We’re sharing with you twelve essential steps to better IT security. Protect your business from IT threats, identify any weak areas in your IT infrastructure, and give yourself the gift of worry-free IT throughout the year.
Here’s the best way to secure your workflow from start to finish…
“The 12 Essentials of IT Security”
1) A Security Assessment!
Have you ever performed an IT Security “Health Check”? Go over your existing security measures and see if you can spot any weaknesses, blind spots or less than secure practices that your team may be engaging in. It only takes one chink in the armour to take down the best IT systems.
2) Installing Encryption!
If you’re not applying encryption to your work files, emails or mobile devices, your network could be at risk. That means your company data could be easily intercepted and almost anyone could access it. Make sure that your sensitive data is well encrypted, and if you have remote workers, consider a virtual private network (VPN), especially if they use public Wi-Fi. A secure VPN will encrypt all files received and sent and ensure password authentication, to keep unauthorized users out.
3) Vendor Security!
Vulnerabilities can also come from outside sources. Review your vendors’ security policies and ensure that your information is safe in their hands. You might want to consider limiting their access to only the files and IT resources necessary to perform their part of the job. Keep a list of what vendors have access and to what, so you can easily trace any data leaks or breaches.
4) B-Y-O-D!
BYOD stands for “bring your own device”. To save money, many companies now allow employees to use their personal devices, such as smartphones or laptops, especially when working from home. But it’s a double-edge sword. Sure, it’s convenient to use a familiar device, but does your company have policies in place to keep your IT security intact when employees BYOD? Write out a clear policy and guidelines for using personal devices for work, like compulsory strong passwords or mandatory antivirus software.
5) Backups a Plenty!
Is your data backed up regularly to somewhere secure, like cloud storage or a virtual private server (VPS)? The best way to protect your company from catastrophic data loss is by regularly scheduled backups. These backups could be manual or automatic but should be done a minimum of once a week, but preferably every 24 hours.
6) Software Updating!
Security software is great at eliminating threats, but only if you keep it updated. New viruses are detected every day. The only way to keep up is to routinely install all antivirus and computer updates. You never know when critical patches may be needed to keep malicious software off your company devices.
7) Collaborate with Your Team!
Whether you have an internal IT team or an IT solutions provider, make sure you touch base with them regularly, to address security concerns. Ransomware, for instance, is a big threat to businesses big and small and the only way to keep on top of the latest developments, and possible preventative solutions, is to collaborate with your IT experts.
8) Perfected Passwords!
Many ransomware attacks and phishing attempts can be prevented by maintaining strong passwords. Weak passwords are those that contain easy to access information, such as your birthdate, pet’s names or places you’ve visited. One trip to someone’s social media and those bits of info could be easily snapped up. Stronger passwords are more complex and unique. Even better, are password “sentences” that are much more difficult to guess. Or use multi-factor authentication that requires at least 2-3 pieces of evidence to access, such as a fob, PIN, personal phone number or badge number.
9) A Security Culture!
Have you created a training process to teach employees about the importance of data security, how to spot threats and corporate security policies? The best way to foster a company culture that prioritizes IT security is to provide appropriate education to all employees, including in-office and remote workers. If you haven’t already, create a written guide of all your security policies. Make sure to include clear guidelines on what’s expected of employees when it comes to security measures and using company or personal devices for work.
10) Web Security!
A secure web gateway (SWG) adds an extra layer of protection against email and online threats. It protects the user, and the network that is being accessed, by monitoring users’ activities, to ensure it complies with corporate security policies. This prevents employees from accessing malicious websites. Consider using this sort of gateway if workers are telecommuting and need to access the internet from home or while travelling.
11) Mindful Mobile Use!
According to FierceMobileIT, 71% of workers admit to spending over two hours a week accessing company information on a mobile phone. That makes security risks that much higher, as employers can’t always guarantee that these personal devices are being used safely and responsibly. Ask yourself, do your employees know how to identify threats on mobile phones, and do they understand how to keep your data safe when they use them for work? Whether it’s an assigned device owned by the business or a personal device, it’s important to communicate a clear company policy regarding safe mobile use.
12) A Firewall a Flaming!
The best way to protect your internal network and to monitor its traffic is to implement a firewall on all devices used for work. If you’re not using a strong firewall already, it is highly recommended that you make a policy with your IT team that all devices should have one installed and caution employees to not turn it off without consulting your IT staff. This is a great protection measure against many viruses, malicious websites, and phishing programs, and you should communicate to all your employees the importance of using deterrent measures like antivirus and firewalls.
Maintaining IT security is an ongoing battle. But follow these twelve steps and you will be that much closer to a secure workflow, fewer security incidences and a stronger IT infrastructure that protects your data from unauthorized users.
It’s the gift to your business that keeps on giving peace of mind throughout the year!
Looking for an IT team to support your business? Take a look at our IT Services, such as security monitoring and our locally based IT Help Desk.