In addition to the physical security, virtual security is going to take more critical role as now a day even without physical presence, antisocial element can cause physical damage to organizational properties. For example, in an interconnected modern refinery operation operated with the help of smart system assisted with sophisticated robots can be made to explode through injecting bugs in the automated system causing huge loss not only to one refinery installation but to other interconnected installation like refineries , pipelines and marketing installation causing biggest risk to overall business continuity.  Therefore, with progress in technologies which is enabling businesses to grow at the rate of computer mouse click, same can be reduce to zero within a click. In such situation, security has become more strategic as compared to earlier days. It has become every body`s job not one man or one department`s job in order to ensure business continuity. It has become leadership`s first priority to ensure security of the business to win the trust of its customers and stakeholders. And the customer and stakeholders’ trust can`t be won without ensuring business continuity which is impossible without ensuring organizational security in holistic and sustainable manner. Hence, business continuity without security in next to impossible. Let’s together develop security mind set and be the security champion and help in ensuring the business continuity of the great organization which we belong to!