Easy Tricks to Improve IT Security
A secure cybersecurity foundation is vital for any business, regardless of its size. Without it, businesses are left susceptible to dangerous threats. Whether you’re a giant conglomerate or an independent business running out of your garage, don't overlook the importance of safe cyber practices!
Implementing the proper cyber security safeguards may feel overwhelming, especially if you’re just launching your business. Don’t panic! By installing the basic foundations of an IT infrastructure, you will be well-equipped to protect yourself and your organization from any digital threats that come your way.
To ensure that the cybersecurity of your business is safe and sound, here are some simple yet successful steps you can take.
1. Establish a culture of what vs. who
One of the most damaging repercussions of any cybersecurity breach is the rift it can create within a team. Fingers are often pointed, and the blame game begins which is precisely what hackers strive to achieve; they want discord and disarray. Instead of accusing one another, ask "What went wrong?" It's a healthier approach than trying to determine who was responsible for triggering the attack in the first place.
By shifting the conversation to focus on managing the issue, instead of assigning blame for its occurrence, your team can identify and solve problems in a shorter amount of time. This will ultimately help create an even tighter unit as employees collaborate together without feeling blamed or singled out. With the correct mindset, not only is your business better positioned to handle cybersecurity threats quickly and effectively but it also strengthens relationships between people within the organization. Working with each other rather than against one another boosts productivity and results in greater success across all areas!
2. Have a dynamic game plan
If you aim to succeed in any venture, having a carefully crafted strategy is the key. This will provide guidance and create achievable goals for success. It's not about being perfect but rather finding alternatives if something goes wrong along the way. Through this method of preparation, your plan remains optimized with victory as its ultimate goal!
As your business grows and evolves, so must your cybersecurity measures. A reliable and adjustable template will guarantee the safety of your company while providing room for modifications as needed. This way you can maintain a secure environment without having to sacrifice flexibility or peace of mind.
Rather than the usual reactive approach to cybersecurity, this method encourages a preventive way of thinking. Companies have been left in the dark after an attack takes place, scrambling to contain and evaluate what happened. Instead of waiting for a cyber-attack to occur, why not think ahead and resolve any upcoming issues before they become detrimental? This forward-thinking strategy puts you one step ahead of conceivable malicious threats so that you're never playing catch-up again.
To craft an effective cybersecurity blueprint, you must be aware of the various threats that your industry is likely to encounter. Thus, create a comprehensive list identifying what common attacks can harm which piece of technology in your network and their subsequent damages.
To ensure your equipment is properly safeguarded, establish the necessary measures such as data encryption, perimeter defense, access control, and more. To get the most value out of this process it's best to collaborate with an IT department or utilize the services of a trustworthy Managed Service Provider (MSP). They can help to accurately determine which steps should be taken and how they can best integrate into existing systems for optimal safety.
3. Develop good password management
IT experts warn us incessantly about the importance of properly managing our passwords and for good reason. Without proper security measures, most people will neglect password management, or even if they try to be diligent in the short term, they eventually revert back to their old habits.
By implementing the correct password practices, your team can help be safeguarded from cyber threats. As a rule of thumb, hackers will likely go for the path of least resistance; if it's too hard to get into your data, they'll typically look somewhere else! With proper security measures in place and by making attempts to gain access more challenging on their end, you can be better protected from malicious actors.
If you're anything like most people, you have a lot of passwords that get used often. Unfortunately, the only way to stay safe online is by making sure each and every website or service has its own individual complex password. We understand this may seem tedious but it's essential if we want to be safeguarded against potential dangers lurking on the internet. Outsmart any malicious activities; start creating unique passwords as soon as possible!
By utilizing a password manager for organizing, creating, and regularly refreshing your passwords, you can have more peace of mind to focus your efforts where it matters. Outdated credentials are more susceptible to being hacked than new ones, so try and switch up your passwords every three months to provide extra protection.
4. Use MFA
MFA, or multi-factor authentication, is a powerful tool for safeguarding yourself in the digital space. Although it may take longer than other methods, investing more time and energy into this measure can play a big part in protecting your sensitive data efficiently.
If you're looking for a secure MFA option, researching the right solution is essential. Some solutions are more vulnerable to social engineering techniques than others, so choosing carefully can make all the difference in protecting yourself and your team. Carefully consider which type of MFA will suit your needs best before committing to one particular choice.
5. Minimizing social engineering vulnerabilities
An abundance of current cyber threats stem from social engineering, so if you can neutralize or adequately control the risk associated with these attacks, your cybersecurity worries can be significantly reduced.
Social engineering schemes often aim to deceive the victim into providing valuable information, which can be utilized to steal something of worth. If you wish to combat this widespread form of criminal activity, knowledge is your strongest weapon.
Staying informed about the numerous forms of cyberattacks will be essential in protecting yourself from them, as you're likely to cross paths with a number of attempts. Knowing what these digital threats look like is key to continuing your business operations securely. Not only can this prevent any further damage, but it also provides an opportunity to spread knowledge and heighten cybersecurity awareness within communities.
6. Mending software and hardware weaknesses
Cybercrime is a rampant problem, and software/hardware are two of the most important aspects to secure in your cybersecurity infrastructure. Keeping them up-to-date with strong defenses goes a long way in protecting you against potential cyberattacks.
It pays to identify the areas cybercriminals target, as that can help prevent any potential attacks before they occur. The Cybersecurity Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) has compiled a comprehensive list of the most commonly exploited software vulnerabilities known as the Known Exploited Vulnerabilities Catalog and an additional list of hardware weaknesses called Common Weakness Enumeration (CWE) Most Important Hardware Weaknesses List. Having a thorough understanding of these two lists can be really helpful if you want to stay ahead in terms of your cybersecurity proficiency.
Cybersecurity can be an intimidating and overwhelming endeavor, however, having the appropriate tools can help bolster your success. No matter how vigilant you are, there is never a guarantee that you won't fall prey to malicious hackers or cyber threats, but with these simple steps in place, it can significantly reduce the odds of such occurrences.
PCS is a world-class leader in protecting data & identity for businesses and non-profits. We provide a critical service to businesses and non-profits by managing cybersecurity risks, including ransomware, crypto walkers, phishing emails, and other evolving cyber crimes. See how IT services can benefit your company.