BLUF – As a Chief Information Security Officer, it is crucial that I maintain a
balance between proper training of employees and technology of cybersecurity
even with a limited budget. My primary objective is to reduce organizational risk as
well as possible, and that requires a balance between spending on cybersecurity
technology and training the staff. Since neither human nor machine alone can offer
adequate protection, the goal is to achieve the optimal risk reduction with the
limited budget I have. This begins with a thorough understanding of the threat
environment facing the organization and follows up with thoughtful prioritization of
both human and technical defense.
Approaching the Balance
To start off, risk assessment should be the first factor to prioritize. By
identifying valuable assets, business processes, and threats, I can determine where
the greatest risk is for the company. This allows limited funds to be spent on the
most vulnerable or valuable areas. For example, if outdated software and
misconfigurations are identified as significant vulnerabilities, secure configuration
practices and vulnerability management would be prioritized. Technical controls
employed to automate patching and enforce baseline configurations can be very
effective in reducing exposure to common exploits. Apart from these tools, I would
focus on training staff to recognize the importance of timely updates, system
hardening, and change management. This approach not only deals with the
technical threats at source but also contributes to the overall security culture by
encouraging responsible and proactive behavior. As for the allocation of funds, I
would do 40% to human training, 40% to technology, and 20% for miscellaneous.
Conclusion – These are the steps I would take if I was a CISO on a limited budget,
and was tasked to balance training and cybersecurity technology.