Page 22 - Cyber Defense eMagazine February 2024

Marketplace

As we source products to deliver and support the critical infrastructure sector of manufacturing, and
aluminum in particular, we conduct very detailed information and analysis of supply and demand data,
our competitors, and relevant trends affecting our business.

That includes both upstream and downstream verticals, as our vendors, customers, and related providers
are constantly engaged in mergers and acquisitions.

Government

Any organization operating in an industry subject to State and federal laws and regulations, or doing
business directly with any level of government, or receiving any funding from government sources,
inevitably faces requirements to comply with some form of statute or regulation.

We conduct an ongoing review of the places where our operations intersect with these types of
requirements.

Of the three branches of government, our general approach is to work directly with the agencies of the
executive branch first, since that is where laws are applied and enforced and where regulations are
promulgated.

In the event of conflicts in public policy priorities, or inconsistencies in legislation, we occasionally provide
information to legislators where that may assist them in making needed changes to statutory law.

In general, we prefer to avoid the costly and lengthy judicial process, but we do follow legal actions taken
by others in our industry, including the trade associations of which we are members or supporters.

Community

Last, but never least, we work to support and coordinate our activities with the communities where we
have operations or where others in our industry can do so. We encourage our company leaders and all
employees to be active in their own communities. It’s just good business.

Conclusions

Cybersecurity is a growing and well-recognized element of every successful business. Its importance is
demonstrated by the awareness of top management and directors of organizations, and further reflected
in the budget and staffing provisions in this area.

The CISO does not exist in a vacuum, and the successful integration of cybersecurity into the
organization’s overall activities depends on navigating a broad two-way street: the CISO must keep

Cyber Defense eMagazine – February 2024 Edition 22
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