With the workplace landscape seemingly becoming more and more digitised the need for cybersecurity measures is bigger now more than ever.
There are a number of simple steps you can take that can improve the security of your server and applications which in turn should help to reduce the likelihood of a successful cyber attack.
Antivirus
Installing antivirus software and keeping this updated on all devices in the workplace is one of the best and simplest ways to ensure there is a base layer of protection on all your systems.
Backups
There are many different ways to back up your data, some of the most common being an external/removable hard drive or utilising cloud storage. This will enable you to recover any data that has been lost or encrypted.
There are a couple of things to bear in mind with the different types of backups:
External/removable hard drives – Always ensure to disconnect this from your device when not in use as attackers may be able to access your backup if still connected.
Cloud Storage – regularly checking and updating your backups on cloud storage is a good idea. This ensures that in the event of data loss the backup is ready to go and is the most up to date version.
2-factor Authentication (2FA)
We recommend implementing 2-factor authentication in all business accounts/platforms as it provides an extra layer of security so that even if your account details are compromised the attacker can still not gain access without the additional authentication.
Action Plan
Having a procedure for staff to follow in the event of an unfortunate cybersecurity attack will help you to minimise the impact of the attack. A good action plan should be regularly updated and ideally rehearsed at least on an annual basis. The plan would cover such things as: immediate remedial actions (for example, failover systems), internal communications, customer communications and individual staff responsibilities.
Device Update Policy
Keeping all your devices up-to-date with the latest security patches and software updates should always be a priority. If your operating system and applications are not up-to-date this can leave them with vulnerabilities.
As a side note, this doesn’t just include laptops and PCs and servers – any device that has a connection to your networks such as a smart TV or tablet should be kept up-to-date with the latest software to avoid any weak spots.
Employee Awareness
In most cases, a lack of knowledge and awareness of cybersecurity can be your biggest weakness. By providing basic cybersecurity training, staff will be able to spot any potential threats before they become a real risk which should reduce the likelihood of a successful attack.
It is very difficult to 100% secure your systems against all cybersecurity attacks. However, with some basic security measures in place to combat this, you can reduce your chances of becoming a victim.
If you’d like some additional advice on cybersecurity measures then please send an email to hello@datacentreplus.co.uk or head to our site!
Alternatively, if you’d like to speak to a member of our team you can call us on 0161 464 610.
