Combating network threats and keeping important, sensitive data secure is one of our most important tasks in the modern business environment. Below we talk about a few additional ideas you can use to combat network threats and keep your sensitive company and customer data safe from prying, unauthorized eyes.
By developing network security practices within your business, you can protect the usability and integrity of your data, and keep malicious activity out.
Design and implement policies and rules concerning data usage
Develop specific rules and regulations concerning the use of sensitive company and customer information. Ensure all users sign legal documents specifying they’ve read and understand specific company rules and regulations concerning the use of all information. Communicate and implement penalties for individuals or organizations breaking the rules and changes being implemented to ensure no future problems. Among these policies, create a data loss prevention plan and a disaster recovery plan. The first will limit data loss incidents from occurring, and the latter will give your company an immediate plan of action when a disaster occurs — whether in the form of a virus, breach natural disaster, human error, or other security or data loss event. Additionally, have processes in place for organizational changes, such as employee turnover. When an employee leaves, exit procedures should be followed to restrict access and change login information.
Implement network access control
Don’t stop at simply setting regulations. Ensure they are being held up by implementing digital safeguards like network access control and computer generated passwords. Network access control allows you to ensure each network device is recognized so that you can block ones that aren’t. In addition, it allows you to set limited access as needed, depending on clearances within your organization. This will ensure greater security for highly sensitive or vital business data that doesn’t need to be in the hands of every employee within your company.
Use antivirus software diligently
Cybercriminals use a variety of methods to lure you into giving up your private information, business data, and passwords. This means employee training may not be enough to prevent viruses, worms, ransomware, Trojans and spyware. Use antivirus software and firewalls across all parts of your network to stay alert to threats and breaches. Remember that installing this software isn’t enough — you’ll also need to perform regular updates to keep it functioning optimally, or vulnerabilities could make room for threats to break through.
Monitor data use to combat network threats
Implement a system allowing for consistent and constant monitoring of the company network and the use of all sensitive company data. Review all usage reports weekly, or even daily to stay abreast of suspicious activity, whether linked to breaches or malware attacks. If you use a cloud backup provider to keep restorable backups of your data on-hand 24/7, they may provide daily email backup reports that can alert you to a sudden spike in the creation or changing of files (an indication of virus-related activity). Continually reviewing usage reports will also allow you to make changes in the way data is used and secured. If you notice certain employees or departments have access to files they never open or use, consider restricting access so that you have better control over the information within the network.
Protect restricted areas
If you have on-site servers, set up a system of I.D cards, or of accessing areas housing all monitors and computers, to limit, control and monitor the use of the company network. The implementation of this system should stop most individuals from trying or even consider using important, sensitive data improperly. If you’re managing your servers off-site or through a third-party provider, ensure that they are also doing their due diligence to set physical and digital safeguards so that only approved individuals are granted access to the restricted areas where your data lives.
Backup and store data online with cloud backup firm
If and when network threats, or any other digital, human, or physical threat breaks through your defenses, you need to have a backup plan. Make regular backup copies of all files and store in a fireproof room or safe located at a separate, secure facility. You should also implement the online storage and information recovery services of a proven, trusted cloud backup company, both for faster deployment of restored files after a data loss incident, and to be relied upon should your physical device backups fail.
Improve teaching and training of employees and users
Human error is still one of the most frequent threats within an organization. A simple mistake could lead to data loss, or permit entry to a virus. Train and teach employees to recognize, understand and combat network threats by hosting training sessions and sending out regular reminders. This allows for the inclusion of individual responsibility in keeping data safe and secure. It also allows firms to stress the importance of securing all business and personal information to all employees and users.
Implement strong passwords and encrypt data
Restrict access to sensitive company and customer data through a strong system of computer-generated passwords that are changed on a regular basis. This method will ensure password strength, as opposed to entrusting less tech-savvy employees to create secure passwords. You should also encrypt all data, both active and archived, using at least 256-bit encryption and train users and employees to secure all terminals after use.
Combating network threats should always be a top priority when sensitive company and customer information is on the line. By implementing the ideas discussed above you can stay constantly in the loop on potential threats and invasions, prevent threats before they manifest, and fill any holes in your security protocols new threats could take advantage of.
Give your network a security check-up to see which problem areas you should tackle first.
