Cyber Security Readiness Checklist: Essential Business Guide

A comprehensive cyber security readiness checklist is essential for businesses of all sizes in today’s threat landscape. With cyber attacks becoming increasingly sophisticated and prevalent, organizations must systematically evaluate their security posture to identify and address vulnerabilities before they can be exploited. At Velocity Solutions, we’ve developed this actionable cyber security readiness checklist based on industry best practices and our extensive experience helping businesses strengthen their security foundations.

This checklist is designed to guide your organization through the critical components of a robust security program. By working through each section methodically, you’ll be better positioned to protect sensitive data, maintain business continuity, and meet compliance requirements. Remember that cyber security is not a one-time project but an ongoing process that requires regular reassessment and adjustment as your business and the threat landscape evolve.

Governance and Leadership Foundations

Executive Oversight and Accountability

  • Designate a dedicated cyber security leadership role (CISO or equivalent)
  • Establish clear security responsibilities for all leadership positions
  • Implement a privacy management program with designated leadership
  • Create an operational technology (OT) security leadership position (if applicable)
  • Schedule regular IT/OT security collaboration meetings
  • Document security roles, responsibilities, and reporting structures

Supply Chain Risk Management

  • Require vendor security incident notification requirements in contracts
  • Include cyber security requirements in procurement processes
  • Evaluate security posture of key vendors and suppliers
  • Implement policy to prefer more secure vendors when making purchasing decisions
  • Document third-party access requirements and restrictions
  • Create a supply chain compromise response procedure

Strategic Security Planning

  • Develop a formal security strategy aligned with business objectives
  • Establish security budgeting process with executive oversight
  • Create a risk-based approach to security investments
  • Implement a roadmap for security capability development
  • Document security key performance indicators (KPIs)
  • Align security strategy with regulatory compliance requirements

Asset Identification and Management

Asset Inventory and Network Mapping

  • Maintain comprehensive inventory of all IT assets (including IPv6)
  • Document OT assets and industrial control systems
  • Map network topology for both IT and OT environments
  • Identify and classify sensitive data repositories
  • Implement automated asset discovery process
  • Maintain documentation of current device configurations
  • Regularly update asset inventory (at least quarterly)

Vulnerability Management

  • Establish a formal vulnerability management program
  • Implement regular penetration testing (at least annually)
  • Conduct automated vulnerability scanning
  • Patch internet-facing systems within defined timeframes
  • Document compensating controls for unpatchable systems
  • Prioritize vulnerabilities based on risk and exposure
  • Track remediation progress with defined metrics

External Testing and Validation

  • Conduct annual third-party security assessments
  • Test incident response capabilities through simulations
  • Perform table-top exercises for critical scenarios
  • Validate security control effectiveness
  • Implement findings from previous assessments
  • Document and track all security assessment findings
  • Deploy security.txt files on all public web domains

Security Protection Measures

Identity and Access Management

  • [Change all default manufacturer passwords
  • Implement minimum 15-character password policy
  • Establish passphrase usage guidelines
  • Use unique credentials across different systems
  • Implement formal process for revoking access for departing employees
  • Separate user and administrative accounts
  • Deploy multi-factor authentication for all access points
  • Prioritize phishing-resistant MFA methods

Network Security

  • Implement network segmentation between IT and OT
  • Ensure proper firewall configuration at network boundaries
  • Establish jump servers/proxies for cross-network access
  • Monitor all connections between networks
  • Log and alert on unauthorized connection attempts
  • Restrict OT connectivity to public internet
  • Disable unnecessary services on internet-facing systems
  • Document all required external access points

Data Protection

  • Implement encryption for data in transit
  • Secure sensitive data at rest with encryption
  • Establish secure credential storage system
  • Configure email security (DMARC, SPF, DKIM)
  • Disable macros by default across the organization
  • Implement controls for removable media
  • Establish secure file transfer mechanisms
  • Create formal data classification policy

System Security

  • Create hardware/software approval process
  • Implement secure backup systems with regular testing
  • Establish backup redundancy and offsite storage
  • Create separate, secure administrator workstations
  • Regularly document critical system configurations
  • Disable unnecessary services and protocols
  • Implement secure configuration standards
  • Establish change management procedures

Detection and Monitoring

Log Management

  • Collect security-relevant logs from all critical systems
  • Implement centralized log storage and management
  • Establish log retention periods based on policy
  • Protect logs from unauthorized access or modification
  • Configure alerts for critical log sources being disabled
  • Monitor OT network traffic and communications
  • Establish log review procedures and responsibilities
  • Document logging gaps and compensating controls

Threat Detection

  • Document relevant threats and attack vectors
  • Implement detection capabilities for critical threats
  • Deploy intrusion detection/prevention systems
  • Monitor for unauthorized login attempts
  • Configure alerts for suspicious account activity
  • Deploy network traffic analysis tools
  • Implement endpoint detection and response
  • Establish 24/7 monitoring capabilities or services

Incident Response and Recovery

Incident Response Planning

  • Develop comprehensive incident response plan
  • Document roles and responsibilities during incidents
  • Establish communication protocols for incidents
  • Create incident classification framework
  • Document external reporting requirements
  • Test incident response plan annually
  • Update plan based on lessons learned
  • Create playbooks for common incident scenarios

Recovery Capabilities

  • Develop business continuity and disaster recovery plans
  • Identify recovery time objectives for critical systems
  • Document recovery procedures for key assets
  • Test recovery processes at least annually
  • Establish post-incident review process
  • Document lessons learned from incidents
  • Update recovery plans based on tests and actual incidents
  • Maintain offline copies of recovery documentation

Security Awareness and Training

Employee Training

  • Implement security awareness training for all staff
  • Conduct specialized OT security training where applicable
  • Provide role-specific security training
  • Conduct regular phishing simulations
  • Train staff on incident reporting procedures
  • Educate employees on data handling requirements
  • Document training completion and effectiveness
  • Update training content based on emerging threats

Assessing Your Cyber Security Readiness

After completing this cyber security readiness checklist, assess your organization’s overall security posture by examining the percentage of items implemented in each section. Areas with lower implementation rates should be prioritized for improvement. We recommend revisiting this checklist at least annually, or whenever significant changes occur in your business operations, technology infrastructure, or the threat landscape.

Remember that cyber security is not a “set and forget” proposition—it requires ongoing attention, investment, and adaptation. The most secure organizations approach security as a continuous process of improvement rather than a final destination.

How Velocity Solutions Can Help Improve Your Security Posture

At Velocity Solutions, we understand that completing this cyber security readiness checklist may reveal gaps in your security program that require specialized expertise to address. Our team of security professionals can assist with:

  • Conducting comprehensive security assessments based on this checklist
  • Developing customized remediation roadmaps to address identified gaps
  • Implementing critical security controls and technologies
  • Providing ongoing security monitoring and management
  • Delivering specialized training for your technical teams and end users
  • Testing your defenses through penetration testing and simulated attacks

Don’t wait for a security incident to expose weaknesses in your cyber defenses. Contact Velocity Solutions today to schedule a consultation and take the first step toward a more secure and resilient organization.

Note: This cyber security readiness checklist is designed to provide a framework for assessing and improving your organization’s security posture. It is not exhaustive and should be adapted to your specific business context, compliance requirements, and risk profile. We recommend consulting with security professionals to develop a tailored approach for your organization.

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