Technology has changed how businesses work, making processes faster, automating tasks, and handling data more efficiently. No matter your industry, you're likely using tech to store important information. But with this reliance on technology comes the risk of cybercrime, which affects almost every sector.

Cyber security is now essential for all industries. The impact of cyber-attacks—like financial losses and damaged reputations—hits everyone who uses technology. As businesses adopt more tech, strong cyber security measures are more important than ever.

This guide will walk you through the steps to build an internal cyber security team to protect your business's digital assets. We’ll explain how to define your team's mission and objectives, identify the necessary roles, and understand the required skills. We'll cover key positions such as cyber security analysts, engineers, and incident responders and provide tips for recruiting the best talent.

Why Build a Dedicated Team of Cyber Security Professionals?

Global cybercrime costs are projected to increase by 15% annually over the next five years. Does that concern you? It should. Relying on a small team or a few tech-savvy individuals to manage your cyber security is no longer enough.

Historically, many businesses of all sizes depended on minimal IT resources to handle cyber security. However, this outdated approach is inadequate in today’s high-risk digital environment.

There are two ways to answer the question 'why build a dedicated team of cyber security professionals?'—the short answer and the long answer.

Short answer: To ensure that all your systems, data, and clients' or candidates' information are as secure as possible.

Long answer:

1. Comprehensive Protection: A one-person band can't provide the in-depth protection a growing business needs against sophisticated cyber threats. A dedicated cyber security team is essential for identifying and addressing vulnerabilities that a general IT team might miss.

2. Reduced Pressure on Other Teams: With a specialized cyber security team, your IT staff can focus on their core responsibilities without being overwhelmed by the complexities of cyber defense.

3. Investment in the Future: Building an internal cyber security team is a proactive investment. Handling data in any industry comes with risks. Even if attacks are infrequent, the damage can be catastrophic.

Take, for instance, the Mr Cooper cyber attack, which made headlines worldwide. The breach compromised the personal data of over 14 million people and had an estimated $25 million price tag to remedy. Despite having more than 6,000 workers and substantial cyber security infrastructure, vulnerabilities were exploited by unauthorized third parties. 

This incident caused massive damage and had the potential for even more significant harm. The intense media coverage and public scrutiny amplified the impact, highlighting the broader risks involved. While Mr Cooper’s response team acted quickly to mitigate the damage and prevent further breaches, the event highlights a crucial truth: no system can guarantee complete immunity from cyber attacks. 

However, a dedicated cyber security team is your best line of defense in both preventing attacks and managing the fallout if one does occur. Investing in such a team equips your business with the expertise and rapid response capabilities necessary to protect your operations and decrease the chances of damage. 

6 Actions to Take if You Want to Develop a Successful Internal Team

We have established that a trained and experienced internal cyber security team can profoundly impact your organization's safety and reputation. But how do you create the perfect team that will help you control your cyber security? 

Let’s explore six essential strategies to help you build the most successful cyber security team possible. 

1. Define Your Objectives and Assess Your Needs

Building an effective cyber security team starts with understanding your specific vulnerabilities and needs. Every business is unique, so there's no one-size-fits-all solution. Here's how to get started.

First, it's essential to understand where your business is most vulnerable. The type of cyber security team you build should reflect these areas. For example, if your company relies heavily on cloud computing, you’ll need professionals specializing in securing cloud environments. By 2024, about 94% of companies are expected to use cloud services, making this expertise critical.

Consider the different aspects of your business:

• What types of data do you handle most frequently?
• Where is this data stored, and who has access to it?
• What are the biggest threats to your data?

Your cyber security team should be built around these considerations. There’s no point in hiring for roles that don’t align with your specific risks and operations. If your company deals with financial transactions or healthcare data, you'll need experts who understand these fields' unique threats and compliance requirements.

Align with Business Objectives

Think about how your cyber security strategy fits into your broader business goals. A good cyber security team protects your assets and supports your company's growth by:

• Protecting intellectual property and sensitive data
• Ensuring regulatory compliance
• Maintaining customer trust and your business's reputation

When your cyber security efforts align with your business objectives, your team can better protect your assets and support your company's growth and success.

Conduct a Thorough Risk Assessment

After understanding your needs and objectives, the next step is a thorough risk assessment. This helps you identify your current vulnerabilities and determine where to focus your resources. Here’s how to do it:

1. Identify Key Data Areas: Determine where your critical and sensitive information is stored.

2. Catalog Information Assets: List who collects data, which departments are involved, and who has access to this information.

3. Review Past Vulnerabilities: Identify any previous security weaknesses in your system.

4. Research Common Vulnerabilities: Understand the common security issues associated with your technologies and software.

5. Determine Threat Likelihood: Assess the probability of various threats targeting your business.

6. Determine Threat Impact: Evaluate the potential impact of these threats on your operations.

Risk assessments should be done regularly. Like financial audits, they help you avoid new threats and adapt to changes. If you adopt new technologies or start storing data in new ways, conduct another risk assessment and adjust your team and strategies accordingly.

You can build a cyber security team that protects your business's digital infrastructure by defining your objectives and thoroughly assessing your needs.

2. Realize that You Need People, Not Just Technologies 

If you think technology alone will save you from cyber-attacks, it's time for a reality check. Firewalls and antivirus software are important, but they can't catch everything. Phishing and social engineering attacks often slip past these defenses because they exploit human weaknesses.

Think about it. A well-trained employee can spot a suspicious email that automated filters might miss. Cyber security pros bring invaluable human insight. They can see patterns and anomalies that machines might overlook. It often takes a human to recognize another human's trickery.

So, how do you change your mindset? Start by recognizing that technology is just one piece of the puzzle. Invest in your people. Provide regular training to help them identify and respond to threats. Build a team of skilled cyber security professionals who can think critically and adapt to new challenges. Create an environment where everyone understands their role in keeping the business safe.

When building your team, recruit for who you really need, not just for who you need at a minimum. Don’t just fill positions to check a box. Hire individuals with the right skills and the ability to stay ahead of emerging threats. 

If you don’t know by now that tech alone doesn’t solve all your problems, you probably don’t work in tech. Embrace the human element in cyber security; you'll be much better equipped to protect your business.

3. Recruit for Key Roles 

We have reached Stage 3, and it’s time for your business to start building its internal team. At this point, you should utilize the planning and evaluation you did in Step 1 to guide your hiring decisions. Let’s assume you’re starting from scratch.

Who you hire will depend on your specific needs, the technologies you use, and the unique threats your business faces. Here are some key roles that should be part of any solid cyber security team:

• Network Security Engineer: They design and implement secure network solutions to protect your organization’s data flow.
• Security Architect: They build and manage the security framework, ensuring all systems are designed with security in mind.
• Threat Analyst: They monitor for and analyze potential threats, providing insights on how to defend against them.
• Vulnerability Assessor/Vulnerability Management Analyst: They identify and manage security weaknesses in your systems, helping to fix or mitigate vulnerabilities.

Remember that these are core roles; you'll need to expand on them based on the size of your business. For more extensive networks, you may need multiple professionals for each role. We’ll jump into these details in the later sections.

Leveling Up Your Team

When building your cyber security team, it's time to get serious about who you hire. Key certifications like CompTIA Security+, CISSP, CISA, CISM, CEH, and the Google Cyber Security Certificate are a good start. They show that someone has the proper knowledge and skills.

But certifications alone don’t cut it. You need people who can use their knowledge. Look for candidates who have real-world experience and can adapt to new threats as they arise. In your hiring process, don’t just go for the basics. Find individuals with practical experience, problem-solving skills, and a proactive attitude.

4. Set up a Chain of Command 

So, you’ve reached Stage 4, sorted out your needs, hired the right tech talent, and started rolling out your cyber security plans. Is that it? Not quite. Building a successful cyber security team isn’t complete until you establish a clear chain of command.

In most businesses, there's a chain of command for every department. For your cyber security team, this might be the most crucial one. Here’s why it matters:

• Rapid Response: When everyone knows their role and who’s in charge, communication flows smoothly, allowing your team to tackle threats efficiently.
• Accountability: A clear chain of command ensures everyone knows their responsibilities, reducing confusion and blame-shifting.
• Coordination and Collaboration: With a defined hierarchy, teamwork becomes more effective. Each member understands their role and how it fits into the more significant security strategy.
• Scalability: A strong chain of command helps maintain organization and efficiency as your team grows, which is crucial given the tech talent shortage.
• Crisis Management: In a crisis, like a major cyber attack, clear leadership ensures your team can stay focused and make quick decisions.

Your chain of command will depend on the needs and structure of your unique business. To highlight the importance, here’s a basic strategy for different-sized firms:

For Smaller Businesses:

• Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) or IT Manager
• IT Security Specialist or cyber security Analyst
• IT Support Staff

For Medium-Sized Businesses:

• Chief Information Security Officer (CISO)
• Cyber security Manager or Lead Security Engineer
• Security Analysts (Tier 1, 2, and 3)
• Security Operations Center (SOC) Team (if applicable)
• Compliance and Risk Manager

For Larger Businesses:

• Chief Information Security Officer (CISO)
• Deputy CISO or Security Director
• Security Operations Center (SOC) Manager
• Security Engineers
• Threat Intelligence Analysts
• Compliance and Risk Management Team

Setting up a transparent chain of command ensures your cyber security team can handle any threat, from the most common cyber attacks to large-scale breaches, and keeps your business protected and resilient.

5. Train Like There’s No Tomorrow 

You’ve reached Stage 5. Your team and systems are in place, but don’t stop yet—training is a step you can’t skip.

Don’t assume that hiring a skilled team means they’re ready to handle everything from day one. Even top professionals need ongoing training. Cyber threats keep changing, and new vulnerabilities are always popping up. Your team has to stay current to tackle these issues effectively.

Why continuous training matters:

• Stay Ahead: Cyber threats are constantly evolving. Regular updates and training help your team stay on top of the latest threats.
• Reduce Incidents: Ongoing training can reduce security incidents by up to 70%. It’s a proven way to make a big impact.
• Meet Requirements: For example, New York State requires regular cyber security training for all employees.

Make sure your training covers these key areas:

• Threat Intelligence and Analysis
• Incident Response and Disaster Recovery
• Network Security
• Application Security
• Cloud Security
• Cryptography
• Digital Forensics
• Compliance and Regulations

If you want to maximize your training sessions, tailor them to tech talent. Try incorporating scenario-based drills. Set up mock situations where your team deals with simulated attacks or breaches. Interactive teaching and training methods are typically far more effective than traditional written methods.

Example Scenarios:

1. Phishing Attack Simulation: Create a fake phishing email and see how your team handles identifying and responding to it. Test their ability to spot red flags and follow proper procedures for reporting and mitigating the attack.

2. Ransomware Drill: Simulate a ransomware attack where critical files are encrypted and demand payment for their release. Evaluate how your team responds to the threat, manages the situation, and communicates with stakeholders.

Regular training keeps your defenses strong and your team prepared for any challenge.

6. Change your mindset: Don’t Sacrifice Quality for Budget Control 

Congratulations—you’re almost at the finish line! Before you dive into action, let’s make one last important point: don’t let budget constraints undermine your cyber security efforts.

You’ve probably had to justify to your finance team why a full-scale cyber security team is necessary. And yes, you might have faced some budget compromises along the way. But here’s the deal: if you want a cybersecurity team that can protect your business’s growing vulnerabilities, you must invest properly.

Cutting corners on your cyber security budget isn’t just risky—it’s becoming a thing of the past. If your business deals with data or operates online in any capacity, skimping on cyber security isn’t an option.

Starting small is fine, especially for smaller businesses. But as your company grows and technology evolves, so should your cyber security team. Don’t rely on a handful of specialists to cover everything. Build a team that can scale with your business and adequately protect your reputation.

Growing Internal Cyber Security Teams: Closing Thoughts 

You’ve completed the key steps to building your cyber security team. Now, it’s time to stay on track. Investing in solid cyber security is not an area where you want to cut corners. Focus on hiring skilled professionals, providing continuous training, and establishing a clear chain of command. Don’t let budget constraints shortchange your security efforts. Cyber threats always change, and inadequate protection can lead to costly problems.

Keep your commitment to building a strong, well-resourced team. It’s the best way to ensure your business stays secure and ready for whatever comes next.

Ready to Secure Your Business? 

At McGregor Boyall, we specialize in developing top-notch cybersecurity teams tailored to your industry, whether it's energy, pharma, public sector, or retail. With decades of experience, we ensure you have the right expertise to tackle today's complex cyber threats. Ready to enhance your digital security? Let’s connect and discuss how we can support your unique needs.

Reach out today to discover how we can leverage our network of tech talent to add to your team.