It’s a no-brainer that most organisations nowadays rely more on the internet for critical operations. With this heavy reliance comes the risk of cyber threats. In a real-life situation, you can compare this with a city or town setting. With more crowds on the streets, your security risks increase.
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5 ways to strengthen cybersecurity in the workplace
1. 5 Ways To Strengthen Cybersecurity In
The Workplace
It’sa no-brainerthat mostorganisationsnowadays rely moreon theinternet for
critical operations. With this heavy reliance comes the risk of cyber threats. In a
real-life situation, you can compare this with a city or town setting. With more
crowds on thestreets, your security risks increase. In thesameway thata street
thief would thrive on a crowded street, cybercriminals fancy increased internet
traffic.
Of course, there are various ways you can protect yourself from cybercrimes.
One of which is availing of the services of a managed ITservice provider (MSP).
With their vast resources, MSPs can ensure your network has constant round-
the-clock monitoring. Furthermore, these IT companies, like IT support
Melbourne, have the expertise and experience in cybersecurity. Thus, they can
help keep your network cyber-safeand providedata backup services. However,
the fundamental cybersecurity lies in your protocols.
Ways You Can Strengthen Cybersecurity In Your Workplace
Even though an MSP gives the cyber safety features and services your
organisation needs, it’s essential to take internal steps to reduce any risks of
cyberattacks. These steps will help reinforcethe strengths of any anti-malware
software you have in place. Read on below to find out what you can do to
increase your organisation’s cybersecurity level.
1. Assess Your Risks And Vulnerabilities
Identifying your risks and vulnerabilities forms an important starting point
towards your organisation’s cybersecurity goals. To know what protocols or
measures to undertake, you need to know your weak links and their risks.
2. When performing risk assessment, you can create scopes under various
groupings. For example, you can haveinternal and external risk factors, human-
based andinfrastructure-basedfactors,oramix of both. Onceyou identify areas
of vulnerability, you can then initiate and implement protocols to seal the gaps.
In some cases, you can even carry out simulations to see how effective the
cybersecurity protocols are.
2. Install Hardware And Software Updates
With attention to laptops, desktops, and mobile devices, check how old your
hardware equipment is. In addition, countercheck what operating system
versionsthey’rerunning.Such checks arevital if you’reto mitigate cybersecurity
risks. If your infrastructure runs on old hardware, the latest software features
may notfunction well. Someanti-malwaresoftwaremay notworkcorrectlytoo.
Apart fromthe hardware, carry outsoftwareupdates regularly. Most MSPs can
help you upgrade most software, but you should ensure all internet-based
platforms are up to date. These updates are necessary because cyber threats
change, and older versions may not have the security features to guard from
new threats.
3. Initiate, Implement, And Maintain Strong Password Protocols
Although having many accounts to access becomes a challenge to creating
strong passwords, it shouldn’t be the reason for weak passwords either. By
implementing passwords protocols, you guarantee restricted access to
organisation accounts. One of the current protocols is using Multi-Factor
Authentication (MFA), where a user has to provide an extra passcode to gain
access. This passcode can be biometric identification or a One Time Pin (OTP)
sent to their mobile devices.
Currently, you can get software, like Single Sign Ons (SSOs), that will ensure
robust password protocols. These SSOs work by providing secure, cloud-based
password storage. Further, they have a functionality where your admin can
generate the MFA protocol for users in the network. It’s important to let your
team members know they shouldn’t save passwords on a browser, as hackers
can easily steal them and gain access to their company accounts.
3. 4. Train Your Team Members
Cybersecurity advisors consider internal users to be one of the high-risk points
in an organisation. Your team members browsethrough the internet daily, but
do they know what’s safe and risky? It’s vital for your staff to have knowledge
of cyber-hygiene habits and how to recognise cyber threats.
For example, you can train your staff on identifying phishing emails and safe
websites and ensuring they always lock their devices. As part of the regular
training, see to it that your team gets the latest updates on cybersecurity
measures and any new threats they may encounter on the web. Likewise,
establish channels that staff can use to report potential threats.
Moreover,apply clear policies on deviceuse. Sometimes, staffmay usepersonal
devices to access work accounts or use work devices to access personal
accounts, like social media. These uses can create vulnerabilities for your
organisation, as personal accounts and devices may not have
proper cybersecurity protocols.
5. Deactivate Dormant Accounts And Disconnect Inactive
Workstations
Oncea team member separatesfromthe company,takemeasures to deactivate
their accounts and disconnect inactive devices from the network. As inactive
accounts and devices may not receive constant monitoring and security
updates, they can create a window for cyber attackers to breach your network.
Conclusion
Achieving a cyber-safenetwork is a practice that you need to keep a watchful
eye on always. With MSPs’ help, introducing your staff to cyber-hygiene
protocolsand conductingregular networkassessmentswillkeep cyberattackers
at bay.