Ensuring effective cybersecurity in the retail sector

Prioritizing cybersecurity measures can help CIOs in the retail sector minimise the risk of cyberattacks and protect their organization’s reputation, finances and customers. Muneer Abdurahman, CIO SPAR and Al Sadhan Retail, tells us: “As the CIO in a retail organisation without a dedicated CISO, it is important to prioritise cybersecurity measures to protect the business from potential cyberthreats.” As a leading CIO in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, he offers insightful guidance explaining how retail companies can enhance their security stance and explains how collaboration and knowledge acquisition can help retailers strengthen their overall security posture.

How do you prioritise cybersecurity measures within the retail industry without having a dedicated CISO?

As the CIO in a retail organisation without a dedicated CISO, it is important to prioritise cybersecurity measures to protect the business from potential cyberthreats.

• Stay up-to-date with cybersecurity Trends: Stay informed about the latest cybersecurity trends, threats and best practices. This includes regularly reviewing industry publications, attending conferences and participating in professional cybersecurity organisations.
• Collaborate with other departments within the organisation, such as marketing and finance, to ensure that cybersecurity measures are implemented consistently across the organisation. This includes establishing clear communication channels and ensuring that all departments are aware of their responsibilities for cybersecurity.
• Implement multifactor authentication for all employees accessing sensitive data or systems. This will help to reduce the risk of unauthorised access to critical systems and data.
• Regularly backup all critical data to minimise the impact of a cyberattack or other data loss event. This includes backing up data to off-site locations and ensuring that backups are tested regularly to ensure their reliability.
• Implement access controls to limit access to sensitive data and systems. This includes assigning access rights based on the principle of least privilege, regularly reviewing access rights and removing access rights for employees who no longer require them.

What steps should you take to stay informed of emerging cybersecurity threats in the retail industry?

As the CIO in a retail organisation, staying informed of emerging cybersecurity threats is critical to protect the organisation from potential attacks.

• Subscribe to cybersecurity news and alerts from reputable sources such as the Saudi National Cybersecurity Authority, US-CERT, National Cybersecurity Alliance and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA). This will ensure that you receive timely information about the latest threats and vulnerabilities.
• Attend cybersecurity conferences and seminars to stay informed about the latest cybersecurity trends and best practices. These events provide an opportunity to network with other cybersecurity evangelists and to learn from experts in the field.
• Join cybersecurity professional organisations such as ISACA, (ISC)² and the Information Systems Security Association (ISSA). These organisations provide access to valuable resources, such as training and certification programs, webinars and conferences.
• Participate in Information Sharing and Analysis Centres (ISACs): Join information sharing and analysis centres (ISACs) such as the Retail Cyber Intelligence Sharing Centre (R-CISC). ISACs are organisations that provide a forum for sharing information about emerging threats, vulnerabilities and best practices.
• Engage with your vendors and partners to ensure that you stay informed about any cybersecurity risks that may impact your organisation. Work with them to develop security protocols and to ensure that all parties are adhering to security best practices.

How do you ensure that employees are aware of cybersecurity risks and follow best practices?

• Conduct regular cybersecurity training sessions for all employees to raise awareness of cybersecurity risks and best practices. The training should cover topics such as password management, phishing attacks, social engineering and safe browsing habits.
• Develop a comprehensive security policy that outlines the organisation’s expectations for employee behaviour with regard to cybersecurity. The policy should include guidelines for password management, data access and data handling, as well as consequences for non-compliance.
• Conduct phishing simulations to test employees’ awareness of phishing attacks and to identify any weaknesses in the organisation’s defences. This will help to identify areas for improvement and to reinforce the importance of safe browsing habits.
• Provide regular security reminders to employees through email, posters and other forms of communication. These reminders should emphasise the importance of cybersecurity and provide tips for safe browsing habits.
• Recognise and reward employees who demonstrate good cybersecurity behaviour, such as reporting suspicious emails or following safe browsing habits. This will help to reinforce the importance of cybersecurity and encourage employees to continue to follow best practices.

What strategies should you use to build a strong security team within your organisation?

Building a strong security team is critical for an organisation’s success in mitigating cyberthreats.

• Hire experienced security professionals with a proven track record of success in managing and mitigating cyberthreats. Seek out candidates with relevant certifications such as Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP), Certified Information Security Manager (CISM) or Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH).
• Foster a culture of security within the organisation by making it a top priority and promoting security awareness throughout the company. This includes regular training, communication and reinforcement of security policies and procedures.
• Encourage collaboration between the security team and other departments to ensure that all areas of the organisation are aligned with security goals and objectives. This includes developing cross-functional teams and establishing clear lines of communication between departments.
• Use technology to automate routine security tasks, such as vulnerability scanning and patch management, to free up time for the security team to focus on higher value activities.
• Establish metrics to measure the effectiveness of the security team’s efforts and track progress toward security goals. This includes setting measurable goals and regularly reviewing performance to identify areas for improvement.
• Provide career development opportunities for security team members to encourage professional growth and retention. This includes offering training and certification programs, mentoring and opportunities for advancement.

Can you discuss the importance of collaboration and knowledge acquisition for successful cybersecurity in the retail industry?

Collaboration and knowledge acquisition are essential for successful cybersecurity in the retail industry. Cybersecurity threats are constantly evolving and becoming more sophisticated and it is difficult for any organisation to stay ahead of these threats without collaboration and on-going knowledge acquisition.

Here are some reasons why collaboration and knowledge acquisition are important for successful cybersecurity in the retail industry:

• Shared threat intelligence: By collaborating with other organisations, retailers can share information about cybersecurity threats and attacks. This information can help retailers identify new threats and develop effective strategies to defend against them.
• Learning from others’ experiences: Collaboration allows retailers to learn from the experiences of other organisations in the industry. This includes learning from their successes and failures, as well as their strategies for managing cybersecurity threats.
• Access to specialised expertise: Collaboration can provide access to specialised expertise that may not be available within an organisation. This includes expertise in areas such as threat intelligence, incident response and vulnerability management.
• Enhancing employee knowledge and skills: Collaboration and knowledge acquisition can help to enhance the knowledge and skills of employees within an organisation. This includes providing training and development opportunities, as well as exposure to best practices and new technologies.
• Strengthening security posture: Collaboration and knowledge acquisition can help retailers to strengthen their overall security posture by identifying weaknesses in their existing cybersecurity strategies and developing new, more effective strategies to address them.

How can you promote a culture of cybersecurity awareness throughout your organisation?

As a CIO, here are some strategies we can use to promote a culture of cybersecurity awareness throughout your organisation:

• Develop a comprehensive security training program that covers all employees and contractors in the organisation. This program should cover the latest cybersecurity threats, best practices for protecting data and systems and how to respond to security incidents.
• Make cybersecurity a top priority within the organisation and communicate its importance to all employees. This can include regularly communicating the risks and threats to the organisation, sharing success stories and emphasising the importance of cybersecurity in business operations.
• Encourage all employees to report any suspicious activity or security incidents immediately. This includes providing a clear process for reporting incidents and ensuring that employees understand the importance of reporting incidents as soon as possible.
• Conduct regular security awareness campaigns to keep employees informed of the latest threats and best practices. This can include newsletters, posters and other communication channels to reinforce security messages.
• Use gamification to increase engagement and encourage employees to adopt good security habits. This can include quizzes, puzzles and other interactive activities that make security training more engaging.
• As a CIO, lead by example and demonstrate a strong commitment to cybersecurity. This includes following all security policies and procedures, regularly communicating with employees about security risks and best practices and taking a proactive approach to security incidents.

Which cybersecurity forums or groups are good to participate in?

• Reddit’s r/cybersecurity: This is a popular forum where cybersecurity professionals and enthusiasts share news, tips and resources.
• Cybersecurity insiders: This is a community of cybersecurity professionals that offers news, analysis and insights into the latest cybersecurity trends.
• OWASP: The Open Web Application Security Project (OWASP) is a non-profit organisation that provides information about web application security.
• ISACA: The Information Systems Audit and Control Association (ISACA) is an international organisation that focuses on information governance, security and audit.
• SANS: The SANS Institute is a training and certification organisation that offers a variety of courses in cybersecurity.
• Saudi National Cybersecurity Authority.
• Cloud Evangelists – Cybersecurity board member.

How do you measure the effectiveness of your cybersecurity measures in the retail industry?

Measuring the effectiveness of cybersecurity measures in the retail industry can be challenging, as there are many factors to consider. However, here are a few methods that can be used to evaluate the effectiveness of your cybersecurity measures:

• Regular vulnerability assessments can help identify weaknesses in your systems and applications. You can use vulnerability scanning tools to identify known vulnerabilities and prioritise patching.
• Penetration testing involves simulating a cyberattack to test the effectiveness of your defences. This can help identify vulnerabilities that may not be detected by automated scanning tools.
• Testing your incident response plan can help ensure that your team is prepared to respond to a cyberattack. This can include tabletop exercises or simulated cyberattacks.
• Educating employees about cybersecurity risks and best practices can help reduce the likelihood of a successful cyberattack. You can measure the effectiveness of your training program through assessments or surveys.
• Compliance with industry-specific regulations and standards can be a good indicator of the effectiveness of your cybersecurity measures. Regular audits can help ensure that you are meeting regulatory requirements.

Can you explain the importance of hiring and training cybersecurity professionals?

Hiring and training cybersecurity professionals is crucial for any organisation that wants to protect its assets from cyberthreats. Here are some reasons why:

• Increased protection: Cybersecurity professionals have the expertise to identify and respond to cyberthreats before they cause significant damage to an organisation. By hiring and training cybersecurity professionals, organisations can improve their overall security posture and better protect their assets.
• Compliance: Many industries have regulations and compliance requirements for cybersecurity and hiring cybersecurity professionals can help ensure that an organisation is meeting these requirements. This can help avoid legal and financial penalties for non-compliance.
• Risk management: Cybersecurity professionals can help identify and assess cybersecurity risks and develop strategies to mitigate those risks. This can help organisations avoid costly data breaches and other cyber incidents.
• Incident response: In the event of a cyber incident, cybersecurity professionals can quickly identify and respond to the threat, minimising the impact on an organisation’s operations and reputation.
• Innovation: Cybersecurity professionals can help organisations stay up-to-date with the latest security technologies and best practices. This can help drive innovation and competitiveness in a rapidly evolving cybersecurity landscape.

What are the biggest challenges you face when it comes to integrating new technologies into existing systems in the retail sector and how do you overcome them?

Convincing the business and the board is an essential step in integrating new technologies into existing systems in the retail sector. New technologies can introduce new security and privacy risks, which can be a concern for retailers who deal with sensitive customer data. To overcome this, organisations should ensure that new systems have robust security and privacy features built-in. This can include encryption, access controls and monitoring tools.