What does your Cyber Strategy look like?

The start of a new financial year is more than just a calendar change; it’s a golden opportunity to hit reset. It’s the perfect time to reflect on what worked, what didn’t, and where to put your energy to stay strong in an increasingly complex world. And right at the top of that agenda? Cybersecurity.

With more organizations embracing hybrid work, cloud adoption, and digital transformation, the traditional boundaries of business have blurred. This expansion unfortunately means more opportunities for cybercriminals. Attackers are getting smarter, using advanced tools to exploit vulnerabilities and disrupt operations. At the same time, regulations are tightening, customers are demanding more assurance, and boards want clear visibility into how their critical data and assets are protected.

The stakes have never been higher. Cybersecurity isn’t just an IT problem anymore; it’s a fundamental business priority that underpins your reputation, customer trust, and long-term success. That’s why now is the ideal moment to reassess your strategy, set clear goals for the year ahead, and ensure you’re ready for emerging threats and opportunities.

So, what should be on your radar over the next 12 months? Let’s unpack the key trends shaping the cybersecurity landscape and where to focus your efforts to stay secure and resilient.

Strengthening Identity and Access Management

Identity is the new perimeter. As employees access systems from everywhere, knowing who is connecting to what and controlling that access is crucial. Multi-factor authentication (MFA) is no longer optional – it’s a must-have starting point. From there, invest in identity governance, regularly reviewing and adjusting permissions as roles change. Consider privileged access management (PAM) to limit high-risk accounts and adopt continuous monitoring to detect suspicious login behavior. The goal is simple: ensure only the right people have the right level of access, significantly reducing the likelihood of a compromise.

Preparing for AI-Enabled Threats

Artificial intelligence is transforming how we live and work, and unfortunately, it’s also changing how attackers operate. Expect to see more AI-powered social engineering, with criminals crafting near-perfect phishing emails or voice deepfakes that can fool even vigilant staff. Attackers are also using AI to automate vulnerability scanning and speed up their campaigns.

But it’s not all bad news! Defenders can harness AI too, deploying advanced analytics, anomaly detection, and automated response tools to identify and contain threats faster. This year, organizations should look to integrate AI-driven security solutions into their defenses and invest in staff training to recognize AI-based attacks.

Elevating Third-Party Risk Management

Your security is only as strong as your weakest link, and that link is often a supplier. Recent high-profile breaches have shown how attackers exploit trusted vendors to gain access to larger targets. This makes third-party risk management a critical priority. Start by conducting comprehensive assessments of your vendors’ security postures, not just once, but on an ongoing basis. Include clear cybersecurity requirements in contracts, and establish incident notification procedures so you’re not the last to know if a partner suffers a breach. Strengthening third-party oversight can significantly reduce your exposure to supply chain threats.

Embedding Cybersecurity into Business Strategy

Cybersecurity can no longer operate in a silo. With cyber risks now a top concern for boards and executives, embedding cyber into overall business strategy is essential. This means clearly articulating how cyber threats could impact strategic objectives, revenues, reputation, and customer trust. Ensure leaders have a clear view of key risks, and make cyber a part of risk management discussions at the highest levels. Develop metrics and reports that translate technical risks into business language the board understands. This integrated approach helps prioritize investments and shows stakeholders that your organization takes cyber seriously.

Focusing on Cyber Resilience and Recovery

The reality is that breaches are often inevitable. What separates resilient organizations is their ability to detect, respond, and recover quickly. This year, review and update your incident response and disaster recovery plans. Conduct regular tabletop exercises so everyone knows their role when an incident occurs. Crucially, check your backups! Ensure they are comprehensive, encrypted, and regularly tested. There’s nothing worse than discovering backups are incomplete or corrupted when you need them most. A strong focus on cyber resilience helps minimize downtime and damage, protecting both operations and reputation.

Keeping Pace with Compliance and Regulatory Change

Compliance remains a moving target, with new regulations and standards emerging globally. Frameworks like ISO 27001, NIST, and CIS Controls remain foundational, but privacy laws such as GDPR, Australia’s Privacy Act reforms, and industry-specific standards like PCI DSS are constantly evolving. Regulators are increasingly expecting organizations to demonstrate robust cyber practices. Keeping pace with these changes is vital, not only to avoid penalties but also to show customers and partners that your organization prioritizes security and data protection. Make time this year to review your compliance posture and update policies, processes, and training accordingly.

Looking Ahead: Key Cybersecurity Trends

Beyond these focus areas, what other trends should you keep an eye on? Expect zero trust architectures to move further into the mainstream as organizations realize that perimeter-based defenses no longer suffice. Security automation will become essential, helping teams manage rising alert volumes and fill skills gaps. The human element will remain a critical factor, meaning investments in ongoing security awareness training will continue to deliver significant returns. Meanwhile, expect AI to reshape both the threat landscape and the tools defenders use, making it essential to stay informed and agile.

The start of a new financial year is the perfect time to take a hard look at your cybersecurity strategy and ensure it aligns with your organization’s goals and the evolving threat landscape. It’s an opportunity to reassess your priorities, identify areas where your defenses may need strengthening, and make informed decisions about where to invest your time, resources, and attention. By focusing on these priority areas and staying attuned to emerging trends, you can better prepare your organization for the challenges that lie ahead, protect your critical assets, and build lasting trust with customers, partners, and stakeholders.

A proactive approach to cybersecurity will not only reduce the risk of costly incidents but also help your business remain resilient, competitive, and compliant in an increasingly regulated environment. Demonstrating a commitment to security can differentiate your organization in the marketplace, enhancing your reputation and giving your clients and stakeholders confidence that you are a trustworthy partner who takes their data and privacy seriously.

Remember, cyber threats won’t wait for you to catch up. Attackers are constantly evolving their tactics and seeking new opportunities. So why wait to act? Use this new financial year as your springboard to strengthen your cybersecurity posture, empower your teams, and ensure your organization is ready for whatever comes next.