What Is Cyber Defense Planning and Optimization (CDPO) and Why Is It Important for Security Leaders?

The decision-making process for a CISO is difficult and with the new cybersecurity SEC regulations, this process is also often subject to careful scrutiny. Decisions, now more than ever, need to be documented and justifiable. Additionally, documentation of data that is accurate and up to date is crucial for effective budgeting and maintaining the trust of board members and other stakeholders. 

Traditional methods are not as effective as the combination of human and AI skills together. Cyber Defense Planning and Optimization (CDPO) is a new technology category that can help optimize the planning process.

CDPO is defined as tools that can help guide CISOs in optimizing overlapping tools, eliminating redundant platforms. Planning program elements, and effective self-assessment are also included in CDPO. 

The Core Elements of CDPO

Reducing Overlapping and Redundant Tools

“Focus on reducing the attack surface without creating gaps in coverage of attacks, and keep your focus on best-of-breed protection against major attack patterns.” — Gartner’s Emerging Tech: Mitigate Advanced Persistent Threats in SaaS and Cloud

Cybersecurity is costly and yet extremely important. It requires multiple vendors that sometimes overlap or are entirely but unknowingly redundant. Careful tool consolidation is important to keep costs down while maintaining a robust and comprehensive security posture.

A Security Stack Map can help security leaders organize and keep track of an organization’s security stack. It also can help inspire more informed and tailored vendor choices by allowing CISOs to experiment with different stack map options. Overall, a CISO can gain visibility into their security products and learn where they need to add or reallocate budget for more complete coverage.

Supporting Program Planning

A Cybersecurity Management Platform can help with visibility into the effectiveness of your cybersecurity stack map. Data-informed decisions can be reached with this newly acquired visibility. Additionally, the use of AI trends and predictions can track your program in detail.

Strategic Self Assessment 

The more data a CISO has, the better they can assess where they need to improve their program. It's important for a CISO to be aware of what strategies and tools need improvement and even where they are over performing because they need to stay vigilant and within budget. 

Key CDPO Benefits

Automated processes for these core elements are key because it is time-consuming and tedious if done manually.

A More Mature Posture and Budget Optimization 

Through mapping a security stack, a CISO can optimize their security posture by organizing, replacing, and exchanging security applications when needed. They can also compare pricing and consider their different and sometimes interchangeable options. This optimization is a core advantageous element for a CISO’s responsibility regarding security and regarding budgeting.

Data-Informed Tactical Decisions

By tracking a security program’s CPIs (Cybersecurity Performance Indicators) a CISO can make more informed decisions. A CISO who has access to data about their past performance can take insightful actions to better their security program. 

Clearer Visibility Into Your Program

Through automated data collection, a CISO can track their program, providing visibility into what is working and what needs to be improved. This consistent flow of information allows for a CISO to make more assured and informed decisions over time.

The Cyber Defense and Planning Optimization (CDPO) category has emerged at a critical time for CISOs, where there is increased emphasis on accountability and proactive risk management.

We are proud that Onyxia’s Cybersecurity Management Platform was Recognized as a Sample Provider in CDPO in the 2023 Gartner® Emerging Tech: Mitigate Advanced Persistent Threats in SaaS and Cloud Report. We believe in the timeliness and necessity of CDPO and, in addition to the CDPO-related features mentioned above, we integrate predictive AI-insights and automated board reporting so that CISOs can fully utilize the transparency and visibility that CDPO promotes to their advantage.

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