Executives
Weak cybersecurity—including outdated technology and software—is a business risk—one that can impact revenue, reputation, and shareholder value. Large enterprises face persistent, targeted threats, making it critical that they invest in secure products and secure technologies. The drive towards robust cybersecurity is not a one-time decision, but a sustained, continuous effort that requires active participation and accountability from C-Suite executives and board members. While this may be a cultural shift for many businesses, CISA is here to help with information and resources to guide these business decisions.
Tech Debt Puts Your Business at a Competitive Disadvantage
Technology debt happens when companies keep using old systems instead of updating them. Sometimes, the focus on short-term shareholder value means delaying investments in modern technology. But this creates serious risks your company—and even the nation—cannot afford. Outdated systems are easy targets for cyberattacks, putting your business and industry in harm’s way.
The solution is to replace end-of-life systems and adopt modern technology that is supported by the manufacturer to close security gaps. Build a strong cyber defense that keeps adversaries out. As leaders who control resources, you have the power to make cybersecurity and technology modernization top priorities.
Turn cybersecurity into a competitive advantage. Invest in secure, modern systems that earn trust, ensure reliability, and strengthen market confidence.
Cyber Guidance for Corporate Leaders and CEOs
Corporate leaders have an important role to play in ensuring that their organization adopts a heightened security posture. CISA urges all senior leaders, including CEOs, to take the following steps:
Empower Chief Information Security Officers (CISO)
- In nearly every organization, security improvements are weighed against cost and operational risks to the business.
- In this heightened threat environment, senior management should empower CISOs by including them in the decision-making process for risk to the company and ensure that the entire organization understands that security investments are a top priority in the immediate term.
Lower Reporting Thresholds
- Every organization should have documented thresholds for reporting potential cyber incidents to senior management and to the U.S. government.
- In this heightened threat environment, these thresholds should be significantly lower than normal. Senior management should establish an expectation that any indications of malicious cyber activity, even if blocked by security controls, should be reported to Contact@cisa.dhs.gov.
- Lowering thresholds will ensure we are able to immediately identify an issue and help protect against further attack or victims.
Participate in a Test of Response Plans
- Cyber incident response plans should include not only your security and IT teams, but also senior business leadership and Board members.
- If you’ve not already done, senior management should participate in a tabletop exercise to ensure familiarity with how your organization will manage a major cyber incident, to not only your company but also companies within your supply chain.
Focus on Continuity
- Recognizing finite resources, investments in security and resilience should be focused on those systems supporting critical business functions.
- Senior management should ensure that such systems have been identified and that continuity tests have been conducted to ensure that critical business functions can remain available subsequent to a cyber intrusion.
Plan for the Worst
- While the U.S. government does not have credible information regarding specific threats to the U.S. homeland, organizations should plan for a worst-case scenario.
- Senior management should ensure that exigent measures can be taken to protect your organization’s most critical assets in case of an intrusion, including disconnecting high-impact parts of the network if necessary.
Featured Content
Cross-Sector Cybersecurity Performance Goals
Implementing CISA's Cybersecurity Performance Goals (CPGs) will reduce the likelihood and impact of known risks and adversary techniques to both critical infrastructure operations and the American people.
StopRansomware.gov
StopRansomware.gov is the U.S. Government's official one-stop location for resources to tackle ransomware more effectively. These resources help prevent attacks that can severely impact business processes and mission-critical services.
