How to write a cybersecurity strategy

According to research by Forbes Magazine, 57% of small business owners don’t think they’re at risk of being targeted by cyber attackers. But, as found by Verizon, small businesses represent 43% of all data breaches. But the good news is that an increasing number of small businesses are putting cybersecurity strategies in place, with 59% of small businesses in the last 12 months stating that they have a formal cybersecurity policy covering cybersecurity risks.

It’s easier than you think to get the right measures in place. A cybersecurity strategy acts as the overarching framework to keep your business safe from malware, ransomware, phishing and other malicious attacks – and that strategy might include other critical policies like Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) and Business Continuity Plan (BCP). So, with that in mind, here’s how to write a cybersecurity strategy.

What is a cybersecurity strategy?

A cybersecurity strategy is a comprehensive, documented plan that outlines how your business will protect itself from cyber attacks. It goes beyond individual security tools or policies to create an overarching approach to cybersecurity.

The cybersecurity landscape is ever evolving, which means that new risks are emerging all the time. Your strategy, then, shouldn’t be set in stone. Rather, it should be a document that evolves with your business, helping you to stay protected even as you add new systems, employees and tools.

Why your SME needs a cybersecurity strategy

It’s crucial for SMEs to have a robust cybersecurity strategy for several reasons, including:

• Data protection: If your organisation handles sensitive personal data or financial records, you’re required to store that information securely.

• Financial protection: Ensuring you have a robust strategy in place can keep both your business and your revenue protected.

• Reputational protection: News of a cyber attack or data breach can spread quickly, so having a plan in place can help you get ahead.

• Compliance requirements: Regulatory requirements are becoming increasingly strict across industries. A comprehensive strategy keeps you compliant and helps to avoid costly penalties.

Moving from a reactive to proactive approach to security can only be a good thing. Instead of scrambling to respond after an incident takes place, a strategy that’s well thought out and comprehensive allows you to anticipate threats, implement proactive measures, and respond quickly if an issue does arise.

What are the components of a cybersecurity strategy?

Your cybersecurity strategy should include a risk assessment, an overview of your tools and software, employee training, a data protection policy, an incident response plan, a business continuity plan (BCP) and regular updates and maintenance.

Let’s take a look at each of those in more detail.

1. Risk assessment

This identifies what the potential threats are, any areas of vulnerability within your current systems and setup, and what your most valuable assets are.

2. Tools and software

Tools and software are important for helping to keep your data, systems, people and places safe. This could include endpoint protection, firewalls, email security, backup solutions and monitoring solutions.

3. Employee training

Your staff could be the weak link in your security strategy. It was found that in 2024, human error contributed to 95% of data breaches, driven by insider threats, misuse of credentials and user errors.

4. Data protection

Your cybersecurity strategy should include a data protection element, including both preventative and protective measures for sensitive information.

5. Incident response and recovery planning

Incident response ensures you know how to effectively handle security breaches. With a well-defined incident response plan, you can minimise damage through rapid detection, containment and recovery.

6. Business continuity plan

A BCP ensures your business can maintain critical operations both during and after a cybersecurity incident. While incident response focuses on handling security breaches when they happen, a BCP is focused on ensuring your business can keep going even in the face of an attack.

7. Regular updates and maintenance

Just as your business grows and evolves over time, so should your systems. Ensure you’re committed to regular software updates, security system updates, policy reviews and strategy refinements.

How to create a cybersecurity strategy?

Firstly, assess your current cybersecurity landscape to understand what you’re working with. What are you protecting, and how is it currently secured? Conducting an inventory of your digital assets (including hardware, software, data and network components) can be useful to help you get the lay of the land.

If you have any existing policies, procedures or staff training in place, don’t just assume that these are already great – they should also be reviewed to ensure they’re doing what they should to protect you.

Then, you should analyse the biggest threats to your business. Remember that not all businesses face the same threats, so it’s important to consider your own risk environment.

Then, you should transform this into your cybersecurity strategy. Start by prioritising the highest risk areas as identified in your audit and develop policies and procedures to address each risk.

Your strategy should be clear and easy to communicate and implement. It’s a good idea to roll it out in phases, starting with critical security controls and quick wins that can immediately reduce risk, followed by longer-term and lower-priority actions. Establish regular review cycles to assess strategy effectiveness and make necessary adjustments.

Download your cybersecurity strategy checklist

Ready to get started? Download our cybersecurity strategy checklist to develop a robust cybersecurity strategy tailored to your business’ needs. And if you want more help strengthening your cyber strategy, our V-Hub Digital Advisers are here to help.