Cybersecurity for Non-Technologists

1. Introduction

Cybersecurity is no longer "IT only" and is now a strategic priority for the entire organization. Senior management must understand risks and lead protection, even if it is not technical.

2. The current landscape: cybercrime is business.

Cybercrime has become professionalized: it operates as a global industry with supply chains, affiliates and support, offering accessible tools to attack companies.

• Malware and "as-a-service" access available to anyone
• Medium-sized companies: frequent target due to data value and limited defenses

3. The attack surface in the middle market

Digitization exponentially expanded the vulnerabilities: hybrid work, cloud, mobile, legacy systems and multiple tools that do not always integrate.

• Lack of inventory/visibility of critical assets and accesses
• Silo gaps, weak configurations and Shadow IT

4. The real cost of cyber-attacks

The impact ranges from economic to reputational and operational; with new requirements, penalties for non-compliance can compromise viability.

• Direct and indirect costs (reclamation, penalties, shutdowns)
• Loss of customer, partner and market confidence
• Stopping of operations: invoicing, sales, logistics

5. Main threats: what is at stake?

• Ransomware: data seizure and operation
• Phishing: mail/message/call scams
• Exploits and vulnerabilities: software failures
• Theft of credentials: common entrance door
• Internal threats: human error or malicious intent

6. Regulation and new obligations

Requirements are tightening in Europe (NIS2, CRA), the United States (SEC) and Mexico (legal initiatives and guidelines); non-compliance entails fines, loss of certifications and legal risk.

7. From Reaction to Prevention: Organizational Culture

Digital resilience requires leadership from top management, KPIs and coordination between areas. Security must be integrated into day-to-day business and executive dashboards.

• Clear governance and executive accountability
• Continuous training and simulations
• Talent management and gap closure

8. Practical strategies without technicalities

• Corporate governance: cyber risk in KPIs and committees
• Reference frames: NIST and Zero Trust as guides
• Periodic evaluation: annual diagnostics and testing
• Automation: alerts and response to minimize damage
• Total training: campaigns and simulations
• Executive responsible: leadership on a budget
• Integration: solutions that work in orchestration (avoid silos)

9. Self-diagnosis: checklist for leaders

Key questions to estimate your security maturity:

• How much does your company invest in cybersecurity per year?
• Do you have identified the most critical and vulnerable assets and data?
• Is there a cybersecurity person/committee with executive voice?
• Have you experienced any incidents in the last year and how did you respond?
• Is safety in your key reports and KPIs?
• Do you perform internal simulations or tests (network teaming)?
• Do you receive regular and clear reports on risks?
• Is your team able to act before/during/after?
• Is prevention predominant or do they only react to incidents?

Why Scanda Group? Our experience

• Multi-sector experience: finance, healthcare, retail, education, logistics
• End-to-end services: diagnosis, plan, execution, testing
• Preventive culture: committees, simulations, training
• Integral vision: technology + business + people
• Cases and acknowledgments: reference in forums and satisfied customers

11. Conclusions

Cybersecurity is no longer a technical function: it is a business and leadership priority. Acting today determines resilience to the next challenge.