What is cybersecurity watch?
Cybersecurity watch consists in monitoring, in real time, the emerging threats and vulnerabilities in the digital sphere in order to anticipate cyberattacks. It is a crucial activity for any company that wants to protect itself effectively against cybersecurity risks. With hacking techniques and computer attacks constantly evolving, organisations absolutely must keep themselves informed of the latest trends so as not to be caught off guard.
Definition of cybersecurity watch
Cybersecurity watch is a process of continuous monitoring of the threats, incidents and vulnerabilities that affect information systems. It makes it possible to identify new potential attacks (phishing, ransomware, data compromise, etc.) and to adjust security measures accordingly. It is an essential lever that allows companies to detect, anticipate and respond quickly to cyber threats.
Why is it essential for companies?
Cyberattacks never stop evolving, which increases the risks for companies of all sizes. Cybersecurity watch helps security leaders (CISOs) and DPOs to monitor new vulnerabilities and to put appropriate defence measures in place. By keeping up to date, a company can guard itself against costly incidents and protect its sensitive data. What is more, this watch helps to ensure compliance with regulations (GDPR, NIS 2, DORA), by informing the organisation of new directives or legal changes.
The main objectives of cybersecurity watch
Anticipating threats
Anticipating threats is one of the main reasons for putting effective cybersecurity watch in place. Thanks to reliable sources such as ANSSI, the CERTs and specialised platforms, it becomes possible to identify security flaws quickly (CVE, Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures) and to take preventive measures. This also includes detecting suspicious activity on the dark web, where stolen information or attack methods may be put up for sale.
Updating security strategies
Effective watch makes it possible to react to new trends in cybercrime by regularly updating the company’s security strategies. Organisations can thus reassess their security policies, adjust their action plans and put patches in place to protect themselves against the latest threats. Artificial intelligence tools play a key role in the rapid detection of anomalies and in the updating of security systems.
Compliance with regulations
Data protection regulations are constantly changing. Cybersecurity watch makes it possible to follow updates to the GDPR, NIS 2 or the ISO 27001 standard. By making sure that internal practices comply with the law, companies not only avoid penalties, they also strengthen the trust of their customers.
How to put effective cybersecurity watch in place?
Putting effective cybersecurity watch in place requires rigorous organisation, good knowledge of the tools and a clear division of responsibilities. The aim is to be able to collect, analyse and act on relevant information in real time in order to better anticipate cyber threats and strengthen the security of information systems. Here are the essential steps to follow to structure a watch suited to the needs of your company.
Identify reliable sources of information
Cybersecurity watch starts with selecting the right sources of information. There are many resources on the web, but it is essential to rely only on reliable and recognised sources in order to avoid disinformation or outdated data. Here are the main sources to favour:
- Government agencies: in France, ANSSI (the French National Agency for the Security of Information Systems) provides recommendations and security bulletins on emerging cyber threats. It is an essential source for French companies. In the United States, CISA (Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency) fulfils a similar role.
- CERTs (Computer Emergency Response Teams): these computer emergency teams, present in every country, regularly issue alerts on cyber threats, on the vulnerabilities discovered and on the patches to apply. CERT-FR is the French government centre that carries out this mission.
- Specialised blogs and technical publications: there are blogs run by cybersecurity experts who share their research on new attacks and vulnerabilities. Sites such as Krebs on Security or The Hacker News are references. In addition, technical platforms such as Exploit Database or Packet Storm provide detailed technical information on vulnerabilities and exploits.
- Community forums: forums specialising in cybersecurity such as Reddit (in particular the /r/netsec subforum), or private groups on platforms such as Mastodon, make it possible to exchange with security professionals and to discuss the latest threats or solutions. These forums are useful for getting a variety of points of view on specific problems.
- Professional social networks: platforms such as LinkedIn give you the possibility of following cybersecurity opinion leaders and staying informed of the latest trends. In addition, tools such as Twitter make it possible to receive information in real time from certain authorities or experts in the field.
Use the right watch tools
Once the sources of information have been identified, it is indispensable to rely on tools to automate the collection and management of this information. These tools make it possible to receive alerts in real time and to organise the data so that it is easier to analyse. Here are a few types of tools that are particularly useful for cybersecurity watch:
- Threat Intelligence tools: these automated platforms collect, analyse and disseminate information on cyber threats, often in real time. Solutions such as Recorded Future, FireEye or ThreatConnect offer centralised dashboards where you can view the threats that are relevant to your sector of activity. They also make it possible to identify trends and to follow malicious activity on the dark web.
- RSS feeds and newsletters: RSS feeds are a simple and effective way of receiving live updates on vulnerabilities and threats. By subscribing to feeds from organisations such as NIST (National Institute of Standards and Technology) or portals such as CVEDetails, you can follow new CVEs (Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures). This lets you receive structured information directly on your computer or phone.
- Personalised security alerts: platforms such as Google Alerts or alert services specialising in cybersecurity make it possible to define specific keywords (e.g. “new CVE vulnerability”, “ransomware”) and to be alerted as soon as related information is published on the web.
- Security information and event management tools (SIEM): these solutions make it possible to collect and correlate data from different sources (event logs, alerts, network data flows, etc.). Tools such as Splunk or IBM QRadar help to monitor security incidents in real time and to identify threats before they become critical.
- SaaS risk and compliance management solutions: these tools make it possible not only to manage risks continuously, but also to integrate cybersecurity watch into an overall approach to regulatory compliance management (GDPR, NIS 2, DORA). At Make IT Safe, this watch runs through Cyber Digest, which gathers the publications of CERT-FR, the CNIL and EUR-Lex and summarises what matters: CVEs and severity, affected products, recommended action.
Integrate watch into cybersecurity governance
Cybersecurity watch must be a central element of the company’s overall security strategy. For that, it is essential to integrate it into cybersecurity governance. This integration requires close coordination between the company’s various departments, in particular the IT department, executive management, the legal department and the people in charge of compliance (CISO, DPO). Here are a few ways to ensure this integration:
- Role of the CISO (Chief Information Security Officer): the CISO must oversee the set-up and running of cybersecurity watch. The CISO is responsible for defining the watch objectives, making sure the tools are used properly and coordinating the response to incidents with the various internal teams. Watch must be included in the plans for regular audits of the systems, and watch reports must be presented to management.
- Cross-department collaboration: it is essential that all teams are involved in the watch process. Business teams must understand the importance of cybersecurity and be informed of the watch findings so that they can adjust their practices. The legal department, for example, must be informed of regulatory changes that could affect compliance.
- Setting up a response process: cybersecurity watch must not be passive. Clear processes must be defined to react to the alerts and information collected. These processes include identifying who is responsible when a threat is detected, prioritising the actions to take and communicating with external partners if necessary. A well-defined process makes it possible to respond faster to incidents.
Best practices for proactive cybersecurity watch
Plan regular audits
Security audits make it possible to check regularly how effective the protection measures in place are. These audits can include the assessment of information systems, of network infrastructure and of internal processes, to make sure they are suited to current threats.
Train teams and raise their awareness
Another pillar of effective cybersecurity watch is the continuous training of teams. Even the best tools and the best practices are not enough if employees are not aware of cyber threats. Here are a few actions to put in place:
- Regular training sessions: organise sessions to present to teams the latest trends in cybercrime and the new techniques of phishing, ransomware, etc. These sessions are also an opportunity to recall the good practices to adopt every day, such as secure password management or the use of security tools.
- Attack simulations: setting up penetration tests or phishing simulations can help make teams aware of the reality of threats and assess their ability to react. It also makes it possible to identify weaknesses in internal security processes.
- Updating internal policies: cybersecurity watch also makes it possible to identify new practices or technologies that require internal policies to be updated. It is therefore important that teams are regularly informed of changes to security policies.
Rely on a network of partners
Companies can collaborate with specialised partners in order to enrich their watch. Whether it is with cybersecurity consultants, with suppliers of monitoring tools or with companies that specialise in risk management, these partners offer complementary skills and make better protection against cyberattacks possible.
The benefits of cybersecurity watch for companies
Reducing risks and costs
Active cybersecurity watch considerably reduces the risk of attacks, which makes it possible to avoid the costs associated with incidents, such as data loss or fines for non-compliance. By staying informed, the company also strengthens the resilience of its systems and improves its ability to respond in the event of a crisis.
Strengthening compliance
Following regulatory changes through watch allows organisations to remain compliant with the legislation in force. For example, regularly updating internal policies in line with the requirements of the GDPR or NIS 2 is essential to avoid financial penalties.
Improving responsiveness to cyberattacks
A company that actively monitors its environment is better prepared to respond quickly to incidents. Watch makes it possible to identify potential flaws before they are exploited and to adopt a proactive approach to cyber threats.
Cybersecurity watch: the mistakes to avoid
Not updating your sources of information
Effective watch relies on reliable and up-to-date information. Failing to renew your sources, or relying on outdated data, can lead to critical errors in risk management.
Ignoring security alerts
Failing to react to the alerts received through watch tools can expose the company to major attacks. It is crucial to put an action plan in place so that every alert is dealt with quickly.
Not involving all stakeholders
Cybersecurity is everyone’s business. It is essential to involve all teams, including those that do not specialise in IT, in the management of the watch and in the implementation of security measures.
Cybersecurity watch is an essential lever for anticipating threats and protecting a company effectively. It makes it possible to reduce risks, ensure regulatory compliance and improve responsiveness to incidents. Thanks to specialised tools and stronger collaboration, it is possible to put in place proactive watch that contributes to the security of all the information systems.
