Key points:

• Metrics Matter: Track cybersecurity metrics for informed decisions and improved security.
• Key Metrics: Focus on incident response, vulnerability management, user awareness, and more.
• Achieve KPIs: Regularly review, set goals, involve employees, train, and use tools like Metomic.

Everything can be measured these days, and IT security is no different. That presents a paradox for InfoSec teams. Under-analyse, and you could be ignoring critical vulnerabilities. But look into every nook and cranny of your operation, and you can soon drown under the weight of too many data points.

This conundrum becomes more profound for startups and scale-ups. They typically lack the resources to easily uncover insights, or take action against everything they find.

The answer is to be selective. Don’t track things just because you can. Instead, define a set of core KPIs that are fundamental to your business' data security strategy, and that you can impact with the tools at your disposal. Other metrics shouldn’t be overlooked entirely, but aggregated and investigated less frequently. (And then promoted to core status later, if warranted.)

What are cybersecurity metrics?

Cybersecurity metrics are quantifiable measures used to track and assess an organisation's cybersecurity posture. They provide valuable insights into how well an organisation protects its data and infrastructure from cyber threats. 

By tracking these metrics, IT and security teams can make informed decisions, identify vulnerabilities, and improve their overall security strategy.

Why are cybersecurity metrics important to track?

Tracking cybersecurity metrics is crucial for several reasons:

• Informed decision-making: Metrics help identify strengths and weaknesses in your cybersecurity framework, enabling better decision-making.
• Continuous improvement: Regular monitoring allows organisations to adapt and improve their security measures in response to emerging threats.
• Compliance and reporting: Many regulations require organisations to demonstrate their cybersecurity effectiveness, making metrics essential for compliance reporting.
• Resource allocation: By understanding which areas need more attention, organisations can allocate their resources more effectively.

Top cybersecurity metrics to track

Here’s a list of essential cybersecurity metrics that every organisation should consider tracking:

1. Incident response time

Measures how quickly your team can respond to security incidents, encompassing the average time taken to detect (MTTD) and the average time taken to respond (MTTR) to these incidents.

2. Security incidents

Refers to the total number of detected security incidents within a specific time frame, providing insight into the frequency of security challenges faced by the organisation.

3. Vulnerability patch management

Tracks the time taken to patch known vulnerabilities, including the percentage of critical vulnerabilities patched within a specified timeframe to ensure ongoing protection against exploits.

4. User awareness training

Tracks the percentage of employees who have completed cybersecurity awareness training and assesses the frequency of these training sessions to ensure that all staff members are up to date on best practices.

5. Phishing attack success rate

Measures the percentage of phishing attempts that successfully compromise users, helping organisations understand the effectiveness of their security training and awareness initiatives.

6. Firewall breaches

Indicates the number of successful breaches that occur through firewall security measures, highlighting the effectiveness of the firewall configurations.

7. Data breaches

Tracks the total number of data breaches that occur within a specific period, providing insights into the organisation’s overall security landscape.

8. Mean time to contain (MTTC)

MTTC measures the average time taken to contain a security incident after detection, serving as a critical metric for evaluating the effectiveness of the incident response plan.

9. Malware detection rate

This percentage reflects the effectiveness of security tools in detecting and neutralising malware, helping organisations understand their readiness against malware threats.

10. Intrusion attempts

Tracks the number of recorded intrusion attempts on your network, allowing security teams to identify patterns and enhance preventive measures.

11. Security audit findings

Indicates the number of vulnerabilities identified during security audits, which helps organisations address compliance gaps and improve their security posture.

12. SSL certificate validity

Assesses the percentage of SSL certificates that are properly configured and valid, ensuring that communications are securely encrypted.

13. Network traffic analysis

Involves monitoring the volume of data transferred over the network, including anomalous spikes that may indicate potential attacks.

14. Access control violations

Tracks the number of access violations, where users attempt to access restricted data or systems, highlighting potential weaknesses in access management.

15. Third-party risk management

Measures the percentage of third-party vendors that meet your organisation’s security standards, ensuring that external partners do not introduce vulnerabilities.

16. Compliance audit results

‍Indicates the number of compliance issues found during audits related to cybersecurity regulations, helping organisations maintain adherence to legal requirements.

17. Cost of cybersecurity incidents

Provides insight into the total cost incurred from cybersecurity incidents, factoring in expenses related to downtime, recovery efforts, and other associated costs.

18. First-party security ratings

‍This assessment evaluates your organisation’s security posture based on internal metrics, providing a clear picture of your security effectiveness.

19. Backup success rate

Tracks the percentage of successful data backups completed within the scheduled time-frame, ensuring that data recovery measures are effective.

20. Non-human traffic (NHT)

Monitors unusual traffic patterns that may indicate bot activity or other automated threats, helping to identify potential security risks.

How can you ensure KPIs are met consistently?

To ensure your KPIs are consistently hit, consider these strategies:

• Regular review: Establish a routine for reviewing and analysing your metrics. Weekly or monthly reviews can help catch issues early.
• Set clear goals: Make sure that each metric has clear targets. Having well-defined objectives makes it easier to measure success.
• Employee involvement: Encourage team members to take ownership of specific metrics. This fosters accountability and promotes a culture of security awareness.
• Continuous training: Provide ongoing training to keep the team updated on best practices and emerging threats.

How can Metomic help?

Metomic can assist in tracking cybersecurity metrics in these effective ways:

• Automated data discovery and classification: Using AI, Metomic automatically discovers and classifies sensitive data across various platforms, helping identify potential risks.
• Comprehensive reporting: Metomic offers detailed reports that track progress and assess compliance with regulations like HIPAA and GDPR.
• Employee awareness metrics: Automated notifications can be sent to employees who violate policies, promoting better security awareness.
• Data retention compliance: Set comprehensive data retention policies, ensuring compliance with data regulations.