Understanding data’s value and risk

The numbers around cybersecurity are alarming. One study found that four test computers with weak security were attacked every 39 seconds, on average 2,244 times a day and, overall, data breaches exposed 4.1 billion records in the first half of 2019. With Gartner predicting that worldwide spending on cybersecurity will reach more than $130 billion in 2022, companies are investing a lot of resources and energy into protecting their assets.

At the same time, companies are focusing on data and using that data to grow their business. They look at companies like Uber who use data to move their business forward and they want the same opportunities. But creating the data pools required to make business decisions almost creates more incentive for hackers to attack. https://www.youtube.com/embed/-ilaGUNLhds?feature=oembed&enablejsapi=1&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.capgemini.com

Cybersecurity should not be only an IT topic. It needs to be a company-wide strategy and include the CEO and Board of Directors to be effective. And with laws such as GDPR and CCPA being passed, companies have an additional incentive to make protecting their data a priority.

With the exponential increase in data collection, a solid foundation of data privacy, trust, and ethics is required at every company. You need these fundamentals in place to support your cybersecurity efforts.

Technology companies are making cybersecurity a priority and designing products to be more secure. It is about creating a security framework that makes companies virtually hacker-proof. If the users cannot be hacked, then the data is safe.

Developing more secure devices and solutions means technology companies are also finding ways to monetize cybersecurity. With every company searching for cybersecurity answers, this is an opportunity for growth. This is why Capgemini acquired Leidos Cyber, one of the best cyber teams in the market in 2018, to strengthen our cybersecurity journey with our clients and partners.

But it is an ongoing battle. Cybersecurity attacks continue to get more sophisticated and damaging. And it is no longer just a local battle. The attacks are a global problem for companies. Hackers know no bounds.

Moving to the cloud offers many benefits but hackers are attracted to that information. Data in the cloud must be protected by constant mobilization.

Data strategies are the right move – using data to make business decisions and power digital technologies such as artificial intelligence and machine learning will lead to success – but the data strategy needs to recognize the importance of information and the need to protect it. Customers want to work with companies they can trust with their data.

Jean-Claude Viollier is the Executive Vice President, North American High Tech Unit Lead, at Capgemini. He excels at helping clients think differently and take a more humanistic view of technology.
He can be reached at jean-claude.viollier@capgemini.com.

Jean-Claude Viollier

Expert in Cloud Services (global), Digital Operations

I help Capgemini clients to drive their Digital and Cloud Transformation projects across UK, North America and Asia-Pacific. I also help them to design/execute ambitious Digital Transformation Programs in sectors like Banking, Insurance, EUC, High Tech, Manufacturing and Consumer Products sectors. I am also advising my clients on their best innovative Partner Ecosystem. And finally, I help them deliver ambitious Innovative Programs around Social, Mobile, Analytics and Cloud.