Build Your Cybersecurity Program

By John Bandler

Every organization needs a cybersecurity program, and that means you need to first build it, and then keep improving it.

Many organizations have not started building their own cybersecurity program, and many of the terms and components of a cybersecurity program are unfamiliar to them. This article gets you started.

As I mention in another article, a cybersecurity program essentially means the organization is actively managing cybersecurity issues and their information assets. It protects against cybercrime and might be legally required. A cybersecurity program has many components, and we often start with a policy that works, is consulted and followed, plus the other parts of the program which will be specified within a good policy document.

As I work on an organization's cybersecurity, I focus on three main goals (1) protect from cybercrime, (2) comply with legal requirements, (3) improve efficiency and improve the management of information systems.

The priority basics for a cybersecurity program for almost every organization starts with these next principles. (See the linked articles for more details if needed).

  • Build (or improve) your cybersecurity program.
  • Manage your organization, and all aspects of it, including information systems and cybersecurity. Never assert that a third-party vendor "handles" your cybersecurity. You should manage all aspects of cybersecurity and information governance, including your vendors.
  • Manage your information systems well, with good "information governance". https://johnbandler.com/information-governance/
  • This includes managing and securing all of your information assets. https://johnbandler.com/information-asset/
  • Eventually this means an inventory of those assets, on a prioritized basis, to increasing levels of detail. https://johnbandler.com/information-asset-inventory/
  • Most organizations need a cybersecurity policy, meaning a written internal rule of that organization (cyber insurance is a separate issue).
  • I have a free cybersecurity policy on my website that certain organizations can use (subject to terms). https://johnbandler.com/cybersecurity-policy-free-version/
  • For small organizations with low risks, I can customize that free policy to the organization, with an efficient service package. We can get you from zero to reasonably reasonable in a short period of time.
  • For larger organizations I have a fuller template that I work off, and fuller packages.
  • A cybersecurity policy document (internal organization rule) is important, but must be actually followed.
  • Good cybersecurity can prevent a cybercrime, which could be devastating and costly. Learn about the Three Priority Cybercrime Threats so you can spot them and prevent them with good cybersecurity. https://johnbandler.com/priority-cybercrime-threats/
  • Learn key cybersecurity terms so you know what they mean and can have a solid conversation with an information security or information technology professional. https://johnbandler.com/key-terms-definitions/

The overarching motivation should be continual improvement. Good organizations work to continually improve their cybersecurity, their management of information systems, and all other areas of management and operations.

Magic cybersecurity shortcuts?

There are no magic cybersecurity shortcuts.

No matter what product or service you buy, no matter which consultant or attorney you hire, there is no magic solution. It takes time and effort to do properly. If you hire an expert to help you, resolve to put in solid time to work with that expert to create or improve your organization's cybersecurity program.

Additional links

This page is hosted at https://johnbandler.com/build-your-cybersecurity-program. Copyright John Bandler, all rights reserved.

This page is a key terms definition article.

Page posted 2/26/2025. Updated 2/26/2025