In the 21st century, technology is virtually ubiquitous. From smartphones to computers, the prevalence of technology in the hands of the commoner is more widespread than ever before. An unfathomable amount of data is transmitted over networks, both by organizations and individuals.

This transmission of massive amounts of data brings with it a certain set of challenges. Wherever there is data, there is a need for security. Organizations can ill afford to have their sensitive data compromised, and must employ preventive measures to avert and plug any security breaches. The reputation and safety perception of an organization hinges on their ability to lock down security protocol. This “locking down” and monitoring/analysis of security protocol is where compliance officers come into play.

CCOs are auditors for cybersecurity and compliance programs

Security threats are never static, and are constantly evolving. CCO-certified individuals are required to avert, identify, and rectify cyberattacks. Having a cybersecurity program with no compliance officer, could be compared to a football match with no referee.

CCOs can get personnel up to speed on requirements

Data breaches and security compromises from the inside, are just as harmful as threats from outsiders. Compliance officers should get employees up to speed on security awareness and protocol. Sessions should highlight security best practices on a recurring basis. An CCO certified professional is ideally equipped to provide insight into these best practices and evolving protocol.

Ongoing monitoring on a consistent basis is key

The availability of new technical tools for monitoring such as Archsight, Foglight, and Guardian require compliance officers to comprehend the data these utilities generate, along with their relevance to existing controls. Organizations are needed to be on their feet not just with regards to threats, but also with the tools that control and regulate these threats. It is not feasible to expect any random employee to be up to this task. Only an CCO can constantly be on the prowl for security breaches and updates, executing related tasks when necessary.

CCOs are required for System Security Plans (SSPs)

SSPs are compliance tools which are viewed as complex, intricate, and cumbersome to manage. However, correct documentation and analysis is required for proper implementation of any plan. It is indeed tragic that an organization could potentially deploy a half-baked plan due to a lack of properly trained compliance officers. SSPs should ideally be in line with a company’s cybersecurity framework. CCOs are ideally equipped to handle SSPs. Only an CCO can ensure that a company’s cybersecurity strategy is in line with its long term plans and objectives.

• Industry standards compliance: Understand the use of key industry certifications and identify gaps, and provide training to enable certification.
• Adoption of best practices & Measuring controls against compliance: Aligning compliance practices, meeting applicable mandates and identify better opportunities, to align security vulnerabilities and compliance processes.
• Optimizing for the future: Development of a customized roadmap based on industry standards, defining your target and business priorities.
• Risk Management: Conducting risk assessments in accordance with guidelines developed by National Institute for Standards and Technology (NIST) and other frameworks.
• Aligning Security Programs with Best Practice: Perform assessment based on ISO 27002 security to identify areas and control requirements based on your information security program.
• Governance: Establishing a governance structure to monitor accountability for the organization’s cybersecurity program.
• Handle Breaches: Application of formal incident and escalation programs in response to breaches and notifying regulators and affected individuals as per policies.
• Testing: Periodical testing of cybersecurity programs.

Roles and Responsibilities of Cybersecurity Compliance Officer (CCO)/ Information Security Manager (CISM)/ Risk and Information Systems Control (CRIC)

The cybersecurity compliance officer’s role is to ensure protection, assess and manage risks, avoid lawsuits etc. Following best practices for businesses in different sectors and reducing threats makes the compliance officer’s role one of the most pivotal roles in the current cyber security scenario, globally.

The compliance officer brings to the table the following talents:

• Communicate risk and need for compliance to organizations and entrepreneurs, brief board members on cyber threats and attacks.
• Educate owners and managers, and determine which standards are applicable to the specific industry.
• Enforce guidelines of cyber risk management set in different globally recognized national and international standards and protocols, that are relevant to the particular industry, whether in banking and finance, healthcare or manufacturing.
• Appreciate that employee breaches could be a fundamental reason behind cyber risk and generate awareness on the need for ethical adherence to policies.
• Ensure that business owners, managers and employees understand the ethics and follow best practices for cybersecurity controls.
• Regular monitoring via internal on-site auditing, reviewing reports and access information, etc.
• Define third party responsibilities in terms of cyber security procedures, and strategize over necessary responses in the event of breach of privacy.
• Use cybersecurity assessment tools to identify breaches.
• Assess risk and create well-documented plan of action in case of an attack.
• Take necessary precautions to address cyber threats and vulnerabilities by generating awareness among stakeholders and leveraging relevant protocols before entering into partnerships.
• Collaborate with government and policy makers to ensure date protection and compliance.
• Continuous policy management, innovation and improvement of the compliance programme to keep up with evolving technology and possible threats that emerge subsequently.
• Review and develop information security policies, oversee vulnerability and penetration tests to avoid system breaches
• Identify and recommend measures to mitigate threats
• Design, implement and maintain cyber security plan for the enterprise
• Develop goals in accordance with regulations, plan ahead and allow for contingencies, become a strategic partner in a company’s cyber risk management practices.
• Represent national and international laws and regulations for the concerned enterprise, thus keeping it away from possible lawsuits.
  Prepare and manage compliance keeping in mind future risks.

In a world that is fast becoming defined by the virtual and the cyber rather than the real and the physical, it is important to understand, and address, the innumerable threats that lie within an ever-changing space.

As technology evolves, so does the possibility of cyber crimes involving hacking, malware, privacy breaches, data theft etc. The RCCO course will enable the student to gain expert knowledge and develop skills and techniques required to assess vulnerabilities and counter attacks.

The course will facilitate leadership in the cybersecurity field, and arm the student with knowledge to participate in cybersecurity assessment of enterprises in different sectors.

The officer can become a sought after strategic partner in cybersecurity controls for organizations.

Some of the major tech giants in the world such as Microsoft and Apple are investing heavily in and promoting cybersecurity as they understand the need for such measures, and of course, for compliance.

For instance, Microsoft has offered free cybersecurity tools to facilitate political campaigns during the upcoming midterm elections in the U.S.

Apple too, in collaboration with CISCO and Aon, has announced a new cyber risk management solution for organizations along with a cyber insurance coverage offered by Allianz.

Wannacry ransomware, the global cyber attack that hit 150 countries worldwide, is an example of the extent of cyber warfare in the current world. Malicious and much more lethal attacks are expected any moment since not just individual hackers but even governments are making use of highly advanced cutting edge technology to hack into the private information of other governments, launching malware to obtain data illegally.

At such desperate times, desperate measures are called for. Hence, compliance.

It is vital that the compliance officer or information security manager remain vigilant at all times, enforcing global standards, ensuring data protection and assuring governments and organizations of a smooth journey ahead.

In the light of this, the CCO course gains significance as a unique courseware that would equip the student to address the increasingly difficult information security controls in an increasingly complex cyberspace, overcome challenges and become an expert in a subject matter that is all set to revolutionize the world a few years from now.

The changing scenario of cybersecurity has an impact on the risk management game categorically. Cyber-attacks are set to turn invisible, sophisticated and pervasive against prominent corporations, government utilities and devices. CCO will play a major role in determining the mode of approach towards cybersecurity compliance. They will also create a new risk management paradigm entirely as there would be several threshold issues that every organization will need to consider. Some of the future threats that would come under cybersecurity compliance are:

• Cloud Security
• Cryptojacking
• Worms
• IoT
• Data Breaches