Research finds lack of cyber knowledge at managerial level

New research has revealed that a lack of teamwork in senior cyber security staff is leaving businesses in the UK vulnerable to reputation damage and fines.

A survey conducted by network and enterprise security firm Palo Alto Networks showed that 10% of C-level respondents said that they only loosely understood the meaning of a cyber security risk, and that they still rely on Google for an explanation.

The results of the survey indicate that a lack of any kind of agreement regarding who is responsible for security could be due to a lack of understanding of cyber security at the senior level.

Palo Alto Networks’ Regional Head Security Officer for  Europe said:

“The new EU regulations will require businesses to step up their cyber security practices, and this can be an opportunity or a risk, depending on how these businesses choose to approach it.

“Preventing data breaches requires everyone in an organisation to work together, share knowledge and define success ahead of European data protection law changes.”

Palo Alto Networks offers a number of recommendations to organisations, such as building a strategy designed to prevent cyber attacks, including an increase of staff accountability and awareness.

Certainly, UK firms need to look at their IT security recruitment strategy and decide if they need to do more to recruit cyber professionals to their organisation. Senior level staff should understand what cyber security involves, but they would be left powerless to an attack if they fail to have trained professionals on board.