Dear Members:
As regulatory expectations around cybersecurity continue to rise, credit unions—including your trusted corporate partner—must treat cybersecurity not just as a technical concern, but as a core governance responsibility. The National Credit Union Administration (NCUA) has named cybersecurity one of its top supervisory priorities for 2025, underscoring the urgency of this issue across the industry.
A recent Gartner, Inc. survey reveals that 85% of CEOs view cybersecurity as critical to business growth. This statistic likely comes as no surprise. In today’s digital landscape, where threats are persistent and increasingly sophisticated, safeguarding our systems and our members’ data is no longer just a priority—it’s a fundamental necessity.
At Corporate One, we’ve gone one step further. Cybersecurity alone isn’t enough; it’s essential, but it’s only half the equation. While cybersecurity focuses on preventing attacks, cyber resiliency ensures continued operations even if an attack occurs. It’s the ability to bounce back quickly, maintain critical operations, and communicate effectively during and after an incident. Think of it this way:
Cybersecurity = Prevention
Cyber Resiliency = Continuity + Recovery
Together, they form a powerful defense strategy. Without resiliency, even the best security measures can fall short. That’s why one of Corporate One's most recent important initiatives has been the development and implementation of a comprehensive Cyber Resiliency Playbook. This strategic framework is designed to ensure we can swiftly and effectively respond to cyberattacks, minimize disruptions, maintain compliance, and—most importantly—protect our members’ data.
Our Six-Step Cyber Resiliency Framework
To ensure we’re prepared for any future scenario, we have established a six-step program that we follow and recommend:
Preparation. Just as we install smoke detectors and fire extinguishers, we prepare for cyber incidents before they happen to reduce their impact.
Detection. Monitor our systems to quickly identify if an incident has occurred.
Containment. Act fast to prevent further damage and limit the scope of the incident.
Elimination. Remove any traces of the attack from our systems.
Recovery. Restore normal operations as quickly and safely as possible.
Post-Incident Review. Document the event, analyze what happened, and strengthen our defenses to prevent future incidents.
Earlier this year, we shared a compelling case study that hit close to home—featuring our member credit union, Bayer Heritage Federal Credit Union. I highly encourage you to watch the on-demand webinar, “From Reaction to Resilience: Redefining Cybersecurity for Credit Unions,” presented by Corporate One’s Chief Information Officer, Prashanta Pradhan, alongside leaders from Bayer Heritage.
This session, part of our inaugural CU Forward virtual conference, dives deep into the concept of cyber resiliency, analyzes our six-step framework, and offers valuable insights from Bayer Heritage’s firsthand experience navigating a cyberattack. It’s a powerful reminder that resilience isn’t just a theory—it’s a real-world necessity.
Cyber threats may be inevitable, but with the right strategy, they don’t have to be disruptive. At Corporate One, we’re committed to staying ahead of the curve—protecting your data, maintaining trust, and ensuring business continuity no matter what comes our way.