Not taking your company’s IT security seriously could be very costly for your company. A single ransomware attack could easily cost you over $300,000 dollars. Despite the very clear risks, business IT still has a long way to go in terms of security.
So what are some steps that you can take to keep your IT infrastructure safe and secure? This article lists 6 helpful hints for locking down your business IT systems.
Keep Things Updated
Updates do more than add new features. They also fix security threats that could harm your company. If you don’t keep your software updated, you run the risk of falling victim to a security exploit.
Your staff should be well informed about the security risks of not updating software. They should also be required to always run the latest versions.
Use Two-Factor Authentication
Two-factor authentication is a simple way to make hacking into your company much more difficult. Essentially, this security process involves users verifying their identity with a second device.
Typically, this is done by sending a message with a code to a cell phone. This method is effective because multiple devices will need to be compromised to cause a security breach.
Use Strong Passwords
You might be surprised at some of the terrible passwords that people use. For example, “password” is still one of the most commonly used passwords in the world.
If you want to keep your organization secure, you should mandate the use of strong passwords.
Back up Everything
In modern business, it’s vital that you have a strong backup system. The most popular form of cyber-attack at the moment is ransomware. This is when your files are encrypted by malware.
The attacker then demands a cash payment to decrypt the files. With a good backup system, these tactics are useless as you can simply revert to a previous backup.
Hire an IT Company
The world of IT is so complex that it’s a full-time job to keep up with it. This is why it makes sense to work with a managed IT services company. They can help you to protect your network by installing antivirus and firewall software.
There’s more information here about the kind of things they can do for you.
Have a Security Culture
One of the biggest threats your business faces is social engineering. This is when attackers use clever trickery to gain access to a system. Using these techniques, attackers can bypass security software such as firewalls.
The only way to defend against social engineering is to know when to recognize it. This is only possible if you create a security culture within your company.
Business IT Security Is Essential
You simply can’t afford to pay attention to IT security issues. There are simply too many threats out there that could cost your company a lot of money.
In business IT, you need to be proactive. If you take security measures after you’ve already been hacked, it may be too late.
If you want to learn more about other IT-related topics, check out the rest of our blog posts.
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