Strategic Planning in Cybersecurity: A Holistic Approach for 2025

In today's rapidly evolving digital landscape, cybersecurity has become a paramount concern for businesses of all sizes. Cybercriminals constantly develop and deploy new attack vectors and tactics, exploiting existing vulnerabilities or creating new ones. To survive in such a threatening scenario, it is crucial for organizations to develop and implement a strategic plan that encompasses various facets of security. This article explores key components of a

comprehensive cybersecurity strategy for 2025. While this article may not present groundbreaking new techniques, it emphasizes fundamental concepts that are often overlooked yet form the foundation of a robust security posture.

Understand Your Company and the Security Department’s Role

It is a common misconception to position security as a primary strategic goal in itself, often leading to unrealistic expectations and misalignment with the board or C-level executives. This is something important because alignment with senior levels of the organization is key for a successful security program.

Unless an organization produces security solutions or if for a market, regulatory or contractual reasons there are security requirements mandatory for the business to thrive, security is a support activity. In any case, security exists for two very specific reasons and purposes: Allowing the business to run successfully and enabling business to happen in a secure way. There are very few situations when security will be a goal or a reason itself, which are most common in specific industry sectors or in governmental organizations.

Well-intentioned security efforts can sometimes become blockers to important business activities, causing inefficiencies and resource waste, ultimately undermining the intended security benefits and doing more harm than good. Beyond adding unnecessary costs, it impacts user experience and creates resistance against the security program, encouraging people to find ways to circumvent security controls. Finding the right balance between security controls and the business operational needs is not an easy task, as it is dynamic and demands constant review and reassessment.

Therefore, security leaders must understand the organization's mission, vision, values, principles, goals, and objectives, and align the security program accordingly to actively enable their achievement. Having it crystal clear is the first and most important step for a successful security strategy or program.

Understanding Internal and External Scenarios

A holistic security strategy requires a deep understanding of both the internal and external contexts. Sun Tzu teaches us: “If you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles. If you know yourself but not the enemy, for every victory gained you will ¹ also suffer a defeat. If you know neither the enemy nor yourself, you will succumb in every battle.” ²  

The internal context must encompass a clear perspective about your information infrastructure (including information in all formats and on all media), employee training level and program, organizational policies and standards, business strategy (mission, vision, values, principles and priorities). A critical, yet often undervalued, aspect of the internal context is the employees' perception of security. This is especially important because an organization is, essentially, a group of people marching together towards shared goals and, if these people are not aligned with security and don’t understand why this is important for the business and for achieving their own goals, there is a significant risk that people will be tempted to circumvent security controls. Implementing role-based access controls, regular internal audits, and fostering a security-conscious workplace culture can strengthen internal defenses.

The external context involves a comprehensive understanding of the organization's industry. This includes monitoring the broader threat landscape (such as cyber-attacks targeting industry-specific vulnerabilities), assessing the organization's exposure on the web and in the news, identifying potential threat actors, anticipating market changes, and staying abreast of regulatory requirements. Use of external threat intelligence platforms, collaboration with industry peers, and attending cybersecurity forums contribute to a proactive and holistic approach.

Analyzing the interplay between internal and external factors can help organizations predict emerging threats, and proactively adapt their defenses. For example, geopolitical tensions might escalate certain types of cyber espionage or denial-of-service attacks targeting specific industries.

Risk Assessment and Risk Management

A robust cybersecurity strategy begins with a thorough risk assessment. This involves identifying and evaluating potential threats to the organization's information systems. By understanding the likelihood and impact of various risks, companies can prioritize their efforts and allocate resources effectively. This process should involve detailed analysis using tools like vulnerability scanners, penetration testing, and security audits. Risk assessment frameworks, such as FAIR (Factor Analysis of Information Risk), can provide structured methodologies to quantify risks and aid decision-making.

After identifying risks, organizations must implement mitigation measures aligned with their defined risk appetite and tolerance levels. Organizations should leverage the key risk management approaches—acceptance, avoidance, mitigation, and transference—to manage identified risks according to their risk appetite and tolerance.

For those willing to go deeper on risk assessment and management, I recommend reading my article on LinkedIn about it.

Cost-Effectiveness and User Experience

Balancing cost-effectiveness with robust security measures is a constant challenge, as the number of available security products, systems, and features is virtually limitless. Since security's primary goal is to enable business operations securely, there is a point of diminishing returns where the cost of security outweighs its benefits. This point is typically reached when the potential financial impact of identified threats is lower than the cost of implementing corresponding security solutions. This is why security budgets should focus on areas with the highest risk-reward ratio, such as endpoint security and identity management. Leveraging open-source security tools, where appropriate, can optimize budgets without compromising protection, if those can be smoothly integrated on the overall security program.

Seamless integration of security tools into daily workflows is essential. Overly restrictive measures can hinder productivity, lead to employee dissatisfaction, and even incentivize insecure workarounds. Therefore, security leaders must be creative in finding solutions that enhance security without unduly burdening users. Clear and consistent communication with the organization is critical to ensure that personnel understand the rationale behind security controls and procedures.

There are several ways to enhance security without jeopardizing user experience, such as using password managers to enhance security without complicating access and providing role-specific training for minimal disruption and maximum impact. Considering implementing single sign-on (SSO) combined with multi-factor authentication (MFA) is another way to balance user convenience and security, reducing login-related inefficiencies while safeguarding critical systems.

Supporting Business Growth and Adding Value

A well-designed cybersecurity strategy should not only protect but also enable the organization’s growth. This involves aligning security initiatives with business goals, such as supporting cloud migrations, enabling digital transformation, or ensuring compliance in new markets. Transparent communication about security measures with stakeholders builds trust and enhances the company’s reputation.

Knowing Threats and Threat Vectors

Designing effective defenses requires a thorough and up-to-date understanding of the constantly evolving threat landscape. This is particularly challenging due to the accelerating rate of change in the threat landscape. Threat actors are increasingly leveraging AI to enhance their capabilities in developing new exploits and techniques. This necessitates that cybersecurity professionals adopt flexible, adaptive tools and strategies to maintain pace.

Traditional reliance on Indicators of Compromise (IOCs) is becoming increasingly insufficient. Tools based on User and Entity Behavior Analytics (UEBA) are becoming essential for detecting anomalous activities that may indicate sophisticated attacks. Furthermore, information security professionals must proactively maintain their knowledge of the evolving threat landscape and defensive technologies. Reading the latest reports, signing curated newsletters, listening podcasts and even using AI to stay up to date is not an option, but a condition sine qua non to have better conditions to understand the environment and be able to foresee what is coming, adapting the information security strategy on a timely manner.

Thinking Like the Opponent

It is not uncommon for former black hat hackers to be recruited by government agencies and enterprises for defensive roles. These individuals, beyond highly capable from a technical perspective, possess a valuable combination of technical expertise and an attacker's mindset. Anticipating threats is crucial for information security professionals. Drawing a parallel to military strategy, security teams must adopt the adversary's perspective, assess their own vulnerabilities, and proactively strengthen defenses to deter or mitigate potential attacks. This is crucial for developing a robust and resilient security strategy. Simulating real-world attack scenarios through red team exercises provides actionable insights into unprotected attack vectors. Moreover, embracing frameworks like MITRE ATT&CK can guide organizations in understanding and countering specific attacker tactics and techniques.

Compliance and Continuous Updates

Adherence to standards such as ISO27001 and SOC2, as well as frameworks such as NIST SP 800-53 and the NIST Cybersecurity Framework (CSF), is not merely about having a badge or certificate to present. Beyond demonstrating a commitment to best practices, achieving such certifications and incorporating the needed changes to keep it during the audits life cycle is an amazing opportunity to embrace a continuous improvement approach and “corporate lifestyle”. The evolving regulatory landscape, including directives like NIS2 and regulations like GDPR in the EU, HIPAA in the US, and emerging AI governance frameworks, makes compliance a critical component of any organization's information security strategy. Organizations must invest in dedicated, well-trained compliance teams and appropriate tools to manage the complexities of these regulations. Failure to do so can result in significant consequences, including enforcement actions, substantial financial penalties, and even criminal liability for executives.

Future Outlook

As previously discussed, the pace of change in both cybersecurity defenses and threats is accelerating. Threat actors are rapidly adopting new technologies to increase attack efficiency. Concurrently, emerging technologies like AI, quantum computing, and zero trust architecture are redefining cybersecurity, including sophisticated social engineering attacks such as highly realistic phishing, vishing, and smishing campaigns. Within the next few years, preparing for quantum-safe cryptography will become essential for long-term resilience.

Building a Resilient Cybersecurity Strategy for 2025 and Beyond

https://egs.eccouncil.org/services/security-strategy-and-transformation/

Given the complexities outlined above, building a resilient cybersecurity strategy requires a structured and adaptable approach. Here’s a roadmap suggestion for organizations of any size:

1. Foundational Principles
   • Security as a Business Enabler and competitive advantage: Reinforce the concept that security isn't just a cost center but a crucial element that enables business growth, innovation, and customer trust. Quantify the business impact of security investments whenever possible (e.g., reduced downtime, avoided fines, enhanced reputation).
   • Leadership Buy-in: Secure unwavering commitment and support from senior leadership. Cybersecurity must be a top-down priority, with clear communication and resource allocation. Present security risks in business terms that resonate with executives, so they will understand the business impact of security incidents.
   • Security by Design: Integrate security considerations into every stage of system and application development. This “shift left” approach minimizes vulnerabilities and reduces remediation costs.
   • Zero Trust Mentality: Evolve towards a Zero Trust security model, assuming no implicit trust, verifying every user and device, and limiting access to only what’s necessary. This significantly reduces the attack surface. It doesn’t mean not trusting the people inside your organization, but just not trusting anyone as everyone is vulnerable and exploitable.
2. Strategic Planning Framework
   • Situation Analysis:
     • Internal: Deep dive into current security posture, policies, technologies, and team capabilities. Identify strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT analysis).
     • External: Continuously monitor the threat landscape, industry trends, regulatory changes, and emerging technologies. Use threat intelligence platforms and collaborate with industry groups.
   • Goal Setting: Define clear, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART) security objectives. Examples:
     • Reduce incident response time by X%.
     • Increase employee security awareness training completion rates to Y%.
     • Achieve compliance with specific regulation by date.
   • Strategy Development: Outline the specific actions and initiatives to achieve the security goals. Prioritize based on risk and business impact. This may include:
     • Technology deployments (e.g., SIEM, EDR, cloud security tools)
     • Process improvements (e.g., incident response, vulnerability management)
     • Security awareness programs and training
     • Policy updates and enforcement
   • Implementation: Execute the strategy with clear roles, responsibilities, and timelines. Track progress and adjust as needed.
   • Monitoring and Evaluation: Continuously monitor the effectiveness of security controls and the overall security posture. Regular reporting and key performance indicators (KPIs) are essential.
3. Key Technology and Process Focus Areas for 2025
   • Cloud Security: As cloud adoption accelerates, securing cloud environments is paramount. Focus on cloud access security brokers (CASBs), cloud workload protection platforms (CWPPs), and strong identity and access management (IAM).
   • AI and Machine Learning: Leverage AI for threat detection, incident response, and vulnerability management. But also prepare for AI-powered attacks, as it is a reality right now.
   • Automation: Automate routine security tasks (e.g., vulnerability scanning, patching, log analysis) to improve efficiency and reduce human error. We are living in a fast and accelerated environment, with no time for manual processes that can be automated. Free up your energy from manual repetitive tasks, so you can raise your eyes above the smoke and see what really matters.
   • Data Protection: Implement robust data loss prevention (DLP) measures, encryption, and access controls to safeguard sensitive information. Proper data classification is key to deploy the right controls and the right balance.
   • Identity and Access Management (IAM): Strengthen IAM with (strong) multi-factor authentication (MFA), privileged access management (PAM), and identity governance. Zero Trust approaches and solutions are key elements that must be part of any organization's cybersecurity strategy.
   • Supply Chain Security: Assess and mitigate security risks associated with third-party vendors and suppliers. Carefully select your suppliers and don’t be afraid to only consider the ones that adopt a robust information security program. It may force you to dismiss the ones with best prices, but it will pay you dividends in the future, as an information security incident that starts at your suppliers may be harder to detect and will for sure cost more than what you would save with cheaper suppliers.
   • Cybersecurity Resilience: Develop and regularly test robust business continuity and disaster recovery plans to ensure the organization can withstand and recover from cyberattacks. While the specific solutions required (e.g., hot sites) will depend on business characteristics and recovery objectives (RTO/RPO), fundamental practices like reliable and tested backups are essential.
   • Security Awareness and Training: Address the human element, often the weakest link in cybersecurity. Phishing attacks, currently the most prevalent attack vector, are increasing in both number and sophistication. Continuous security awareness training, covering topics like phishing, social engineering, and other relevant threats, is crucial for fostering a strong security culture and is a critical component of any effective information security strategy.
4. Staying Ahead of Emerging Threats
   • Continuous Learning: Stay up to date with the latest cybersecurity trends, threats, and technologies through industry publications, conferences, and training.
   • Threat Intelligence: Utilize threat intelligence feeds and share information with industry peers to anticipate and prepare for emerging threats.
   • Adaptability: Build a flexible security strategy that can adapt to the rapidly changing threat landscape and business needs.

Conclusion

Developing a cybersecurity strategic plan for 2025 and beyond requires a holistic, proactive, and adaptable approach. By understanding your organization's specific needs, the threat landscape, and emerging technologies, you can build a resilient security posture that protects your business and enables its growth. Remember, cybersecurity is not a one-time project but an ongoing process that requires continuous improvement and vigilance.

By implementing these steps and focusing on the key areas, organizations of all sizes can build a strong and effective cybersecurity strategy that will serve them well in 2025 and beyond