It's no secret that information security is important for businesses of all types and sizes. In today's interconnected world, data breaches can have a devastating impact on companies, costing them money, customers, and their reputation.
That's why it's so important for businesses to have strong IT security practices in place. Industry-standard security measures can help businesses protect their data and reduce the risk of a breach.
So, what are some of the basic IT security measures that businesses should be taking?
Let's take a look.
Continuous Software Updates and Patching
One of the most important things businesses can do to improve their security is to keep their software up to date. Outdated software is one of the most common ways that hackers gain access to systems. By making sure all software is up to date, businesses can close off this potential avenue of attack.
What does patching software do for your business?
• It helps close off potential avenues of attack that hackers can exploit
• It helps prevent data breaches and exposure of confidential customer data
• It helps avoid the risk of censure due to a lack of compliance with industry and legislative data privacy mandates
Automated Password Management
Passwords should be long, complex, and unique, and they should also be changed on a regular basis. Using a password manager (a piece of software that automates password creation and use) can help businesses keep track of passwords and ensure they are using strong ones.
A strong password:
• Is at least 8 characters long
• Contains a mix of upper and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols
• Is not a dictionary word or easily guessed
• Is not reused on other sites
• Is changed regularly
Multi-Factor Authentication
MFA (Multi-factor Authentication) adds an extra layer of security by requiring users to provide more than one form of proof of their identity to access company software or data.
The "extra layer of security" used in MFA can include:
• Something you know: A password or PIN
• Something you have: A physical token or key, or a code sent to your phone
• Something you are: A fingerprint or other biometric data
Using MFA can help businesses protect their data and reduce the risk of a breach. It's an especially good idea for businesses that deal with sensitive data, such as financial information.
Data Security and Data Backups
Restricting access to data is another key security measure. businesses should only give employees access to the data they need to do their jobs. This limits the potential damage that can be done if an employee's account is compromised.
Data backups should be:
• Consistent
• Regular
• Automated
• Verified
A critical part of data security is encryption - a process of transforming data so that it can only be read by authorised users. This is done using a special key or password.
Encrypting data can help businesses protect their information in the event of a breach. It can also help businesses meet compliance requirements, such as the EU's General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).
Security Monitoring and Alerts
Security monitoring is the process of continuously monitoring a system for security events. This can be done manually or using automated tools. Alerts can be configured to notify administrators of potential security issues so they can be investigated and addressed.
Monitoring and alerts are important because they can help businesses detect security breaches early. This allows businesses to take action to mitigate the damage and minimise the impact on their operations.
Our cybersecurity monitoring tools help identify anomalies that may indicate the presence of:
• Suspicious activity on accounts
• Unusual login activity
• Attempts to access restricted data
• Brute force attacks
• Denial of service attacks
• Malware detections
• Changes to system files or configurations
IT Security Incident Response
Finally, businesses should have a plan in place for how to respond to a security incident. This plan should include provisions for:
Containing the damage
The first step in any incident response plan is to "stop the bleeding." This may involve isolating affected systems, disconnecting from the network, or taking other steps to prevent the issue from spreading.
Mitigating the risk of further damage
This may involve changing passwords, revoking access to sensitive data, or taking other steps to protect company assets.
Investigating the incident
This may include looking at system logs, reviewing network traffic, or analysing malware samples. The goal is to understand what happened and how to prevent it from happening again.
Restoring IT access as well as any lost data
Restoring IT access after a breach can be a complex and time-consuming process. Depending on the extent of the attack, the preparations made ahead of the attack, and the damage caused, restoration can take as little as a few hours, be accomplished over a longer timeframe, or be impossible altogether. The restoration plan should include steps for:
- Restoring from backups
- Reinforcing security controls
- Communicating with stakeholders
- Reviewing the incident response plan moving forward
Cybersecurity breaches can have a major impact on businesses. They can lead to lost data, downtime, and reputational damage. By having a plan in place, businesses can minimise the damage and get back up and running as quickly as possible.
If you're looking for an IT partner who can help secure your environment, Zarbtech can offer you the experience and expertise you need to help keep your business safe. Contact our team to learn more about our cybersecurity services.
