Are your employees aware of some of the common security pitfalls that can compromise the integrity and safety of your IT system? With the digital landscape becoming an increasing part of managing day-to-day operations, staying on top of evolving risks and knowing how to be proactive is essential to avoiding disaster. Educating your team members, and staying aware as company owners empowers everyone to stay ahead of the curve and create a strong foundation for the future.
At Solūt, we know just how important it is to ensure everyone is on the same page when it comes to digital security practices. In addition to offering comprehensive IT services, we are proud to partner with businesses across Canada to build custom security plans, as well as offer extensive training so everyone knows how to model best practices. Below, we’ll cover 4 important areas for all staff members to be aware of when it comes to IT security. Read on to learn more.
Strong Passwords and Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)
Passwords are one of the first, and most important first lines of defence against unauthorized access. Easy passwords that involve birthdates, obvious numerical sequences (eg. 12345) and other overly simplified choices may be easy to remember, but they’re also easy to crack. To bolster security, it’s crucial to craft complex passwords that include a mix of upper and lower-case letters, numbers, and symbols.
Multi-Factor-Authentication (MFA) provides an additional layer of security by requiring users to provide two or more authentication factors before granting access. This makes it significantly harder for hackers to gain unauthorized access, even if they manage to obtain the password.
Regular Software Updates
It can be easy to fall behind on software updates and firewall maintenance, but failing to prioritize routine upkeep can leave you vulnerable to cyber attacks or lead to systems lagging and performing poorly. Hackers often exploit vulnerabilities in outdated software to infiltrate systems, and software patches not only help to address these vulnerabilities but ensure everything runs as smoothly as possible. Make sure everyone is aware of the importance of staying on top of updates, and that routine maintenance becomes part of company culture.
Phishing Awareness
Phishing attacks have become one of the most prevalent (and effective) methods of compromising personal and business data by cybercriminals. Phishing emails have continued to become increasingly complex over time, with criminals getting even savvier with how they trap users into believing they are legitimate and revealing sensitive information. Constant education and awareness is crucial to avoiding falling victim to phishing scams, as is maintaining a healthy, skeptical mindset. If something seems too good to be true, it is, and if someone is requesting information or relaying something that seems suspect…it likely is.
Data Encryption and Privacy
Data encryption is a powerful tool that ensures information remains confidential even if intercepted by unauthorized parties. Encryption methods convert data into a code that can only be deciphered by those with the appropriate decryption key, making it far more secure than haphazardly stored information.
End-to-end encryption is vital for sensitive data and ensures that sensitive details remain private, whether they are sent by messaging apps, emails, e-commerce platforms, etc. For modern businesses, adopting encryption protocols for data storage and transmission is an essential practice to protect customer information and maintain trust.
Creating a Culture of Awareness
When it comes to avoiding cyber-attacks and ensuring your digital security, fostering a culture of prevention and proactivity is key. Consulting an experienced team like Solūt for IT strategy and risk mitigation is a strong way to make sure everyone is educated and informed, and that you have the right strategies in place when problems occur.
Learn more about how we can help your team get prepared by contacting us today!