Cybersecurity has become an increasingly strategic area for Brazilian organizations.Today, the country ranks second in the global cyberattack ranking, according to theThreat Outlook for Latin America 2024This scenario, combined with the increasing digitalization and the dissemination of new technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI) and cloud computing, has driven ever greater investments in the field. In 2025, companies are expected to allocate $212 billion to cybersecurity, a 15.1% increase compared to the $183.9 billion forecast for 2024, according to Gartner data.
With the increase in investments, the implementation of security measures must be carried out properly, adopting the concept of holistic cybersecurity. This implies an integrated and systemic approach to information security, which goes beyond technical aspects, also encompassing organizational, legal, market, human, social, cultural, and psychological dimensions, in addition to considering the organization's development stage. To facilitate the implementation process in companies, NAVA Technology for Business, a company specialized in technological services and solutions, shares key points for managers to effectively apply this concept.
- Application of multidisciplinarity:Many organizations still face cultural barriers that hinder collaboration between areas such as IT, legal, compliance, and software development. The lack of integration between sectors, which often operate in a compartmentalized manner, makes the implementation of cybersecurity even more complex. Senior leadership needs to promote an organizational transformation that aligns the sectors, enabling an integrated view and strengthening safety as a whole.
“In short, when thinking about holistic cybersecurity, we must consider a systemic and multidisciplinary vision, which generates learning in resilience, exercise of adaptability, interconnection of threats and constant evaluation of processes”, says Edison Fontes, Chief Information Security Officer at NAVA.
- Pay attention to new technological paradigms:The use of AI and cloud computing increases organizational efficiency, but also expands the attack surface when criminals employ AI to create more sophisticated threats. In this scenario, concepts like Zero Trust become allies, as they establish that no entity, internal or external, should be automatically trusted, which is necessary in an environment of dispersed information accessible by multiple devices. Furthermore, theShadow IA, which is the use of artificial intelligence without organizational control, represents a risk that must be mitigated within a holistic security strategy.
- Implementation in other areas of technology:An example of the application of holistic cybersecurity is DevSecOps, which goes beyond being a practice of automation and integration. DevSecOps, as a cultural change, improves efficiency and quality in software development, enabling fast, secure, and scalable deliveries. It promotes greater security through test automation and compliance, resulting in reliable products. The development manager should, therefore, consider holistic agility and security, ensuring product reliability by integrating a multidisciplinary approach aligned with corporate objectives.
"Holistic cybersecurity should be adopted by organizations seeking more comprehensive and sustainable protection," comments Fontes. "The increase in cybercrimes puts companies in an increasingly vulnerable environment, making it necessary to improve security practices to ensure data preservation and the trust of other market players. It is in this context that holistic cybersecurity becomes a key ally in protection," adds Fabiano Oliveira, Chief Technology Officer of NAVA.
