IT security is often underestimated in companies, although it can often be significantly and cheaply improved significantly. Arguments like “know who I’d be interested in” or “I don’t have time for” are just excuses. The risk of attacks and troubleshooting costs are higher than you think.
After a pair of articles on mobile security – Protecting corporate data on mobile devices and How to protect data on a lost or stolen mobile device, we bring you a summary of security tips. See how easily you can protect your business in the virtual world.
Table of Contents
Back Up Everything Regularly
We all know how important backup is. But how many people are backing up? Hand on heart. Where do you have an accounting deposit? Customer database? Company photos or videos, or other important documents?
You can use Dropbox, Google Disk or OneDrive for backup. Thanks to your cloud, if you do not trust foreign cloud solutions, you can use domestic providers or have data only with you. In the worst case, make regular backups to an external drive manually. It’s not convenient, and you can’t do it too often, but at least some backup is better than none.
Encrypt The Corporate WIFI And Separate The Internal Network From The One Used By The Visitors
Always password protects your corporate WIFI. Use a strong encryption algorithm (WPA2-PSK (AES)) and a strong password. If the router has default WIFI, check its settings and change the password. Change your password regularly, at least once every six months.
INFO: Many WIFI routers allow you to set up the so-called Guest zone – customer zone. This is a separate WIFI network that visitors to your company can use. From this WIFI, guests cannot connect to your printer or computer, and at the same time, you significantly reduce the risk of stealing company data.
Do Not Use Public WIFI
The security risk of unencrypted and public wireless networks is high. Anyone with password knowledge can connect to the network and try various attacks. Never send personal information, login details or bank card details via such WIFI networks.
TIP: If you already need to use the public network – in a cafe, airport or hotel, connect using a VPN – a virtual private network. This is a solution where your device will appear as part of another network. The main advantages are anonymity and security, and your communication will be encrypted and secure. For example, the creator of the Opera browser offers a simple and free solution. Download the Opera VPN app for Android or iOS. All you have to do is install the application, turn on VPN in your browser, and you can safely browse the Internet with Opera.
Protect Your Emails
There are two ways to read and write emails through a web interface – typically Gmail or a Microsoft Outlook email client. With the web interface, you don’t have the option to set up a connection, and you’re almost certainly logging in with an encrypted connection. You have already set connection parameters for the email client, and you can connect to the email server both encrypted and unencrypted. Your emails can be read with an unencrypted connection. Therefore, check how you are connected.
TIP: Verify the connection settings in Microsoft Outlook using the settings File – Account settings (select Account settings) – select the email account you want to verify – Change – Additional settings, Advanced tab. If you see the SSL connection type, you are connecting encrypted.
Use Strong And Unique Passwords
This rule has been with us since the beginning of computer systems. Basic principles for creating a strong password:
- Do not use well-known words – admin, password, admin.
- Use uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and special characters such as.,?! * /.
- The minimum password length should be eight characters.
- Change your passwords regularly.
- Each password should be unique.
Password Access The Device
There is one main rule in the world of security. The system is only as secure as its weakest point. Therefore, you need to set a password on your devices. Of course, please do not write this password on the piece of paper next to the computer and change it regularly.
Use a Security Certificate (Green Lock) On The Company Website.
Certificates are currently free and dramatically increase security. All data that is sent or received will be encrypted using this certificate. Because Google takes security very seriously, it rewards sites that use the encrypted HTTPS protocol in the URL with better search rankings. In early 2017, Chrome will mark non-HTTPS sites as unsafe
Do Not Use Foreign USB
Abroad, it is popular to leave thrown USB keys near companies. These USBs contain viruses and infect the entire corporate network when inserted into a computer. It is important that you use an updated antivirus program and not unnecessarily insert third-party devices into computers.
Do Not Open Suspicious Emails
A very simple way to infect your device is to send an email with a virus in an attachment. Therefore, do not open attachments from unknown senders and use an updated antivirus program.
