Cybersecurity: How to Pilot Security Tools in Operations

Cybersecurity changes are considered highly risky. However, the larger risk is letting in a breach of data. According to the IBM Cost of a Data Breach report, it takes 168 days for organisations to identify and 51 days to contain a breach. So, how can you implement new security tools with minimal disruption or without creating further vulnerabilities? The answer is piloting the solution in a controlled, well-structured manner.

The following guide offers recommendations for safely evaluating security solutions in live environments. You will discover how to define evaluation success criteria, run contained evaluations, and make informed decisions.

Why Piloting Security Tools Matters

Deploying a security solution throughout your organisation without thorough evaluation and testing could result in a negative outcome. Even the best security tools may slow systems down, conflict with each other, or simply frustrate your users.

A structured, well-planned pilot allows for proper evaluation of effectiveness before purchase. It allows review of all the issues regarding the implementation of the tool into your organisation’s workflow before committing to a full rollout.

Identify Specific Success Metrics

The first step in any successful pilot is to have a clear understanding of what success will be. Make sure you know how you will measure success before you begin measuring anything else.

Instead of setting vague goals, such as ‘to improve security,’ try to get specific about what you want from the Pilot project. For example, you might want to check the following:

• How well the tool detects threats (threat detection accuracy)
• Whether or not there will be measurable system performance delays after implementing the tool
• What impact does the tool have on the organisation’s end-user experience
• How well the tool integrates with your current technology stack
• Whether it meets your organisational compliance needs

Use the NIST Cybersecurity Framework (CSF) as a basis for identifying success metrics. Specifically, assess whether the tool improves visibility into your organisation’s assets, improves the ability to enforce preventive controls, and facilitates resiliency and recovery.

Use Safe, Time-Limited Evaluations

Many vendors offer a trial period for their products, allowing users to experience the software’s full functionality without limitations for a specified period. Trial periods last anywhere from 30 to 60 days, providing potential customers time to evaluate the product’s features and capabilities.

When sourcing tools for endpoint protection, mobile security, VPNs, or password managers, use consolidated hubs that offer free product trials for Windows, macOS, and Android. This simplifies comparison and ensures access to legitimate, supported versions of each tool.

Select a Diverse User Group for Your Pilot Project

Testing tools only with IT employees can lead to an overly positive view that doesn’t reflect real-world usage. To get a more accurate assessment, the pilot project should include a diverse user group that represents the entire organisation.

You should include users from various departments and with different levels of expertise. Diversity will ensure that you are not just testing the ideal conditions, but the actual conditions under which the tool will be used.

Make a Confident Go/No-Go Decision

At the end of your pilot program, assess whether the security tool improved your security posture, if users adapted well to it, and if the costs are justified. If all signs point to a positive outcome, then continue with your phased rollout of the tool.

If the results are negative, document what you learned, and use those lessons in your next evaluation. If you successfully implement a pilot, it will turn decision-making from a guessing game to an evidence-based process.

Cybersecurity is vital in a modern workplace, as is ensuring your team knows how to use the management tools available to them. Find out how IoSCM can help you shape your leadership team ready for tomorrow’s world. Call 0800 1422 522 today.