As cybercriminals are getting savvier, and their techniques are becoming more advanced, companies need to up their security tactics. Long gone are the days when you could install a simple firewall, and call it a day. Now, you need to invest in cyber tools, train your staff, and create new strategies.
But if you’re just starting in the EP industry, and aren’t really sure which security tactics work, don’t worry, we got you covered. Today, we’ll break down the best, most bulletproof strategies that, when combined, can make a world of difference.
1. Have Good Password Practices
We’ve already talked about why having good password practices is so important in our security risks in the workplace article, so we won’t drone on too much.
But what you need to know is that most people either forget or can’t be bothered to change their passwords on a regular basis. Also, they tend to use a single password for multiple platforms, which makes breaking into their accounts beyond simple.
So if you’re working as a security officer, one of the most vital things you should implement is solid password hygiene. Some of the basic rules of password hygiene include:
- Never reusing old passwords
- Making passwords long and complex
- Using capitalized letters and symbols
These rules might seem overwhelming to an everyday worker bee, which is why it’s best to rely on a password management tool. It should take all the frustration out of coming up with something new constantly. Also, the tool will make changes and create new passwords automatically, on your schedule.
2. Do a Security Assessment
With a security assessment, you’ll be able to identify and implement every security control that’s crucial to your organization. Basically, if you’re the one in charge of security tactics, you’ll be able to make informed decisions thanks to an assessment.
Also, by creating an assessment, you’ll know what your baseline is, and what you can do to improve it. What’s more, with it, you’ll have a roadmap that’ll help you build the right infrastructure for your organization.
Of course, an assessment takes a lot of work and planning, and it’s not really something that you’ll be doing once a week. However, you should consider doing it at least once every quarter, six months, or a year.
3. Do Penetration Testing
A penetration or pen test is, in its simplest form, a simulated cyber attack that you’re doing against your own computer system. That way, you can directly see if your system has any sort of vulnerabilities that you need to fix.
Pen testing is a security tactic that’s been around for a while, and most companies usually have their own internal team that’ll do it. However, some organizations also hire outside help for the job. There are a couple of stages of pen testing, but it all usually starts with defining the goals of the test.
4. Create an Incident Response
No matter what kind of business you’re in, incidents and accidents happen all the time. But if you want to avoid having that cost you a ton of money, you need to come up with an incident response. Of course, your strategy should start with listing some of the biggest and most common incidents that can happen.
For example, your list can include:
- Loss of data
- Ransomware
- Security breaches
- Misuse of privilege
- Access breaches
The first thing your incident response strategy should have is a point person. They, along with their team, will be responsible for isolating the incident and making sure that it doesn’t spread to other departments. Then, they should stick to a clear set of guidelines that’ll help them fix the issue.
5. Do Constant Data Backup
Backing up data, both in your personal and professional life makes so much sense, and it’s something everyone should do. And even though it’s one of the most basic security tactics in the world, we’re still seeing people simply forgetting to do it. But if you want to create a safe and secure work environment, you can’t be one of those people.
Fortunately, nowadays, the biggest part of the backup is completely automated, which means that it won’t fall on your shoulders to remember.
But before you begin to back up, you have to figure out which data is important for the business. That way, you won’t be spending thousands of dollars on storage space for data that you don’t even need.
Also, remember to backup locally, to the cloud, as well as offline, and do constant checks.
6. Increase Physical Security
While you’re handling the cyber tactics, you can’t forget about the physical part of corporate security. Believe it or not, a ton of breaches happen when someone’s work device gets stolen off their desks.
While you’re coming up with a security strategy, remember that your biggest priorities have to be the entrance and exit points. Also, make sure to have a handle on access control, and that you know who has authorized access and where. Keep your data and control rooms safe, and if you can, add extra manpower there.
7. Have Cyber Insurance
In case someone manages to bypass all of your security tactics and protection, it’s a good idea to have cyber insurance. They’ll help you minimize damage in case there’s a security threat or breach that you can’t handle.
With that said, cyber insurance practices are fairly new and can be really complex. That’s why we recommend finding an agent that you trust to work with you on creating the best policy for your business.
Bottom Line
Most of these security tactics don’t follow trends, and they’re something that you should constantly be doing. No matter the size or budget of your company, all of these tactics can still easily be done. You just have to invest in the right programs and technology that’ll help do most of the work for you.
With that said, if your company is bigger or deals with a lot of cyberattacks, it might be a good idea to have a security operations center. That way, you can keep everything centralized, and have a team of people dedicated to dealing with threats and minimizing risks.
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