The tech debt in Cybersecurity   

As organizations get more and more confused about the dissonance of cybersecurity messages across the industry, one echoes quite clearly: cybersecurity is essential and if not approached correctly it will create a tech debt like any flaws in the IT system.   

What causes the tech debt? How can it be avoided? What are the risks of not taking timely measures?  

Let’s start from the beginning. What is tech debt? The term explains the extra cost of repairing your IT system. This rework is caused by choosing a limited security solution, or none at all.    

Truth be told, very few local companies evaluate the risk of missing cybersecurity solutions. The investment in is often seen as an expense line, an unjustified cost. The difference between Bulgaria and the rest of Europe and the US is that such issues are discussed behind closed doors resulting in a major lack of information.   

At the bottom of every technical debt lies an illusion:   

Illusion that it won’t happen to you  

Illusion that you won’t pay the price later  

Illusion that there’s no ROI in cybersecurity  

This illusion is based on a substantial lack of knowledge. Security investments are equity, not a liability.   

Cybersecurity addresses any audience but solely the mature one tend to be ready to embrace the concept and understand the value of an investment.  Flaws must be acknowledged as part of the company’s tech journeys and valued according to objective criteria by creating transparency in the debt position. Every organization needs different resilient levels, and proper analyses to create an individual solution.   

Prevention of tech debt

How can tech debt be avoided? The best way is to realize that you can’t escape it. And it is also next to impossible to remove. Although, it provides you with a strong (but false) feeling of accomplishment and hacking the system in your favor. An ungrounded rumor is that the cost of eliminating a single attack is lower than the investment of a full-scale solution.   

Effective prevention of the tech debt lies on in-depth, realistic estimation of the cost of not implementing a cybersecurity solution. Another essential detail is to understand that security is affordable if rightfully adopted.   

To adequately approach the problem, it’s necessary to analyze your company’s needs, choose relevant technology, and specify their usage. This evaluation may show a fundamental gap that requires purchase and implementation of certain security solutions, but it may also result in an understanding that your system is stable, and no amendments are required.   

Nevertheless, if the company should invest in certain security tools, a central role plays the choice of a suitable partner. No one expects you to be aware of the subject’s complexity. That is a requirement for your partner. Choose wisely. A company with a deep understanding of that subject should be knowledgeable, flexible, and most of all ready to implement tailor-made solutions priced according to your demands and needs.   

Benefits with Big B

Cybersecurity is not a recommendation, it’s a necessity with various benefits depending on business specifics.   

Generally, the positive outcomes for any industry can be described as:  

• smaller and fewer system bugs  
• easier scalability   

• higher company valuation  
• predictable server costs  
• secure tech environment   

Last but least, security is a winning concept, no matter the context. In a word drilling deeper into technology, and preventing cyber crashes is fundamental. Justify this obligation on personal and company levels to create awareness and develop knowledge.   

Digitization has brought companies enormous capabilities due to modern technologies, unfortunately at a certain cost. Tech debts have left many businesses struggling to fulfill their company goals and take proper market shares within the estimated budget. The debt can be measured and managed through analysis conducting company needs. Organizations can regain control and refocus their technology resources on creating value for customers and the business with minimized tech flaws.  

  

Author: Telelink Business Services Marketing and Communication Department