Cybersecurity

How to Organize Your Cybersecurity Strategy into Left and Right of Boom

Zachary Kitchen

In the pulsating digital landscape, every click and keystroke echoes through cyberspace. The battle for data security rages on. Businesses stand as both guardians and targets. Unseen adversaries covet their digital assets.

To navigate this treacherous terrain takes a two-pronged approach. Businesses must arm themselves with a sophisticated arsenal of cybersecurity strategies. On one side, the vigilant guards of prevention (Left of Boom). On the other, the resilient bulwarks of recovery (Right of Boom).

Together, these strategies form the linchpin of a comprehensive defense. They help ensure that businesses can repel attacks. And also rise stronger from the ashes if breached.

In this blog post, we’ll explain how to organize your cybersecurity approach into Left and Right of Boom.

What Do “Left of Boom” and “Right of Boom” Mean?

In the realm of cybersecurity, “Left of Boom” and “Right of Boom” are strategic terms. They delineate the proactive and reactive approaches to dealing with cyber threats

The Boom

“Left of Boom” refers to preemptive measures and preventative strategies. These are things implemented to safeguard against potential security breaches. It encompasses actions aimed at preventing cyber incidents before they occur.

“Right of Boom” pertains to the post-breach recovery strategies. Companies use these after a security incident has taken place. This phase involves activities like incident response planning and data backup.

Together, these terms form a comprehensive cybersecurity strategy. They cover both prevention and recovery aspects. The goal is to enhance an organization’s resilience against cyber threats.

Left of Boom: Prevention Strategies

User Education and Awareness

One of the foundational elements of Left of Boom is employee cybersecurity education. Regular training sessions can empower staff. They help them identify phishing emails. As well as recognize social engineering attempts and adopt secure online behaviors. An informed workforce becomes a strong line of defense against potential threats.

Employee training reduces the risk of falling for a phishing attack by 75%.

Robust Access Control and Authentication

Implementing strict access control measures reduces the risk of a breach. It helps ensure employees only have access to the tools necessary for their roles.

Access control tactics include:

  • Least privilege access
  • Multifactor authentication (MFA)
  • Contextual access
  • Single Sign-on (SSO) solutions

Regular Software Updates and Patch Management

Outdated software is a common vulnerability exploited by cybercriminals. Left of Boom strategies include ensuring all software is regularly updated. They should have the latest security patches. Automated patch management tools can streamline this process. They reduce the window of vulnerability.

Network Security and Firewalls

Firewalls act as the first line of defense against external threats. Install robust firewalls and intrusion detection/prevention systems. They can help track network traffic and identify suspicious activities. Additionally, they help block unauthorized access attempts. Secure network configurations are essential to prevent unauthorized access to sensitive data.

Regular Security Audits and Vulnerability Assessments

Conduct regular security audits and vulnerability assessments. This helps to identify potential weaknesses in your systems. By proactively addressing these vulnerabilities, organizations can reduce risk. They can reduce the chance of exploitation by cybercriminals.

Penetration testing can also simulate real-world cyber-attacks. This allows businesses to evaluate their security posture effectively.

Right of Boom: Recovery Strategies

Incident Response Plan

Having a well-defined incident response plan in place is crucial. This plan should outline the steps to take in the event of a security breach.

It should include things like:

  • Communication protocols
  • Containment procedures
  • Steps for recovery
  • IT contact numbers

Regularly test and update your incident response plan. This ensures it remains effective and relevant.

Data Backup and Disaster Recovery

Regularly backing up data is a vital component of Right of Boom. Another critical component is having a robust disaster recovery plan.

Automated backup systems can ensure that critical data is regularly backed up. As well as making sure it can be quickly restored in the event of a breach. A disaster recovery plan allows businesses to resume operations swiftly after an incident.

Forensic Analysis and Learning

After a security breach, conduct a thorough forensic analysis. It’s essential to understand the nature of the attack. As well as the extent of the damage, and the vulnerabilities exploited.

Learning from these incidents enables organizations to strengthen their security posture further. This makes it harder for similar attacks to succeed in the future.

Legal and Regulatory Compliance

Navigating the legal and regulatory la ndscape after a security breach is important. Organizations must follow data breach notification laws and regulations. Timely and transparent communication with affected parties is essential. It’s vital to maintaining trust and credibility.

Get Help with a Strong 2-pronged Cybersecurity Strategy

Using Left and Right of Boom strategies can improve your security stance. These terms help you consider both important aspects of a strong defense.

If you’d like some help getting started, give us a call today to schedule a chat.


Featured Image Credit

This Article has been Republished with Permission from The Technology Press.

Zachary Kitchen

Get Your Free Cybersecurity Guide

Protect your business with expert tips. Fill out the form to download our comprehensive guide and enhance your cybersecurity.

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

By downloading you’re confirming that you agree with our Terms and Conditions.

What business owners are saying about us...

Read testimonials from satisfied clients who trust Digital Crisis for their IT needs. Discover how we’ve helped businesses like yours.

Quote icon

When Our Server Crashed, I Expected Downtime For Days, They Had Us Back in Hours

As a small law firm, we needed reliable IT support that wouldn’t break the budget—but still delivered at the highest level. Digital Crisis gave us exactly that.
 
They helped us modernize our systems, move to the cloud, and streamline how we work. Now our team can securely access everything we need from anywhere—and we’ve never been more efficient.
 
When our server went down unexpectedly, they had us fully operational again within three hours. No panic. No delays. Just fast, professional support when we needed it most.
 
With Digital Crisis, we feel like we have a world-class IT department—without the overhead.
Scott Davenport
Managing Attorney, Davenport Law Firm
Quote icon

We Knew Something Had to Change

As a managing partner of our firm, I needed a technology partner who understood urgency—and our old IT company just didn’t get it. Every time we had an issue, we were forced to submit a ticket just to speak with someone. No one ever answered the phone. Everything felt like a battle, and we were stuck in a long-term contract with no flexibility.

 

When I called Digital Crisis, they picked up immediately. No ticket. No runaround. Just answers. Within minutes, they had already started helping us.

 

Looking back, I wish we had made the switch sooner. I didn’t need to be a tech expert—I just needed to make one good decision for my team. Now our systems are secure, we actually get support when we need it, and I don’t have to worry about IT holding us back.

 

If you’re tired of being ignored by your IT guy, do what I did. Take back control. Call Digital Crisis.

Rudy Culp
Managing Partner, Horrigan & Goehrs, LLP
Quote icon

I Couldn’t Afford IT Headaches When Starting My Firm

As the Managing Partner of a newly established law firm, I can confidently say that the seamlessness of our start-up is due in large part to the exceptional IT support provided by Zach and the team at Digital Crisis. From day one, they have been more than just a service provider—they've been true partners in our success.

Zach and his team have an incredible ability to anticipate our needs before we even voice them. Their proactive approach, deep expertise, and commitment to keeping our systems secure and efficient have given us the confidence to focus fully on building our practice.

Having reliable IT support is critical in the legal field, where security and uptime are non-negotiable. Thanks to Digital Crisis, we’ve had both—plus the peace of mind that comes from knowing we’re in capable hands. We couldn’t ask for a better tech partner.

Stacy Kelly
Mangaing Partner, Texas Probate Attorney, PLLC
Quote icon

They’re a Valuable Member of Our Team

Zach is great at explaining to us about our IT in plain-speak, rather than “geek-speak.” I genuinely feel like hiring Digital Crisis was the best decision I’ve made for my firm. If you want an IT expert who charges reasonable rates and is not just an IT guy, but a valuable member of your team, call Zach.
Keith Morris
Founder, Surplus Attorneys
Quote icon

My Firm Runs Like a Well-Oiled Machine

I’ve worked with Zach for over 15 years. Digital Crisis takes their time to understand my practice and doesn’t try to shove a cookie-cutter system down our throat. When Digital Crisis first came in, they took the time to understand our firm and helped streamline and modernize our processes.
Kelly Forester
Senior Partner, Matthews Forester Law Firm
Quote icon

My Firm’s Efficiency DOUBLED Overnight

I thought my firm was doing just fine with my previous IT setup- boy, was I wrong! Digital Crisis came in Updated Equipment and Technology. I wish I had used them ten years earlier when I first met Zach. You will be sold immediately by their knowledge, patience, and willingness to help.
Craig Ribbeck
Senior Partner, Ribbeck Law Firm
Quote icon

Digital Crisis Saves Us Thousands Every Year

We used to enter data quarterly that would easily take an average of two weeks each quarter to enter. Then, when Digital Crisis came in, they fully automated our process, taking minutes instead of weeks to process the same data, not only faster but more accurately, removing room for human error. The new system gets things done faster and saves us thousands every year in labor alone!
Sandy Hickey
Executive Assistant, PAS Online
Quote icon

We Make Money FASTER Because of Digital Crisis

In 2010, my business had an old DOS-based server from 1995 that ran our proprietary software, which crashed. If it weren’t for Zach, we’d have to start completely over! Not only was Digital Crisis able to restore all our data, but they were also able to migrate us to a modern system which allowed us to get paid faster and work remotely.
Sandra Van der Vorm
Owner, Vansteen Marine Supply
Quote icon

They Rescued My Practice

On a Friday, my practice had to be moved immediately without any notice. Digital Crisis not only managed to come out and get our IT up and running, but they had our phones and internet up and running by Monday morning, and we didn’t lose a single day of business!  I can’t recommend Zach and his team enough.
Marietta Cline, MD
Owner, Cline Pediatrics
Quote icon

I Never Lost a Day of Work During the Pandemic

Zach truly understands my firm’s needs and always provides valuable tips and tools to make my firm run more efficiently. For example, when the COVID pandemic hit in 2020, I didn’t lose a single day of work since Digital Crisis had me set up on their cloud system, and I could remote in from anywhere.
Pamela Stewart
Owner, Law Office of Pamela Stewart

Protect Your Network Against Cyber Threats

Contact Digital Crisis for a network security consultation and ensure your business is safeguarded against cyber threats.

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.