Effective automation strategies can increase efficiency while enhancing cybersecurity efforts.
Key takeaways
Companies cannot rely on automation alone, as human interaction is necessary to adjust processes.
Companies should focus on how third parties utilize automation to increase effectiveness.
Across the organization, middle market companies are focused on doing more with less. And despite a challenging and evolving risk environment, that charge extends to the cybersecurity function.
To enhance cybersecurity processes while increasing efficiency, many middle market companies are evaluating opportunities to leverage automation strategies. Automation can come in many forms, ranging from more simple robotic process automation deployments to a more advanced artificial intelligence approach. But when done right, automation and the engineering to determine where it’s best integrated can result in significant benefits.
“Today, you definitely can’t keep up with the bad guys without automating as much as possible,” says Justin Devine, a director at RSM US LLP. “It’s that simple. You will fall behind and get none of the value you can get out of your processes if you don’t automate.”
The human element
While automation will be important for effective cybersecurity strategies within middle market companies moving forward, companies cannot rely on automation alone. For example, the human element is necessary to provide look-backs and double-check to make sure no false positives are emerging.
“You don’t just turn automation on and let it happen,” says Daniel Gabriel, a principal at RSM US. “You have to care for it, feed it and tweak it. It’s like having children or a dog. You must keep training it and making sure it’s heading in the right direction, because if you don’t, it will eventually run off to where you don’t want it to go.”
Getting automation right is critical because of the downstream impact of getting it wrong. For example, if bad processes are automated without human oversight to correct potential issues, companies will not get the anticipated value or increase in security. Instead, the same issues will likely emerge, just at a much faster rate.
Evaluating providers
With the prevalence of outsourcing within the middle market, companies should keep a close eye on how managed security service providers leverage automation. Companies should focus on working with third parties that utilize automation to increase the effectiveness of the services they provide.
“If you’re working with a provider that does not leverage automation to a degree, you are working with someone who’s behind the times with regard to what services they provide and how they provide them,” says Gabriel.
Automation at work
For cybersecurity, the ROI will always be risk reduction first and foremost, but automation is a force multiplier. It can reduce risks but also provide several additional process improvements to return additional value to the organization. For example, automation tools can screen user permissions or look for anomalies, enabling employees to focus on more strategic tasks.
In addition, automation can increase the value of products from a security standpoint. For example, when developing software or applications, an organization can implement an automated DevSecOps to integrate and monitor defined security processes. Companies can raise the perception of products or reach various security standards by leveraging automation.
“What value can security automation bring the business beyond risk mitigation?” says Dietz Ellis, an RSM US director. “Efficiency, risk reduction and productivity enhancement can increase potential value while reducing risk.”
From a cybersecurity perspective, automation can strengthen specific functions, such as:
- Cloud deployments: Companies turn to the cloud for increased security and reduced reliance on internal personnel. Automated security enables consistent enforcement of specifically configured controls to meet business needs.
- Identity management: Managing digital identity is essential to protect critical data. Automation can streamline identity processes, providing quicker insights to confirm correct access levels and enabling rapid threat investigation and remediation.
- Compliance: Automation can ease detailed, often manual processes related to regulatory compliance, including data collection, analysis and reporting.
Where to start?
The key to successful automation is typically to target high-volume, repetitive processes, with a focus on reducing spending and providing threat reduction while supporting the bottom line. However, another strategy is to automate areas that take the most time and cause the most pain for users. Automation can not only increase cybersecurity process efficiency and cut costs, but also enhance the employee experience by eliminating challenges and reducing burdens.
The takeaway
The need to do more with less is not expected to subside anytime soon, nor is the elevated cybersecurity risk environment. By implementing an effective automation approach, companies can accomplish two goals at once: identifying and mitigating emerging risks while increasing productivity.
RSM US MMBI
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