Responsibility for cyber security stops and starts at Board level, says APMG

Responsibility for cyber security stops and starts at Board level, says APMG

Non-executive directors leaders should take heed from recent data breaches

Boards must become fluent in the language of cyber security to improve the way their companies deal with threats, says APMG International. When it comes to cyber security, when does ignorance become negligence?

The Companies Act 2006 states that directors have a legal responsibility to act within their powers and promote the success of their companies, and to exercise independent judgement, reasonable care, skills and diligence. As the severity and frequency of data breaches has increased, cyber security has become an integral part of reasonable care of a company. It is therefore critical that Board members and Non-Executive directors have a full understanding of the threat landscape and their data protection strategies.

Richard Pharro, CEO of APMG, commented:

“In the wake of recent breaches, CEOs and their Boards up and down the country are taking the time to assess their own cyber security posture – and if they’re not, they certainly should be. Responsibility for cyber security stops and starts at Board level and it’s critically important that Board members, Non-Executive directors in particular, have a firm grasp of their companies’ risks and vulnerabilities. We are fast arriving at a point when it is no longer acceptable for directors to say that they don’t understand technology or cyber security, which begs the question: When does ignorance become negligence?

“Many Board directors take comfort from the fact their organisations are compliant with standards, such as ISO 27001 and PCI DSS, and believe that their compliance is sufficient for dealing with the threats we face today. Unfortunately, it isn’t. While important, compliance speaks to the state of a business at a given time, but gives little indication about risks, which must be assessed and reassessed on a regular basis,” he continued.

Earlier this year, APMG launched a new cyber defence assessment tool for businesses, CDCAT, which provides a methodology and scoring system for cyber defence preparedness. Drawing on government, military and industry standards of best practice, the assessment shows where the gaps are, and provides a detailed roadmap on how to best mitigate these factors.

“Today’s cyber threat landscape is so sophisticated that security practices cannot prevent all attacks, and, plainly, TalkTalk won’t be the last company to experience a breach of this nature. But there are clearly defined steps that businesses can take to mitigate the impact of an attack or a breach – and make a tangible difference to their cyber defence preparedness. Tools such as CDCAT make the complex world of cyber security more accessible and easier to understand, shifting the discussion away from technology towards management and business practices. This in turn helps directors to identify vulnerabilities in their systems, processes and practices and to define strategy to mitigate risks to critical information assets,” he concluded.

[su_button url=”http://www.apmg-international.com/en/about/directors-board.aspx” target=”blank” style=”flat” background=”#df2027″ color=”#ffffff” size=”10″ radius=”0″ icon=”icon: arrow-circle-right”]For more on APMG click here[/su_button]

Georgina Turner image

Georgina Turner

Sales Manager

Read the Latest Issue

Follow us on X

Follow us on X

Click Here

Follow us on LinkedIn

Follow us on LinkedIn

Click Here

Advertise here

Reach decision makers and amplify your marketing

Advertise here

Click Here

Related News

Graphic displaying a lockdown solution

Netgenium debuts next gen display and touchscreen technologies

Power-over-Ethernet (PoE) solutions specialist Netgenium will be showcasing its new range of IP…

ICT® Launches New TSL Access Reader Series

Integrated Control Technology (ICT®), a leading manufacturer of intelligent access control and…
Image Provided by Paxton

Paxton Partners with Skills for Security

The security technology manufacturer Paxton is proud to announce a partnership with Skills for Security…
Image Provided by ICT

ICT and Ingram Micro sign distribution agreement MEA

Integrated Control Technology (ICT), award-winning global manufacturer of intelligent electronic access control and security solutions..
Image Provided by Toshiba

Toshiba launches new HDD Innovation Lab

Toshiba Electronics Europe GmbH (Toshiba) has inaugurated a new HDD Innovation Laboratory (HDD Innovation Lab) at its site in Düsseldorf..
Image Provided by Verkada

Verkada Doubles Down on the Channel with Strategic New Hire

Verkada, a leader in cloud-based physical security, today announced the appointment of Micah Deriso as Head of Global Channel…
Image Provided by IPSA

IPSA Appoint Frontline Hero as Ambassador

Abdullah, the courageous security officer praised for foiling a horrific knife attack at Leicester Square, has been appointed as…
Image Provided by Codelocks

New Surface Latch from Codelocks

Codelocks is expanding its Gate Solutions by Codelocks range with the introduction of the new Codelocks’ Surface Latch…
Image provided by Genetec

Nicholas Smith to Lead Genetec UK and Ireland Operations

Genetec, provider of enterprise physical security software, announced the appointment of Nicholas Smith as its new Regional Sales Director…

News Desk

View all the latest, product, project and people news

News Desk

Click Here

Technology News

Keep up-to-date with the latest product innovation

Technology News

Click Here

Industry Sectors

Discover technology in action in all applications

Industry Sectors

Click Here

Enter The Awards

Showcase personal or organisation excellence

Advertise With Us

Reach decision makers and amplify your marketing

Advertise With Us

Click Here
Scroll to Top