Cybersecurity writers – also known as cybersecurity technical writers – are needed more than ever in the present day. In the last six months, cybercriminals have gained unauthorized access to systems nationwide. Hackers have attacked a water supply system in Florida, an oil pipeline in Texas, as well as the Microsoft software company. Most recently, there was a ransom attack on JBS USA, the world’s largest meat supplier. All of its U.S. beef plants were shut down, which many feared would threaten to raise the cost of meat on top of already high prices.
With cyberattacks on the rise, both businesses and consumers are feeling the effects. In this digital landscape where leveraging data is valuable to running a business, companies must combat the ongoing threats of cyberattacks. The lingering effects of reputation damage or loss of customers’ trust can potentially leave them in financial ruin. So, the question is: what can be done about it? Hiring a cybersecurity writer can be the security solution to prepare, protect, and prevent your data from being compromised.
In the next six months, there will be more attacks, whether on a national or international scale, so let’s discuss what a cybersecurity writer is and how they can help your business for future cyberattacks. This can be split into categories or questions known as “The Five W’s of Cybersecurity Writers”.
What is a Cybersecurity Writer?
Cybersecurity technical writers are responsible for creating strategy plans, security policies, manuals, and other deliverables. These plans must translate and communicate the complex concept of cybersecurity into simple language for internal and external audiences. With the expertise of a cybersecurity writer, executives and employees can ensure their business can function and survive before, during, and after a cyberattack takes place.
A cybersecurity writer’s job responsibilities are extensive but often include:
- Data collection
- Addressing end-user documentation gaps
- Tailoring communications strategy to amplify content and incident response learnings and guidance
- Producing articles, case studies, blogs, white papers, and presentations on the latest cybersecurity incidents, threats, trends, and techniques
- Creating, editing, and maintaining existing documentation, which can become outdated or factually inaccurate, to ensure adherence to legal and company standards
Why do Businesses Need a Cybersecurity Writer?
Businesses need a cybersecurity writer so more time can be spent on daily tasks and less time is spent on trying to sort through security measures employees may be unfamiliar with. Investing in a cybersecurity writer can increase security solutions. By ensuring the proper tools and practices are performed correctly, security strategies are tailored uniquely to your business needs. Furthermore, cybersecurity writers can keep businesses up to date on the latest trends and techniques cybercriminals are using to get to your sensitive data and how to thwart them.
Every day, cybercriminals are getting more sophisticated and clever with how they attack vulnerable systems. Even with frequent reports of constant cyberattacks, there are still many executives who use bad cybersecurity practices, leaving their businesses open to security threats. Cybersecurity writers can educate organizations and individuals about best practices for cybersecurity, including using strong passwords, keeping software up to date, and being cautious when opening emails or clicking on links. By promoting best practices, cybersecurity writers can help reduce the risk of cyberattacks.
Cybersecurity threats are constantly evolving, and cybersecurity writers can help organizations stay up to date on the latest threats and vulnerabilities. By providing relevant and timely information, cybersecurity writers can help organizations adapt their security practices to stay ahead of potential threats and vulnerabilities.
Cybersecurity is a complex and technical field, and these kinds of writers are skilled at translating complex technical jargon into easier and more comprehensible language. This makes it easier for non-technical staff and end-users to understand the importance of cybersecurity and take the necessary precautions to protect themselves and their organizations.
Another job of a cybersecurity writer is to raise awareness about the importance of cybersecurity through articles, blog posts, informational videos, and other types of content. This can help individuals and organizations understand the potential consequences of a cyberattack and motivate them to take action to protect themselves before a cyberattack happens. Protecting your company from a cyberattack is crucial in today’s digital age.
By taking these steps and hiring a cybersecurity writer, you can help protect your company from cyberattacks and minimize the potential damage if an attack does occur. It’s important to stay proactive and vigilant when it comes to cybersecurity to ensure the safety of your company’s digital assets.
Who Should Hire a Cybersecurity Writer?
If your business requires digital data to operate or handles sensitive data, then investing in a cybersecurity technical writer is a must. Every organization, regardless of its size or industry, should hire one. Large organizations need cybersecurity writers because they are proficient at handling and documenting a high volume of data that needs constant protection. If you are a small business owner, you can benefit. There are misconceptions that small businesses do not have to deal with cyberattacks as much as large corporations do. However, that is simply not true. Because some lack resources or do not properly invest in security services, small businesses are more vulnerable to cyberattacks.
Hiring a tech writer may be an added expense, but if you are unable to hire one, there are highly affordable price cybersecurity solutions available specifically for small businesses. Companies like Essential Data Corporation offer free consultations to help you assess what the cost of these services will be for your company. These solutions may include protection regarding network security, website security, endpoint security, mobile security, remote management, encryption, file security, email security, virtualization security, and other services. All in all, these benefits are well worth hiring a cybersecurity technical writer.
Where to find Technical Writers?
Businesses can find technical writers on websites like LinkedIn, Indeed, Glassdoor, and similar websites. A business can post a job opening for a cybersecurity technical writer on these sites to find someone capable of filling that role. Essential Data Corporation also has a variety of specialized technical writers ready to help meet your goals. At EDC, there is a range of technical writers with the knowledge and skills for every industry and every type of business project no matter the size. You can also find technical writing firms in your local area.
When Should You Hire a Cybersecurity Writer?
With the current state of the digital world, businesses should hire a cybersecurity technical writer as soon as possible. Like the needs of a business differ, so will the reasons you should hire a technical writer. Below is a brief list to determine if you should hire a cybersecurity technical writer.
If you need the following:
- A security plan, incident response plan, disaster recovery plan, and other strategies
- To streamline security plans that are already in place
- Cybersecurity policies and procedures to serve as a formal guide to all cybersecurity measures used in the company
- Create or develop preparation documents for user manuals, training materials, installation guides, proposals, and reports
- To collect and organize information into technical reports and proposals for an internal and external audience
- Cybersecurity log management
- Vulnerability assessment and management
- To prepare for a cybersecurity audit
- Cybersecurity training for employees
- To keep businesses up to date with the latest security solutions, threats, and compliance regulations.
- To edit functional descriptions, system specifications, or any other deliverables
The Bottom Line
In today’s digital world, every business is at risk of a cyberattack. Investing in ways to increase cybersecurity will assist with facing this constant threat. Therefore, the help of a cybersecurity technical writer is essential to preparing businesses for how to handle those threats, finding security solutions that are tailored to their business’s needs, and keeping businesses up-to-date with the latest cyber schemes. Having the right approach to how you address cyber threats will determine how well you can handle future attacks and minimize potential damage.
How can EDC help?
Cybersecurity writers play an important role in promoting cybersecurity awareness and helping organizations protect their digital assets from threats such as hacking, phishing, and malware. With over 20 years of experience, EDC can help prepare cybersecurity solutions in the healthcare, financial, manufacturing, retail, government, and educational sectors.
EDC’s expert technical writers have the skillsets and technology to help employees take the appropriate steps to protect their data against malware, ransomware, phishing, and other types of cyber threats. With Essential Data, our expert cybersecurity technical writers can create a security response plan that is ideal for your business. In addition, we can transform your technical documentation with cybersecurity solutions to improve your data security that will prepare and protect your assets. In the hectic climate of today’s cyberattacks and malware, Essential Data’s technical writers will do everything in their power to keep your company safe.
Whether you need a single technical writer for a brief project or a team of consultants to produce a complete line of documentation, the quality of our work is guaranteed for you. Our clients work closely with an Engagement Manager from one of our 30 local offices for the entire length of your project at no additional cost. Contact us at (800) 221-0093 or sales@edc.us to get started.
Written by Kimberly Jones