Protecting the Crown Jewels: The Heart of Effective Cybersecurity
When it comes to cybersecurity, not all data, systems, or processes are created equal. For every organization — whether a bustling enterprise, a small business, or a mission-driven nonprofit — there are certain assets so vital that their compromise could spell disaster. We call these the “crown jewels”: the core elements that generate revenue, enable service delivery, and sustain trust.
At Mile High Cyber, we believe that identifying and protecting these crown jewels is the cornerstone of any effective cybersecurity program and penetration test. Let’s break down why these assets matter and how focusing on them shapes smarter, more resilient security strategies.
What Are Crown Jewels?
Your crown jewels are the critical assets that keep your organization running and thriving. Depending on your business or nonprofit, these might include:
For-profit organizations:
Proprietary software or intellectual property
Customer data (especially personally identifiable information or payment details)
Financial records
Critical operational systems (e.g., e-commerce platforms, manufacturing controls)
Nonprofit organizations:
Donor databases
Program delivery systems (e.g., educational platforms, healthcare apps)
Volunteer or beneficiary records
Internal communications and coordination tools
The compromise of these assets could result in lost revenue, regulatory penalties, reputational damage, or the inability to deliver on your mission.
Why Crown Jewels Should Drive Your Cybersecurity Program
Too often, organizations approach cybersecurity as a checklist exercise: apply controls, set policies, and hope for the best. But a truly effective cybersecurity program begins by asking:
What do we absolutely need to protect to survive and succeed?
When you start with crown jewels:
Your security investments are better aligned with real-world risks.
Controls are prioritized where they matter most.
Incident response plans focus on protecting what would hurt most to lose.
It’s not about trying to protect everything equally — it’s about protecting what’s essential intelligently.
Crown Jewels and Penetration Testing: Scoping That Matters
At Mile High Cyber, when we scope a penetration test, we don’t just ask how many IPs you have or how large your network is. We ask:
Where are your crown jewels?
What systems or data would attackers target to inflict maximum damage?
What would it mean for your organization if those assets were compromised?
By focusing testing on these critical assets and their supporting systems, we:
Simulate the tactics real attackers would use to go after what matters most.
Deliver actionable findings that help you defend your most valuable resources.
Ensure your security budget goes toward reducing the most impactful risks.
The Bottom Line
Every cybersecurity plan — and every penetration test — should be guided by a deep understanding of what’s at the heart of your organization’s value. Identifying and protecting your crown jewels isn’t just good security hygiene — it’s essential to your survival and success.
Let Mile High Cyber help you map your crown jewels, assess your true risks, and build a defense strategy that protects what really matters.
Get in touch today at contact@milehighcyber.com to discuss how we can tailor our services to your unique crown jewels.