In today’s increasingly digital world, cybersecurity is a constant concern for organizations of all sizes., I’ve recently been delving into the topic of cybersecurity, particularly data protection, and it’s clear that the threats we face are more sophisticated and pervasive than ever before. Cyber attacks are no longer just a matter of inconvenience—they are a growing existential threat to organizations worldwide. The statistics are alarming: in 2023, the average cost of data loss reached a staggering $2.6 million. The ripple effects of these attacks, such as damage to reputation and mission failure, are equally devastating.
Given this reality, it’s no longer enough for organizations to focus solely on prevention. While robust cybersecurity measures are crucial, the question we must now ask ourselves is: What happens when the inevitable breach occurs? Can our organizations recover? And even if they can, how confident are we in the integrity of the data we recover? These are not just technical questions; they are existential ones that get to the heart of an organization’s ability to survive and thrive in a hostile digital landscape.
Recently, I had the opportunity to sit down with Erin Logue Smith from Dell’s Global Technology Office, part of their Data Protection Solutions Group. Our conversation centered around the critical concept of cyber resilience—what it means, why it matters, and how organizations, particularly within the federal government, can build a robust cyber resilience posture.
When discussing cyber resilience, Erin highlighted a significant paradigm shift within the industry. Traditionally, organizations have focused on cybersecurity—implementing measures to keep intruders out and protect sensitive data. However, the reality is that cyber resilience is becoming just as important as cybersecurity. While cybersecurity is about prevention, cyber resilience is about recovery.
We must “embrace the idea of the breach.” In other words, we need to accept that, sooner or later, a cyber attack will penetrate our defenses. It’s not a question of if, but when. This acceptance requires a holistic approach to cyber resilience, one that involves not just technology but also policies, procedures, and a well-defined incident response plan. Disaster recovery used to be about preparing for natural disasters like fires, floods, and hurricanes. Now, it’s about preparing for cyber attacks. And that means building a strong cyber resilience posture that complements our existing security measures.
For the Federal Government, the concept of cyber resilience must be deeply intertwined with the standards set by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). Anyone working in cybersecurity typically adheres to a specific framework to guide their policies, procedures, and technological deployments. For us at Wildflower, NIST standards provide a foundational framework for building a resilient cyber ecosystem.
But what does this look like in practice? Our approach to cyber resilience involves creating a Zero Trust environment upfront, ensuring that every interaction is authenticated and verified. On the back end, the focus is on data protection, with the implementation of air-gapped, isolated, and immutable copies of critical data. These “gold copies” are kept separate from backup and production environments, ensuring that in the event of an attack, the organization can quickly and confidently restore its data.
These measure are particularly important for federal customers, who face unique challenges and stringent regulations. For these clients, having immutable and isolated data copies is not just a recommendation—it’s a necessity.
So, what does it take for federal organizations to build a holistic cyber resilience posture? According to Erin, the key lies in understanding the specific challenges faced by federal agencies. These organizations operate under strict regulations and are often targeted by nation-state actors, making their cybersecurity needs more complex.
Wildflower and our partners have been working with defense contractors and government agencies around the world for years, giving them deep expertise in this area. One of the advanced technologies Dell Technologies employs is the use of “data diodes,” which create one-way communication channels to protect sensitive data from infiltration. These hardware-based solutions allow data to be exfiltrated from a secure vault to a backup environment but prevent any unauthorized access into the vault.
This level of sophistication is crucial for federal clients who need to comply with rigorous standards and protect against the most advanced threats. Our integration with other vendors who specialize in government security further enhances their ability to meet these unique needs.
Federal organizations face some of the most daunting cyber challenges, particularly when it comes to compliance with government regulations. As Erin noted, these organizations are not only dealing with cybersecurity from an operational standpoint but are also subject to audits and other oversight mechanisms that require them to meet high standards of protection.
One example is Dell’s work with Sheltered Harbor, a framework developed in response to the Sony Pictures hack in 2015. Sheltered Harbor provides guidelines to ensure that financial institutions, including federal credit unions, can recover from a cyber attack without jeopardizing the broader financial system. Dell’s Cyber Recovery Vault is the only solution that is fully aligned with Sheltered Harbor, making it an ideal choice for organizations that need to meet these stringent requirements.
Many companies are doing great work in this space, and Dell’s solutions consistently meet the highest standards required by federal agencies. One of the most compelling aspects of our offering is Dell’s Cyber Recovery Vault, an offline, air-gapped solution designed specifically for government clients. This vault is housed in a secure, locked cage, completely isolated from the production environment, and not reliant on cloud infrastructure. This level of protection is critical for defending against state-sponsored attacks and other sophisticated threats.
One thing to note are the recent cybersecurity requirements published by the SEC in September. While these requirements primarily apply to publicly traded companies, they signal a broader trend that federal organizations cannot afford to ignore. The SEC now requires organizations to report material breaches within four days, a requirement that will likely influence how other sectors, including federal agencies, handle cybersecurity.
Bolstering cybersecurity and cyber resilience is not just about meeting today’s requirements—it’s about preparing for the future. As government oversight increases and cyber threats continue to evolve, organizations that fail to build robust, resilient infrastructures will find themselves at a significant disadvantage.
In today’s federal world, the question is not whether your organization will face a cyber attack, but when. The key to survival lies in building a cyber resilience posture that allows you to recover quickly and with confidence. Federal organizations, in particular, face unique challenges that require advanced solutions like Dell’s Cyber Recovery Vault and data diode technology. By embracing these solutions and focusing on both prevention and recovery, organizations can ensure they are prepared for whatever the future holds.
Cyber resilience is no longer just a concept—it’s a necessity. And as the digital landscape continues to evolve, those who invest in these cutting-edge technologies and strategies will be the ones who thrive.
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