Cybersecurity is no longer just a technical challenge for IT teams; it’s a fundamental organization issue. As cyber threats become more sophisticated, organizations must ensure their defensive measures aren’t just in place—but effective. This is where validating your security controls comes in.
Validation is the process of reviewing, testing, and ensuring the effectiveness of cybersecurity controls. While setting up tools and processes is critical, it’s equally important to confirm that these measures work as intended when a threat arises. Without regular validation, even the best-laid security plans can crumble, exposing your organization to potentially devastating risks.
This article explores why validation is critical, the risks of neglecting it, and how IT professionals can build a successful validation process.
Why Validation is Critical
Even the most robust security controls require proof of their effectiveness. Without validation, organizations risk unknowingly operating with gaps in their security posture, leaving them vulnerable to cyberattacks. Here are a few reasons why validating controls isn’t optional:
- Ensures Controls Are Functioning Properly: Security measures must not only be implemented but also tested continuously to confirm they work as intended. For instance, backups should not just exist; they must be regularly tested to ensure data can be restored when needed.
- Identifies Gaps and Weaknesses: Technology evolves quickly and so do cyberattacks. Regular validation helps uncover vulnerabilities that may arise due to new threats, misconfigurations, or outdated defenses.
- Compliance: Many industries have strict regulations, such as GDPR, HIPAA, and NIST standards. Routine validation ensures businesses remain compliant, avoiding fines and legal liabilities.
- Adapting to Changing Threats: The rise of AI has introduced new attack vectors, such as deepfake scams and advanced phishing tactics. Validation ensures your defenses are updated to counter these evolving threats.
The Numbers Don’t Lie
- According to IBM’s Cost of a Data Breach Report 2023, the global average cost of a data breach has reached $4.45 million. Testing backups and disaster recovery processes can significantly reduce this cost.
- Studies reveal that 71% of IT professionals consider human error a major contributing factor to cyber incidents. Validation processes, like regular employee training, help address these risks.
Risks of Not Validating Security Controls
Skipping validation might seem tempting, especially for small or stretched IT teams, but the risks are far too great:
- Cyberattacks: Without validation, weak points in your defenses can be exploited by attackers, leading to data breaches, ransomware attacks, and lateral movement within your network.
- Loss of Trust: A security breach can damage your organization’s reputation, erode customer confidence, and invite negative media attention.
- Regulatory Fines: Failing to meet compliance standards can result in legal penalties, especially following a data breach.
- Financial Implications: The cost of a breach isn’t just about recovery. Extended downtime, diminished productivity, and ransomware payouts can drain resources.
Steps to Successfully Validate Your Security Posture
Building an effective validation process doesn’t have to feel overwhelming. Here’s how IT professionals can implement ongoing, practical validation routines:
1. Conduct Regular Assessments
- Perform internal audits to review security policies, procedures, and their alignment with real-world practices.
- Use vulnerability scanning tools like Nessus, Qualys, or OpenVAS to automate scans and identify misconfigurations in your infrastructure.
2. Test Critical Systems
- Regularly test your backups and resiliency controls to ensure rapid recovery after a breach. Make sure disaster recovery plans include air-gapped and immutable backups to safeguard data.
- Conduct penetration testing to simulate actual cyberattacks and reveal vulnerabilities not previously identified.
3. Employ Continuous Monitoring
- Use Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) systems like Splunk or Microsoft Sentinel for real-time insights.
- Deploy endpoint detection and response (EDR) tools, like CrowdStrike or SentinelOne, to detect anomalies and threats across your systems.
4. Update Policies and Procedures
- Regularly revise access control policies to ensure employees only have access to what they need.
- Incorporate lessons learned from incidents to update incident response plans and improve readiness.
5. Automate Whenever Possible
- Leverage automation for repetitive tasks like vulnerability scanning, access reviews, and patch implementation to save time and reduce error rates.
- Tools such as Microsoft Entre ID (formerly Azure AD) offer features to streamline identity and access management.
6. Collaborate With External Experts
- Partner with third-party consultants for specialized expertise in penetration testing or niche systems.
- Ensure these partners have relevant certifications, such as CISSP or NIST-aligned credentials, and experience in your industry.
7. Validate Effectiveness Post-Remediation
- After implementing fixes, test controls again to ensure remediation efforts successfully resolved vulnerabilities.
Choosing the Right Partner for Validation
A strong partnership with a qualified cybersecurity consultant can ease the burden of validation. Here’s how to find a reliable partner:
- Look for Industry Experience: Choose firms with demonstrated success in your industry to ensure they understand your unique challenges and threat landscape.
- Check Certifications: Ensure team members hold certifications like CISSP, CISM, or vendor-specific credentials relevant to your systems.
- Review Proven Track Records: Ask for case studies, references, or client testimonials to confirm successful engagements with similar organizations.
- Demand Direct Expertise: Confirm that certified professionals are directly involved in your project, rather than serving as figureheads.
Final Thoughts
Cybersecurity is a continuous process, not a one-and-done solution. Validation is a critical part of this cycle, helping organizations strengthen security, address vulnerabilities, and meet compliance requirements.
Every step, big or small, adds to your overall security posture. Begin with routine vulnerability scans or testing your backup systems. If resources allow, partner with cybersecurity professionals to run deeper evaluations. Remember, even small actions like employee training and phishing simulations make a difference.
Take Action Today
Strong security starts with informed decisions. Take Rehmann’s 360 IT assessment to evaluate your organization’s IT environment in just 10-15 minutes. After completing the survey, you’ll receive a detailed report, including a result map and best practices scorecard. One of our tech experts will follow up within 1-2 business days to review your results and address potential risks.