Certainly you value your clients, and you want to do everything possible to protect them from a cyber-breach that would threaten their sensitive data. You have worked too hard over the years to let cyber criminals ruin your track record and your reputation. But what can you do to fight against malicious cyber villains and protect your clients from the brunt force of their attacks?
Fortunately, there are steps that can be taken to significantly strengthen your odds against cyber threats. Here is a short list of five safeguards that can be implemented to help ward off the criminals.
Use endpoint protection (formerly anti-virus software).
Modern day endpoint protection will search and remove harmful viruses and malware that infect your devices and make your data susceptible to attacks.
Employ the use of dual-factor authentication.
This type of authentication, also called two-factor authentication, adds an extra layer of protection when accessing a particular account. By requiring the user to enter not only the password, but also a second verification factor, the risk of attack is decreased.
Use a firewall.
So-called firewalls can come in various forms, including hardware, software, or a combination of both, and are effective in regulating the secure passage of information between the internet and a computer network or organization. There are three types, which vary in effectiveness with different network sizes. Regardless of the size of your network or the type of firewall installed, it is always important to ensure proper configuration to eliminate loopholes. A loophole of any size can enable a cyber criminal to penetrate your system.
Be sure to always back-up your data.
Potential data loss is a nightmare that we all have about our work, regardless of cyber security issues. When the threat of attacks is factored into the mix, the importance of backup files increases exponentially. It is essential to develop and store files in a secure location that can be accessed easily in the event of a virus or another event that causes the loss or unavailability of data.
Educate staff about phishing lures, as you increase training in best practices for cyber security.
The human factor is often considered to be the weakest link in network cyber security. Too often we assume that our employees are up-to-date with policies and procedures that will protect our clients’ data. Regular training sessions and reviews should be part of your managed services cyber security action plan.
There are many ways that cyber criminals threaten our workplaces and our clients. We must be vigilant in taking and updating all security measures in order to protect them from the effects of an attack.
Want to make sure your IT security practices are up to date?
Contact B Suite today!
