Your Network is a Playground for Hackers – Or So They Believe
The days of the safe and insular network system is ancient history, technologically speaking. You and your IT staff recognize that your organization’s network security becomes more open to exposure and risk with each trek into the great frontier of computing. From dial-up to DLS, broadband, Wi-Fi and beyond, hackers want to get their hands on your data via any portal possible. They come to play. And play dirty. The right cybersecurity approach can help level the playing field.
Apply 5 Ways You Can Protect Your Business from Network Security Threats
In 2014, 476 IT professionals reported that the majority of businesses either had no or only partial system in place to protect their organization’s sensitive data.
Companies that leave themselves vulnerable to network security threats, exposing confidential data to nefarious hackers, suffer everything from massive legal fees and profit losses to loss of their business. You can avoid the risks, penalties and other negative outcomes by applying some of the following 5 ways to protect your network’s security from intrusions.
1. Lock Your Network with a Secure Password.
Sometimes it is simply a Wi-Fi bandit looking for free network time, but more often someone trying to hop on your company’s network plans to do harm. Hackers commonly use a technique to identify your at-risk network called “wardriving,” which entails using a high-powered antenna to track open networks. Secure your network with a complex password, and never leave your network unlocked.
2. Design and Enforce an Acceptable Use Policy for Employees, Management and Consultants.
Define which types of network activities are permitted, as well as those that are not, and draw up a networking agreement that everyone must read and sign. Include rules that include locking mobile phones when not in use and that they regularly update their complex passwords to their various technology hardware.
3. Account for and Protect All Devices on Your Network.
Keep an inventory of every device used on your organization’s network. This step is especially important in the BYOD era where employees often use two or more devices to accomplish tasks in and out of the office. Prevent viruses and other problems by keeping a log of these devices and reminding their users of their responsibilities regarding safe passwords and not downloading apps or software without authorization.
4. Encrypt Your Network.
In case employees forget to update passwords, or they otherwise leave your network vulnerable to attacks, proper encryption can allow your IT team to quickly execute a selective swipe to revoke decryption keys used to access company data.
5. Install and Update Anti-Virus and Anti-Malware Protection.
This method of cybersecurity never goes out of style. Whether via software or the cloud, these lines of defense are essential to warding off wardrivers and other cyber-criminals trying to sneak onto your network to steal valuable data and do any other type of harm that they can.
These network and cybersecurity risk-aversion ideas, along with many others, give you and your IT team a solid fighting chance against the most motivated cyber-criminals.
