Executive Summary:
Celebrating Earth Day 2023! Cybersecurity experts recognize the role they can play in supporting environmental sustainability initiatives and understand how sustainability intersects with cybersecurity.
Considering the environmental impact of security-related initiatives, cybersecurity professionals can not only contribute to a more sustainable future, but also improve the overall security and resilience of their organizations.
In this article, we’ll reveal 10 practical tips that can help cybersecurity professionals support environmental sustainability while improving their cybersecurity posture and advancing resilience capabilities.
10 Earth Day Tips for Cyber Security Professionals
1. Make a review. As a cybersecurity professional, review information security policies and procedures to ensure they align with environmental sustainability goals.
For example, consider reviewing data retention policies and then recommending changes that can minimize the energy and resources required to store data over time.
2. Green your IT infrastructure. Look for ways to optimize your IT infrastructure for energy efficiency. This can include using virtual servers, upgrading to more energy-efficient hardware and reducing paper use.
3. Promote energy conservation. Implement power management policies for equipment by setting automatic power saving modes and scheduling regular shutdowns, which can reduce energy consumption. Employees can also be encouraged to turn off computers, screens and other office equipment when the equipment is not in use.
4. Encouraging green procurement. Encouraging the purchase of environmentally friendly products and services. Additionally, work with suppliers to adopt sustainable practices, including prioritizing sustainable sourcing practices.
5. Leverage virtual meetings. To offset your carbon footprint from travel, use video conferencing and other virtual meeting tools to communicate (if you haven’t already).
When meeting virtually, secure your meetings. Make sure your team’s meetings are password-secured and only authorized participants can join. Encryption can protect the confidentiality of meetings, and help ensure that sensitive information is not leaked at a later point in time.
6. Encourage recycling. If working from a physical office, make sure it’s easy for employees to recycle paper, plastic and old electronic equipment.
7. Delve into the details of the data center. Consider conducting data center energy assessments to identify areas where energy consumption can be reduced. This may involve identifying equipment that is not energy efficient, optimizing cooling and power management systems, and reviewing data center policies—all in an effort to reduce the resources required to operate the data center.
8. Promote sustainable supply chain practices. Encourage your organization’s suppliers to adopt sustainable work practices, adhere to ESG frameworks and reduce their environmental impact.
9. Measure progress. Establish metrics to measure the success of sustainability efforts and report progress to management and stakeholders. Work with internal ESG managers to identify KPIs aligned with the organization’s environmental and sustainability goals.
Develop reporting mechanisms that provide regular updates on your progress toward meeting sustainability goals. Set up dashboards or other reporting tools that provide real-time data on environmental impact.
10. Educate employees on the importance of both cyber security and sustainability. Cyber security professionals can play a role in promoting cyber security and sustainability awareness among employees.
Consider providing hands-on training and resources that highlight the connection between cybersecurity and environmental sustainability. Additionally, share relevant news articles, case studies, and best practices to help employees stay informed on these topics.
Additional thoughts
By following these tips, cybersecurity professionals can not only promote environmental sustainability, but also improve the overall security and resilience of organizations, contributing to a more sustainable and secure future.
For more information on cybersecurity and sustainability, see CyberTalk.org’s past coverage. Want to stay updated on technology trends? Check out the CyberTalk.org newsletter. Sign up today to receive top-notch news articles, best practices and expert analysis; Sent directly to your inbox.
