Overcoming Cybersecurity Headwinds Part 1: Start With a Unified Approach

cyber risk management unified approach
Vanessa Jankowski
Written by Vanessa Jankowski
SVP & GM, Third Party Risk Management

In today's digital economy, every industry faces the challenge of doing more with less. Cybersecurity, a critical pillar of modern business operations, is no exception. Organizations are confronted with the need to secure their digital ecosystems while navigating budget constraints. As their supply chains expand, so do the risks—and the costs.

In this blog, we delve into the powerful strategy of centralizing cybersecurity efforts through an integrated approach to cyber risk management, as opposed to relying on a patchwork of isolated point products. And how this holistic approach enables you to reduce risk in your organization, and across your third-party ecosystem.

Economic Wisdom: A Single Pane of Glass for Cybersecurity Efficiency

Security leaders are experiencing top-down pressure to maximize the value of their current tools and resources. They are being asked to simplify and integrate their existing tool stack, including consolidating vendors wherever possible. And, they have unchanged expectations of keeping their organization safe from cyber threats that could jeopardize their company’s reputation and financial standing. Not only through their own networks, but also through their third parties.

In a world where every dollar matters, the allure of a comprehensive solution is undeniable. Centralization eliminates redundancy, reduces maintenance costs, and simplifies procurement. By maximizing your budget's impact through a unified solution, you ensure a proactive defense against cyber threats without compromising financial prudence.

Rather than managing this disparate array of point products, imagine the simplicity and efficiency of a single provider that seamlessly and continuously measures your security posture and that of your vendors—so you can measure the baseline and set the bar for performance. This approach translates into immediate savings by reducing the complexities associated with maintaining multiple tools, and brings consistency to decision-making in order to move smarter, faster, and more confidently.

However, many organizations still work across multiple business applications from different providers for everything from vendor risk assessments to cyber risk quantification or continuous monitoring. This translates into multiple contracts, uneven pricing, and repetitive efforts trying to connect the dots.

Introducing an integrated approach to cyber risk management

To navigate cyber risk uncertainty and economic constraints, Bitsight sets organizations up for long term viability with an integrated cyber risk management solution that delivers unparalleled data and insights into risk, performance, and exposure. Whether it’s your own organization or the third-parties you do business with, you can address risk across your entire extended attack surface, helping you do more with less to protect your business and enable growth.

Hear how the Chief Information Security Officer of The Howard Hughes Corporation is leveraging Bitsight’s unified solution to tackle third-party cyber risk.

Watch the full webinar on demand here.

For example, when vetting third-party vendors, imagine having a dynamic assessment tool that not only measures the baseline but also validates vendor responses with objective data and continually tracks performance. This empowers organizations to save time that would otherwise be spent on manual assessments.

With Bitsight, integrated cyber risk management means end-to-end solutions to effectively manage and communicate risk—both within your company and across your third-party ecosystem, including key capabilities:

Let’s look at the three main benefits of Bitsight’s approach to integrated, consolidated cyber risk management solutions:

1. Consistent and connected data points

Data is the cornerstone of informed decision-making. By consolidating data points and insights across Third-Party Risk Management (TPRM) and Security Performance Management (SPM) for your own organization, you ensure consistency in the information you analyze. No longer do you need to juggle disparate sources of data that might provide conflicting insights. Instead, you have a harmonized repository where vendor risk assessments, security ratings, vulnerability detection and response efforts, exposure management, and performance metrics are integrated seamlessly.

The power of consistency lies in its ability to enable accurate comparisons and comprehensive evaluations. When evaluating vendor risks or gauging your organization's security performance, having a cohesive dataset ensures that you're working with a complete picture. Inconsistencies and blind spots are minimized, leading to better-informed decisions and more effective risk mitigation strategies.

2. Single Source of Support

Navigating the complexities of cybersecurity can often feel like a maze. With multiple point products, you're not just managing security threats but also wrangling with different providers for support and assistance. This fragmented approach can lead to inefficiencies, miscommunications, and delayed responses when issues arise.

By adopting a unified cyber risk management solution, you gain the advantage of a single source of support. You're not dealing with a patchwork of providers; instead, you have a dedicated team that understands the intricacies of your program. This streamlines your troubleshooting process, expedites issue resolution, and ensures a consistent quality of service. From addressing technical glitches to seeking guidance on cybersecurity best practices, having a single point of contact simplifies your experience and maximizes the effectiveness of your security strategy.

3. Procurement Ease

Sourcing, evaluating, acquiring, and managing various point products can be a logistical challenge. Each product might come with its own procurement process, pricing negotiations, contracts, and renewals. This not only consumes valuable time and resources but can also lead to inconsistencies in vendor relationships and costs.

Embracing a unified solution like Bitsight streamlines the procurement process. Rather than dealing with multiple vendors, negotiations, and contracts, you have a consolidated agreement that covers a wide spectrum of cyber risk management capabilities. This not only saves time but also provides leverage in negotiations, potentially yielding cost savings. Additionally, the simplicity of dealing with a single vendor relationship enhances transparency and fosters a collaborative partnership.

Future-Proofing Your Program with Bitsight’s Integrated Cyber Risk Management Solutions

As technology continues its rapid evolution, future-proofing your cybersecurity strategy is paramount. Centralizing your efforts not only addresses immediate concerns but positions your organization for the challenges that lie ahead. By embracing the unified approach, you invest in adaptability, scalability, and resilience—essential qualities in a dynamic digital landscape.

The benefits of a unified approach extend beyond cybersecurity into operational efficiency. Consistent and connected data points ensure accuracy, a single source of support simplifies issue resolution, and procurement ease leads to cost-effective solutions.

With immediate value delivered on day one, Bitsight’s comprehensive solutions connect every aspect of a third-party risk management and security performance management program to enable growth and strengthen cybersecurity when the stakes are at their highest.

New Webinar

Hear how current customers like Howard Hughes are leveraging Bitsight's Third-Party Risk Management solution to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of their program by:

  • Expediting third-party risk assessments to empower business growth
  • Improving third-party risk performance and communicating progress
  • Managing critical exposure to their third-party attack surface - especially during zero day events