Improving cybersecurity readiness with a maturity framework for organizations in U.S. and Canada
1 KPMG, Calgary, Canada.
2 Amstek Nigeria Limited.
3 Kwara State University, Malete, Nigeria.
4 Independent Researcher, Canada.
Review
International Journal of Science and Technology Research Archive, 2022, 03(01), 232-250.
Article DOI: 10.53771/ijstra.2022.3.1.0068
Publication history:
Received on 08 June 2022; revised on 23 July 2022; accepted on 27 July 2022
Abstract:
The increasing frequency and sophistication of cyber threats have underscored the need for enhanced cybersecurity readiness among organizations in the U.S. and Canada. To address this need, this paper introduces a Cybersecurity Maturity Framework (CMF) designed to assist organizations in systematically assessing and improving their cybersecurity capabilities. The framework provides a structured approach for evaluating current security postures, identifying gaps, and prioritizing investments to mitigate risks effectively. The proposed CMF consists of five maturity levels: Initial, Developing, Established, Advanced, and Optimized. Each level encompasses critical domains, including governance, threat intelligence, incident response, and workforce development, with defined benchmarks to measure progress. By incorporating best practices from the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Cybersecurity Framework and Canada's Cyber Security Strategy, the CMF ensures alignment with regional regulatory requirements and industry standards. A key feature of the framework is its adaptability to organizations of various sizes and sectors. The CMF integrates advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) for threat detection and predictive analytics while emphasizing the importance of human factors, including continuous employee training and leadership engagement. Moreover, the framework promotes collaboration between public and private sectors to facilitate information sharing and collective defense against evolving cyber threats. Through case studies, the application of the CMF is demonstrated in enhancing cybersecurity readiness for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and large organizations in critical sectors such as healthcare, finance, and energy. Results indicate improved incident detection rates, faster response times, and strengthened resilience against sophisticated cyberattacks. This research highlights the necessity of adopting a maturity-based approach to cybersecurity, ensuring organizations can evolve their capabilities to counter dynamic threats. The Cybersecurity Maturity Framework provides a roadmap for sustainable improvement, empowering organizations in the U.S. and Canada to achieve a higher state of preparedness and resilience in the face of an ever-changing cyber threat landscape.
Keywords:
Cybersecurity Maturity Framework; U.S.; Canada; Cybersecurity Readiness; Threat Intelligence; Incident Response; AI; Machine Learning; Governance; Public-Private Collaboration
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Copyright © 2022 Author(s) retain the copyright of this article. This article is published under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Liscense 4.0