Balancing New Technology Adoption and Security

As the pressure to keep current with new and emerging technologies in each industry rises, businesses must be vigilant about the risks of security vulnerabilities. Hackers often target emerging technology, so businesses trying to stay ahead of the curve may find themselves at greater risk for cyberattacks.

Earlier this year, I tweeted about the first cyberattack to cause a widespread electricity blackout. This just touches the surface of the potential cybercrime has to wreak havoc on our businesses and communities.

Understand the Vulnerability of New Technology

Cyberattack analysis shows us that emerging technology is a favorite target of hackers, since new technology is often ill-equipped to handle an attack. As adoption curves move faster and faster, businesses find themselves at greater risk of information hacking and dangerous malware. Staying on the cutting edge has never been more important—or more dangerous.

The rise of ubiquitous devices and platforms connected across the Internet allow greater access to our big data, sensitive company information, personal identity, and more. While no device is safe from cyberattacks, new technology is particularly at risk. Business owners today need smart, practical security strategies in place when they adopt new technologies to avoid becoming just another statistic.

Be Proactive About Your Security Strategy

New technology can mean vulnerabilities to both new and old technologies. But we know we can’t dismiss new technologies—the answer has to come from how we manage the security threat. Enterprise devices are typically hacked when they are vulnerable in the early stages. Avoid being an easy target by staying on top of security efforts.

Your security strategy should include the hiring of an efficient, agile IT team that will consistently assess and reevaluate your current security plan, and design a network to ensure security. Equip all new technology with strong anti-malware software, and train all of your staff to be security-smart when they use new devices in the workplace. Keep in mind that new technologies and their vulnerabilities can affect both new and old technology.

Bring your own device (BYOD) has long been known to pose a security threat to businesses, and with new technology adoption happening at breakneck speeds, it’s more of a concern than ever. As I discussed earlier this year, BYOD is an evolution we can’t stop, so we should embrace it for the good it does. Build a BYOD policy in your workplace that outlines the regulations concerning personal mobile devices and stay current on mounting security threats as they relate to BYOD.

Play a Part in the Bigger Picture

Chief information officers (CIOs) must be more informed about cyber threats and should weigh the need to competitively advance business against the risks of using new technology. As cyberattacks on new technologies become more prevalent, it’s no longer enough to trust that a device is safe on its own. CIOs must take active steps toward ensuring tech security, including strategizing about the most effective methods and buying safe products.

Trusted tech companies that innovate are already receiving the most business in the industry. As cyberattacks become synonymous with new tech adoption, we’ll turn to companies that have already proven they can build the best protection products. Choosing a smaller but less-proven technology creates an opportunity for a security threat. Instead, turn to large technology vendors for safe new technologies.

Large technology vendors have the resources and know-how to build better, safer devices equipped with anti-malware capabilities. These vendors assume their new devices are targets and take a risk-based defense approach that ultimately protects buyers.

Know Your Role

CIOs need to partner with staff and work alongside large technology vendors in a cohesive effort to minimize cyber security risk. How can you collaboratively fight cybercrime? Secure your data-handling practices and stay agile in the ever-changing technological landscape. When your business adopts new technologies, make security practices clear to employees. Enhancing personal privacy simultaneously enhances company privacy.

Most importantly, if you make yourself an easy target, the odds of being a cyberattack victim greatly increase. Cyber criminals watch for the newest, most untested technologies to hit. When your company adopts a new technology, take extra caution to arm it against attack.

Commit to a company-wide cybersecurity policy that focuses on risk mitigation and consistent threat assessment. If you let your guard down, you open your business up to cybercrime. With that in mind, take my advice and arm yourself with a proactive security strategy for future cyberspace wars.

This post was brought to you by IBM Global Technology Services. For more content like this, visit Point B and Beyond.

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