Reasons why cybersecurity has never been more important

How to deal with cybersecurity concerns?

It is simply impossible to escape it: we are facing a new digital world. Developments in recent years have clearly demonstrated the need to retain awareness of this changing world and its consequences. The arrival of digitalization has opened our eyes and minds, due to the ease of data gathering and its colossal distribution throughout our digital world. Are we able to keep track of all digital developments, or do they pass us by?

At the same time, digitalization became a threat to the protection of sensitive information and made our society vulnerable in many ways. Digitalization runs the risk of cybercrime, where every business could become a victim of a data breach for example. Many incidents have occurred around the world, many with major consequences for businesses and customers. Online data contains a large amount of privacy sensitive information, where data breach involves massive risk factors. Consequently, attention for cybersecurity can provide a serious and significant contribution to your business by avoiding potential risks.

Despite this, due to unforeseen circumstances, your business may be vulnerable and at risk of being hacked for example. Personal and privacy sensitive data are in many cases compromised as a result of incidents. In crises like this, it is extremely important to act fast and efficiently. Crisis communication is more than ‘just an option’. In terms of an effective crisis communication strategy for managing crises, communication is fundamental to maintain your business’s reputation.

Does a standard solution exist?

Either way, it would be desirable to prevent cyber attacks by guaranteeing strong protection for your business. Effective cybersecurity allows you to be well-protected against cyberattacks and threats of the digital world. It is unnecessary to emphasize that protection is not always sufficient. However, the crucial point is being aware that a lack of a strong crisis communication strategy is potentially ruinous.
To answer the above question, whether you prefer to hear it or not, a standard solution does not exist for every crisis. The extent and significance of a crisis are hard to predict, which makes it impossible to implement a crisis communication strategy generically.

Obviously, certain elements are indispensable in crisis communication and its strategy. Crisis communication hardly differs from other forms of communication, except that it has to be carried out at high speed and with extreme precision. For exactly this reason, preparedness is most essential to be ready before, during, and after the crisis. In other words, good preparation is essential and therefore the main line of crisis communication.

The key to crisis communication

In terms of cybersecurity, the prevention of cyberattacks sustains the desired situation. However, avoidance of crises is not continuously imaginable, which is simultaneously an important reason to prepare for potential major future risks for your business. So, the first key to crisis communication is being well-prepared by having a strong crisis communication strategy. This is indispensable, especially while speaking of rescuing your business and its reputation.
However, crises are characterized as unidirectional, as there is no possibility to return. This creates a huge risk of losing control over the situation, which is obviously disastrous for your business. Once happened, it is essential to retake control over the situation to preserve your company’s reputation and reduce negative affect. During crises, therefore, efficient and strong communication is significant, just as much to act quickly and decisively. Although certain strategies are known, customization of a respectable strategy is essential.
The next key to crisis communication is (re)acting, where clear and efficient communication into the outside world is crucial. Acting quickly with extreme precision is required to contain the situation and retake control. The final key to crisis communication is to repair the situation, where consequences can be minimalized due to the extent of good preparation.

This article aims to raise your awareness about the first and most important key of crisis communication: preparation. On the other hand, it is also important to be conscious of the potential risks and major consequents of cybercrime. Due to the really fast developments, it is recommended to reflect on all digital developments of this time. It is valuable to be aware that the main line of crisis communication is to be properly prepared, where the communication structures and commitments are specified and determined. Therefore, good preparation includes identifying current issues and monitoring potential crises. In other words, being prepared through having a communication strategy ready, contributes to preventing crises and therefore to keep them under control. We can support your company as a strategic partner and developer for crisis communication plans, training programs, and media preparedness. Our members use their expertise to help clients get ahead. Want to know more about this topic or our expertise? Please do not hesitate to contact our members, who are more than willing to share their experiences.

The author Sandra Woudsma is working as a consultant at the Dutch CCNE partner Van Hulzen Communicatie.