Cybersecurity Maturity Models: The Key to Effective Network Protection - Research Paper

Abstract

Background: There is more dependence on information technologies, thus the need for the improvement of cybersecurity information systems. There has been an increase in the complexity of networks exponentially, and they will keep extending outsider the enterprise borders (Munyoka & Maharaj, 2019). Solving the problem requires embracing the zero trusts of cybersecurity management. Maturity models have proved to be essential instruments because they help in allowing for better positioning of the organization to find better solutions for change. Objectives: the aim of the study is to find out the zero trust cybersecurity management maturity models that the government applies as well as the private sectors, specifically in Saudi Arabia. It will help to know the far that the Saudi Arabian government has gone to protect against cybercrimes and their next steps towards the same. Another objective of the study is to investigate the impact of security risks on the citizens of Saudi Arabia as well as their behavior according to the perceived strategies of the government. Method: The study will involve the use of a quantitative design to collect data. The primary data collection tool will be survey forms for the government agents working in cybersecurity and those in private sectors across Saudi Arabia. Results: The majority of the effective zero trust cybersecurity management models by the government and private sectors have achieved growth in security (Kurnianto et al., 2018). There is a need for the development of new maturity models to replace the existing ones so that they utilize the zero trust principle.

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Introduction

The government and private sectors rely on Information technology to complete their increasing amounts of essential functions. However, compromised information has severe consequences on the operations of the institute. It is even surprising that these enterprises are not aware of the threats and have put no measures against them. Information security aims to make sure that all the information that is stored in information systems remains confidential and available to the authorized hands (Garlock, 2018). Preventing the rise of cybercrimes requires the protection of data with the use of measures that minimize the exposed risks. The paper studies the zero trust cybersecurity management maturity models that the government applies as well as the private sectors, specifically in Saudi Arabia. Solving the problem requires embracing the zero trust cybersecurity management. Maturity models have proved to be essential instruments because they help in allowing for better positioning of the organization to find better solutions for change. The government and private sectors require the development of improved models to mitigate cybersecurity through defining the problem they would like to solve, their targeted presentation of results and the scientific documentation to develop some of the security measures that include digital asset management, data encryption, network access control, and web application firewall (Modderkolk, 2018).

Problem Statement

The government as well as private sectors must start the integration of zero trust cybersecurity management maturity models. There has been an increase in the complexity of networks, and the extension to outside borders means that they will start to become uncontrollable. If the institutions are not ready, they will be prone to disaster if their most confidential information leaks to unauthorized hands. The institutions also need to comply with the zero trust principle as well as use the tools to transform their cybersecurity measures (Mahmood et al., 2015). The research will seek to create scientific models that the government and private sectors can use to advance the maturity models.

Research questions

• What are the existing zero trust cybersecurity management maturity models that are applied in government and private sectors in Saudi Arabia?
• How do the existing models ensure stringent measures towards enhancing cybersecurity for Saudi Arabia?
• What are the present technologies that the facilities can use to advance to more present technologies of zero principles?

Research Methods

The study will involve the use of a quantitative design to collect data. The primary data collection tool will be survey forms for the government agents working in cybersecurity and those in private sectors across Saudi Arabia. Surveys will be useful to describe the characteristics of the large population of companies in Saudi Arabia. The research method will help to provide the broad capability of government facilities in the country.

Conclusion

The government and private sectors require the development of improved models to mitigate cybersecurity through defining the problem they would like to solve, their targeted presentation of results, and the scientific documentation. Some of the security measures that the government sectors and private use include digital asset management, data encryption, network access control, and web application firewall (Becker et al., 2009). Information security aims to make sure that all the information that is stored in information systems remains confidential and available to the authorized hands. Preventing the rise of cybercrimes requires the protection of data with the use of measures that minimize the exposed risks.

References

Becker, J., Knackstedt, R., & Poppelbuss, J. (2009). Developing maturity models for IT management. Business & Information Systems Engineering, 1(3), 213-222.

Garlock, K. (2018). Maturity Based Cybersecurity Investment Decision Making in Developing Nations (Doctoral dissertation, The George Washington University).

Kurnianto, A., Isnanto, R., & Widodo, A. P. (2018). Assessment of information security management system based on ISO/IEC 27001: 2013 on subdirectorate of data center and data recovery center in ministry of internal affairs. In E3S Web of Conferences (Vol. 31, p. 11013). EDP Sciences.

Mahmood, M. N., Dhakal, S., Wiewiora, A., Brown, K., & Keast, R. (2015). A comparative study on asset management capability maturity models. International Journal of Strategic Engineering Asset Management, 2(4), 328-347.

Modderkolk, M. G. (2018). Zero Trust Maturity Matters: Modeling Cyber Security Focus Areas and Maturity Levels in the Zero Trust Principle (Master's thesis).

Munyoka, W., & Maharaj, M. S. (2019). Privacy, security, trust, risk, and optimism bias in e-government use: The case of two Southern African Development Community countries. South African Journal of Information Management, 21(1), 1-9.