Mastering cybersecurity preparedness with Everbridge

By Lorenzo Marchetti, Everbridge Head of Global Public Affairs

Cyber threats are becoming increasingly sophisticated and frequent, posing significant risks to business operations, financial stability, and reputational integrity. For modern organizations, cybersecurity preparedness is not just a strategic advantage, but a critical necessity. Everbridge, a leader in critical event management, offers a comprehensive approach to cyberattack prevention that transforms how businesses respond to and recover from cyber incidents. 

Understanding cybersecurity preparedness 

Cybersecurity preparedness refers to the proactive planning and implementation of measures to prevent, detect, respond to, and recover from cyber incidents. It encompasses various activities such as risk assessment, vulnerability management, incident response planning, continuous monitoring, and fostering a culture of cybersecurity awareness. In essence, it is about building resilience against cyber threats to ensure operational continuity and protect sensitive information. 

The importance of cybersecurity preparedness 

To downplay the importance of cybersecurity planning would mean to commit a fatal mistake. The ENISA Threat Landscape 2023 report highlights ransomware and DDoS attacks as predominant threats, with public administration being the most targeted sector, enduring nearly 19% of attacks. LockBit ransomware accounts for almost half of ransomware incidents, while phishing leads to a 10% rise in Business Email Compromise complaints, resulting in losses over $2.7 billion.  

DDoS attacks are widespread, affecting 13% of Cloudflare customers in 2022, and DNS request flooding increased by 93.4%. TCP-based attacks make up 63% of attack traffic. Alarmingly, 82% of data breaches involve human factors, stressing the need for enhanced security awareness. The IBM 2024 report notes that the average cost of a data breach reached $4.88 million, the highest total ever, urging businesses to invest in cybersecurity frameworks and employee training.  

Real-world incidents happening all over the world underscore the severe implications of cyber threats, affecting numerous government agencies and businesses as reported by the Center for Strategic & International Studies. By investing in cybersecurity, organizations can mitigate risks and protect their assets. Implementing comprehensive security protocols and fostering a culture of cybersecurity security awareness are essential for long-term sustainability and business success in a digital world. 

Recommendations for enhancing cyber preparedness and resilience 

Conduct thorough risk assessments 

Identifying potential cyber threats and vulnerabilities within the organization is the first step toward building a robust cybersecurity strategy. Regular risk assessments help businesses understand their risk landscape and prioritize their cybersecurity efforts. 

Implement comprehensive incident response plans 

Developing comprehensive incident response plans that include automated workflows and clear communication protocols is essential for effective incident management. These plans should be regularly tested and updated to ensure they remain relevant and effective. 

Regular testing and updates 

Regularly testing and updating incident response plans through simulations and drills ensures that organizations are prepared for real-world incidents. These exercises help identify gaps in the plans and provide opportunities for continuous improvement. 

Continuous monitoring 

Utilizing advanced tools and threat intelligence for continuous monitoring of the cyber threat landscape is crucial for staying ahead of potential threats. Continuous monitoring allows businesses to detect and respond to threats in real-time, reducing the risk of successful attacks. 

Foster a culture of cybersecurity awareness 

Involving all stakeholders in fostering a culture of cybersecurity awareness and preparedness across the organization is key to building resilience. Regular cybersecurity training and awareness programs help employees understand the importance of cybersecurity and their role in protecting the organization. 

Key features of Everbridge for cyber preparedness 

How do we support companies in delivering on those recommendations? Through the deployment of Everbridge 360. In particular, the Everbridge platform offers five key features to increase cybersecurity resilience and preparedness.  

1. Real-time risk monitoring

Everbridge offers real-time risk monitoring to help organizations stay ahead of potential threats. This feature allows businesses to continuously assess their cybersecurity planning and identify vulnerabilities before they can be exploited.

2. Automated incident response workflows

Automated incident response workflows streamline the process of managing cyber incidents. By automating routine tasks, Everbridge reduces the time and effort required to respond to threats, enabling organizations to focus on more strategic activities.

3. Comprehensive communication tools

Effective communication is crucial during a cyber incident. Everbridge platform includes comprehensive communication tools that facilitate collaboration among different teams, ensuring that everyone is on the same page and that incident response efforts are coordinated.

4. Detailed reporting capabilities

Detailed reporting capabilities provide organizations with insights into their cybersecurity performance. By analyzing data from past incidents, businesses can identify areas for improvement and refine their cybersecurity strategies.

Seamless integration with existing cybersecurity tools

One of the standout features of Everbridge is its ability to seamlessly integrate with existing cybersecurity tools and frameworks. This includes network security, Security Information and Event Management — SIEM — systems, threat intelligence platforms, and other security infrastructures. By leveraging current investments in cybersecurity, Everbridge enhances cyber resilience and ensures a unified approach to threat detection and response.

A step toward cybersecurity preparedness

In an era where cyber threats are becoming increasingly sophisticated and frequent, cybersecurity preparedness is more important than ever. By investing in proactive planning, risk assessment, and continuous monitoring, organizations can build resilience against cyber incidents and ensure operational continuity. Everbridge comprehensive platform offers the tools and capabilities needed to enhance cyber preparedness and manage cyber incidents effectively.

Take the first step toward building a resilient future with Everbridge.

Sign up for our exclusive webinar that will provide insights into the latest trends in cybersecurity and practical tips for building resilience. Attendees will learn from industry experts and gain valuable knowledge that can be applied to their own organizations.