Cyber Security
Essential Recommendations for Business IT Security
One of the key factors that effects almost every business with a digital profile is IT security. It’s a constant challenge to get right whether you are a small start-up or a large corporation.
Unfortunately, there are organised criminal gangs in this world who are fixed on trying to do us harm. It’s something that has been with us since the birth of the internet.
The biggest question we get asked at Cyan Solutions, is what best practice can be employed to ensure better business IT security.
Here’s a list of things you can do right now to help protect your business:
1. Don’t Assume It Won’t Happen to You
This is something we find with many SMEs. They think they’re too small for hackers to worry about. It’s simply not true.
Most attacks come through automated delivery such as Phishing email. The hackers and malware developers are looking for someone, anyone whose system they can get into. Whether you are just a one-person outfit or have many staff, treat cybersecurity with the same level of seriousness as you do other aspects of your business.
According to a recent report by Verizon, 71% of cyberattacks happen to smaller companies with less than 100 staff on the payroll. That is in part because there are more of them but the clear message is to be aware and have robust cybersecurity policies in place.
2. Use a Firewall
The first line of defence against cyberattacks is an effective business-grade firewall. Think of this as a barrier that repels common attacks and prevents malicious threats getting to your network. Companies often neglect to invest in this area as they don’t understand the importance of good perimeter security. They assume a generic router does the same job, it doesn’t. You need to improve network security measures if you want to remain safe online.
And, it’s not just external firewalls that are important – if you have sections of your network that contain sensitive data, for example, you may want to protect these with additional cybersecurity measures.
3. The Challenge of BYOD
Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) has largely been accepted in the business world over the last decade after some initial reticence by employers. It can often be easier for an employee to use their own smartphone or tablet or even laptop to do their work.
The trouble is that these are not generally as secure as the hardware and software that you have for your business. Staff can download the wrong apps or visit the wrong sites that open them (and your business) to potential cyberattack.
This is something that is unlikely to change in the future. BYOD offers too many benefits. The challenge is to make sure that mobile devices are updated with the right security and that staff understand their obligations.
4. Having Comprehensive Cybersecurity Policies
This brings us to the strategy for your cybersecurity protection. All businesses, whatever their size, need to have a robust set of policies that staff can adhere to. Many smaller companies do this in an ad-hoc manner which can mean their business IT security is missing vital core components. Ensure that you document your policies and make them readily available to all members of staff – including senior managers and executive teams.
5. Password Protection
It might seem like a simple thing to include in a best practice list but passwords are a real issue for businesses. Enforcing a robust policy in this area is important and could well protect your business from cyberattack. Passwords should ideally include upper- and lower-case letters, symbols and numbers. For more sensitive areas of your business, you also want to consider multi-factor identification.
It might seem like a simple thing to include in a best practice list but passwords are a real issue for businesses. Enforcing a robust policy in this area is important and could well protect your business from cyberattack.
Passwords – when implemented correctly – are an easy and effective way to prevent unauthorised access to systems. Always change the default password that comes with a new device.
If two-factor authentication is available, make sure it is enabled and use it. A common and effective example of this involves a code sent to your smartphone which you must enter in addition to your password.
6. Educating Staff
One failing, particularly for smaller businesses, is not educating their staff on the right IT security protocols. There’s plenty of evidence to suggest that, even if a company has a password policy in place, in the majority of cases it is not enforced.
You have to bring your staff into the loop and make sure they are well educated with regards to cybersecurity risks. For example, User Awareness Training is a great way to educate staff to the dangers of email threats, such as Phishing attacks, which are not always easy to identify.
7. Regularly Update Your Devices and Software
It’s quite worrying the number of small and midsize businesses that do not make the effort to patch their systems, devices and software. Manufacturers release regular updates which not only add new features, but also fix security vulnerabilities that have been discovered. Applying these updates (a process known as patching) is one of the most important things you can do to improve security.
8. The Right Level of Protection
Finally, the fight against cyberattacks is a never-ending battle and you should have the appropriate virus and anti-malware software in place which is regularly updated. One big mistake businesses make is to assume that standard anti-virus software alone is adequate protection for their needs. How security should be tailored to better protect your organisation is something you need to discuss with your IT provider. Understanding what threats are targeting and putting additional layers of security in place to protect against them is an essential part to any cybersecurity strategy.
At Cyan Solutions, we deliver cutting edge IT services and support. If you want access to the best cybersecurity expertise for your business, tailored to your needs, contact our team today.
Categories
- Case Study
- Charities
- Cloud Computing
- 10 Ways to be More Productive with Microsoft 365
- Cloud Based Services for Business
- Top Cloud Computing Trends
- Myth-busting Cloud Technology
- Technology to Minimise the Disruption Of School Holidays
- Cyan delivers a tailored cloud based solution
- Managing Security With Remote Workers
- What Are The Benefits Of GDPR?
- The biggest risk for data breaches is your employees
- Is your business prepared for bad weather?
- How technology innovation can improve efficiencies for charities
- How internet of things is shaping the workplace of the future
- Does a lack of cloud computing standards compromise its use?
- Common places where SMEs slip-up when using the cloud
- Things to consider before choosing a cloud platform
- Just how secure is the cloud? (Spoiler: Very.)
- Reasons to consider remote working
- Cloud computing terms – what do they even mean?
- Essential time-saving apps for SMEs
- Cyber Security
- “How Strong Is My Password?”
- Industry News Roundup December 2020
- Shocking Cyber Security Stats 2020
- How Staff Accidentally Help Hackers Steal Sensitive Data
- A quick guide to keep personal devices secure
- Three super simple things you can do now to protect your business
- Have You Considered These Risks to Your Business?
- Cyan Approved to Join NCSC Cyber Information Security Partnership (CiSP)
- What Is Cyber Insurance and Does My Business Need It?
- What Is Ransomware and How Should I Protect My Business?
- The End of Life for Windows 7
- What is Cyber Essentials and Why is it Great For Your Business?
- The Cyber Security Basics You Should be Covering Now
- How to Create a Cyber Security Policy for Your Business
- 3 Reasons Businesses Are Still Getting Their Cyber Security Wrong
- Cyber Security Risks You Need to Focus on in 2020
- Cyber Security Services
- Remote and Fully Managed IT Support Tailored To Your Needs
- IT Security Strategy: What You Need to Know
- Essential Recommendations for Business IT Security
- How Often Should You Audit Your Business Cybersecurity?
- Managing Cybersecurity Solutions for SMEs
- Cybercrime Is On The Increase
- Monitoring The Dark Web To Stop Security Breaches Fast
- How to protect your business against phishing scams
- Disaster Recovery
- GDPR
- Myth-busting Cloud Technology
- Using The Cloud For Your Disaster Recovery Strategy
- How to Make Sure Your Staff Don’t Breach Your Data Security
- What Are The Benefits Of GDPR?
- Monitoring The Dark Web To Stop Security Breaches Fast
- The biggest risk for data breaches is your employees
- The Dos And Don’ts Around Consent For GDPR Compliance
- Plan. Create. Maintain for GDPR compliance
- Checklist For GDPR Compliance – Are You Ready?
- The Financial Impact and Gains Of GDPR
- What You Need To Know About GDPR: 6 Key Principles
- How GDPR affects charities
- The Data Protection Law Is Changing: What Does Your Business Need To Do?
- IT Budget
- IT Help Desk
- IT Infrastructure
- The End of Life for Windows 7
- What is a Typical IT Budget for a Small or Midsize Business?
- Digital Transformation Of Social Housing – Top Five Trends
- How and Why You Should Use Scalable Technology Infrastructure
- Driving Business Growth Through IT Infrastructure
- How Cyan Solutions Helped Toto Energy drive rapid Growth
- IT Security
- “How Strong Is My Password?”
- Industry News Roundup August 2020
- Keep devices protected while remote-working
- Have You Considered These Risks to Your Business?
- Cyan Approved to Join NCSC Cyber Information Security Partnership (CiSP)
- What Is Cyber Insurance and Does My Business Need It?
- What Is Ransomware and How Should I Protect My Business?
- The End of Life for Windows 7
- What is Cyber Essentials and Why is it Great For Your Business?
- The Cyber Security Basics You Should be Covering Now
- How to Create a Cyber Security Policy for Your Business
- 3 Reasons Businesses Are Still Getting Their Cyber Security Wrong
- Cyber Security Risks You Need to Focus on in 2020
- Cyber Security Services
- IT Security Strategy: What You Need to Know
- Essential Recommendations for Business IT Security
- How Often Should You Audit Your Business Cybersecurity?
- Managing Cybersecurity Solutions for SMEs
- Top 5 Ways To Avoid Phishing Emails
- Key Technology Trends Impacting the Energy Sector
- Top Benefits of Outsourcing Your IT Requirements
- Using The Cloud For Your Disaster Recovery Strategy
- Managing Security With Remote Workers
- Our Guide To IT Budgeting
- How to Make Sure Your Staff Don’t Breach Your Data Security
- Driving Business Growth Through IT Infrastructure
- Plan. Create. Maintain for GDPR compliance
- Flaw in Intel Chips Puts Millions of Computers At Risk
- Does a lack of cloud computing standards compromise its use?
- 10 basic (but essential) business tech security tips
- Just how secure is the cloud? (Spoiler: Very.)
- Cloud computing terms – what do they even mean?
- Essential time-saving apps for SMEs
- IT Services
- 10 Questions to Ask About Your IT Service Provider in 2020
- Virtual CIO Services
- Cloud Based Services for Business
- What is a Typical IT Budget for a Small or Midsize Business?
- Does Outsourcing Mean IT Cost Reduction
- Tips for Finding the Best IT Consulting Solutions
- Top Benefits of Outsourcing Your IT Requirements
- Cyan delivers a tailored cloud based solution
- What support should you expect from your IT provider
- IT Strategy
- IT KPI’s to track and measure
- IT Strategy Template 2021
- Why Your Business Needs an IT Strategy
- Why you should be making plans to implement remote working long-term
- Continuity Checklist
- Have You Considered These Risks to Your Business?
- The End of Life for Windows 7
- What to Include in Your IT Strategy in 2020
- What Does Digital Transformation Mean for Your Business in 2020?
- Remote and Fully Managed IT Support Tailored To Your Needs
- Essential Recommendations for Business IT Security
- What is a Typical IT Budget for a Small or Midsize Business?
- Does Outsourcing Mean IT Cost Reduction
- Is Your IT Spending Under Control?
- IT Budget Planning Mistakes You Should Avoid
- What is Your IT Strategy?
- Tips for Finding the Best IT Consulting Solutions
- Embrace New Technology with an IT Transformation Strategy
- Do Your Employees Understand Your IT Business Strategy?
- Digital Transformation Of Social Housing – Top Five Trends
- Top 5 Ways To Avoid Phishing Emails
- Key Technology Trends Impacting the Energy Sector
- Cybercrime Is On The Increase
- Essential Data Back-Up & Disaster Recovery Tips
- Using The Cloud For Your Disaster Recovery Strategy
- Harnessing Technology to Enhance Housing Associations Performance
- Why Your Phone System is an Essential Part of Your Technology Strategy
- Driving Business Growth Through IT Infrastructure
- The Dos And Don’ts Around Consent For GDPR Compliance
- The Importance Of Having A Good Technology Strategy
- Things to consider before choosing a cloud platform
- IT Support
- 10 Questions to Ask About Your IT Service Provider in 2020
- Remote and Fully Managed IT Support Tailored To Your Needs
- What is a Typical IT Budget for a Small or Midsize Business?
- Does Outsourcing Mean IT Cost Reduction
- Tips for Finding the Best IT Consulting Solutions
- Key Technology Trends Impacting the Energy Sector
- Top Benefits of Outsourcing Your IT Requirements
- What support should you expect from your IT provider
- How your customers benefit from using a smart meter
- Microsoft Office 365
- A Day in the Life of a Managing Director
- Industry News Roundup December 2020
- 10 Ways to be More Productive with Microsoft 365
- Digital Transformation Of Social Housing – Top Five Trends
- Key Technology Trends Impacting the Energy Sector
- Top Benefits of Outsourcing Your IT Requirements
- Managing Volunteer Teams Through Good Technology
- Microsoft Office 365: Discounts and Subscriptions for Charities
- How technology innovation can improve efficiencies for charities
- News
- Industry News Roundup December 2020
- Industry News Roundup August 2020
- Industry News for July 2020: Remote Working
- Have You Considered These Risks to Your Business?
- Cyan Approved to Join NCSC Cyber Information Security Partnership (CiSP)
- What Is Cyber Insurance and Does My Business Need It?
- What Is Ransomware and How Should I Protect My Business?
- The End of Life for Windows 7
- What is Cyber Essentials and Why is it Great For Your Business?
- The Cyber Security Basics You Should be Covering Now
- How to Create a Cyber Security Policy for Your Business
- 3 Reasons Businesses Are Still Getting Their Cyber Security Wrong
- Cyber Security Risks You Need to Focus on in 2020
- What to Include in Your IT Strategy in 2020
- 10 Questions to Ask About Your IT Service Provider in 2020
- What Does Digital Transformation Mean for Your Business in 2020?
- IT Security Strategy: What You Need to Know
- Essential Recommendations for Business IT Security
- How Often Should You Audit Your Business Cybersecurity?
- Managing Cybersecurity Solutions for SMEs
- What is a Typical IT Budget for a Small or Midsize Business?
- Does Outsourcing Mean IT Cost Reduction
- Is Your IT Spending Under Control?
- IT Budget Planning Mistakes You Should Avoid
- What is Your IT Strategy?
- Tips for Finding the Best IT Consulting Solutions
- Embrace New Technology with an IT Transformation Strategy
- Do Your Employees Understand Your IT Business Strategy?
- Digital Transformation Of Social Housing – Top Five Trends
- Top 5 Ways To Avoid Phishing Emails
- Key Technology Trends Impacting the Energy Sector
- Top Cloud Computing Trends
- Myth-busting Cloud Technology
- Top Benefits of Outsourcing Your IT Requirements
- How and Why You Should Use Scalable Technology Infrastructure
- Cybercrime Is On The Increase
- Essential Data Back-Up & Disaster Recovery Tips
- Technology to Minimise the Disruption Of School Holidays
- Cyan delivers a tailored cloud based solution
- Using The Cloud For Your Disaster Recovery Strategy
- Managing Security With Remote Workers
- Our Guide To IT Budgeting
- What support should you expect from your IT provider
- How Blockchain Gives Transparency to Charity Spending
- How to Make Sure Your Staff Don’t Breach Your Data Security
- Harnessing Technology to Enhance Housing Associations Performance
- Why Your Phone System is an Essential Part of Your Technology Strategy
- What Are The Benefits Of GDPR?
- Monitoring The Dark Web To Stop Security Breaches Fast
- Driving Business Growth Through IT Infrastructure
- The biggest risk for data breaches is your employees
- Why Use A Virtual CIO?
- Is your business prepared for bad weather?
- The Dos And Don’ts Around Consent For GDPR Compliance
- The Importance Of Having A Good Technology Strategy
- Plan. Create. Maintain for GDPR compliance
- Checklist For GDPR Compliance – Are You Ready?
- The Financial Impact and Gains Of GDPR
- Managing Volunteer Teams Through Good Technology
- What You Need To Know About GDPR: 6 Key Principles
- How GDPR affects charities
- How your customers benefit from using a smart meter
- The Data Protection Law Is Changing: What Does Your Business Need To Do?
- Microsoft Office 365: Discounts and Subscriptions for Charities
- How to protect your business against phishing scams
- Flaw in Intel Chips Puts Millions of Computers At Risk
- What even is a blockchain?
- 7 must-have apps and software that aid remote working
- How Cyan Solutions Helped Toto Energy drive rapid Growth
- How technology innovation can improve efficiencies for charities
- How internet of things is shaping the workplace of the future
- Does a lack of cloud computing standards compromise its use?
- Some of the most innovative applications of VR by businesses we’ve seen so far
- Common places where SMEs slip-up when using the cloud
- Tips to be more mobile friendly
- Cyan delivers sustainable solutions and increases confidence in IT at Sands
- Will AI ever completely replace human customer service?
- 10 basic (but essential) business tech security tips
- Things to consider before choosing a cloud platform
- How artificial intelligence will affect future business
- Just how secure is the cloud? (Spoiler: Very.)
- Reasons to consider remote working
- Cloud computing terms – what do they even mean?
- Essential time-saving apps for SMEs
- Telecommunications
- Virtual CIO
- Virtual CIO Services
- Is Your IT Spending Under Control?
- IT Budget Planning Mistakes You Should Avoid
- What is Your IT Strategy?
- Tips for Finding the Best IT Consulting Solutions
- Embrace New Technology with an IT Transformation Strategy
- Do Your Employees Understand Your IT Business Strategy?
- Driving Business Growth Through IT Infrastructure
- Why Use A Virtual CIO?