With the development of technology in the workplace, safety professionals are increasingly responsible for safeguarding not only the physical well-being of employees but also the sensitive data collected through safety programs. This information, which includes everything from health records to incident reports, is valuable and often targeted by cybercriminals. As technology becomes more embedded in safety practices, the need for strong cybersecurity measures is crucial.
The NIST Cybersecurity Framework is designed to help organizations of all sizes and industries manage and reduce cybersecurity risks. For safety professionals, the framework offers clear, actionable steps that can be implemented in conjunction with their companies’ policies. Its 6 Core Functions – Govern, Identify, Protect, Detect, Respond, and Recover, are further broken down into categories and subcategories to organize cybersecurity efforts at their highest level. These functions provide a structured approach that safety professionals can use to understand and manage the risks associated with the sensitive data they handle. By following the CSF, safety leaders can ensure that their cybersecurity practices are aligned with industry standards, making it easier to integrate security measures into their existing safety protocols. The framework also offers flexibility, allowing organizations to tailor the implementation to their specific needs and risk profiles. This adaptability ensures that even as threats evolve, safety professionals can continuously improve their defenses, making the CSF a practical and reliable set of guidelines for protecting valuable safety data.
The CIS Controls provide a practical set of actions that safety professionals can implement to strengthen their cybersecurity defenses. Designed to address the most common and significant threats, these 18 controls help safety teams focus on what matters most. For example, the controls emphasize the need to maintain an up-to-date inventory of hardware and software assets, ensuring that only authorized devices are connected to the network. They also guide the secure configuration of systems, the management of administrative privileges, and the implementation of continuous monitoring through audit logs. Each control offers specific, actionable steps that can be directly applied to protect sensitive data collected through safety programs. By following the CIS Controls, safety leaders can create a more secure environment, reducing the risk of data breaches. These controls are regularly updated to reflect the latest cybersecurity threats, ensuring that safety professionals stay equipped with effective strategies.
In conclusion, as safety professionals continue to collect and manage sensitive data, it’s essential to adopt cybersecurity best practices. The NIST Cybersecurity Framework offers a strategic approach that is applicable to a business of any size or industry, while the CIS Controls provide straightforward, practical steps you can take to protect your data. By incorporating these tools into your safety programs, you can better safeguard the valuable information you handle, ensuring the security of both your employees and your organization.
References
National Institute of Standards and Technology. Cybersecurity Framework. U.S. Department of Commerce. https://www.nist.gov/cyberframework
Center for Internet Security. CIS Critical Security Controls. https://www.cisecurity.org/controls