The ever-present threat of cyber security attacks has made IT infrastructure security a priority for most businesses. Cybercriminals are nowadays using bots to troll the internet for vulnerabilities.
IT security is of utmost importance in this current age due to the move to employees working from home (WFH) and services being provided through cloud technology. Security organizations need to quickly adapt their approaches to securing infrastructure in this fast-changing world.
Network security is the protection of underlying networking infrastructure from unauthorized access, misuse, or theft. The following are security testing measures that are used by organizations to maintain data integrity:
1. Inventory of All Assets
It is critical to capture and track all infrastructure assets. Knowing what is on your network is crucial to identifying potential weaknesses so they can be corrected. Incomplete documentation of all assets may lead to a vulnerable network. Tracking all assets can be done by a combination of both automated and manual techniques. Risk assessments will help prioritize which gaps in cyber security need to be sorted first.
2. Create company-wide awareness training
Employees are the weakest link in any organization’s cyber security architecture. Ignorant employees may fall prey to phishing attacks, download viruses to their workstations and use easy passwords that may be hacked.
To make sure IT security policies are effective, staff have to be trained and made aware of their importance. The HR department has to include IT security in its onboarding process and also ensure managers review these policies regularly. Invest in high-quality cyber security education for all staff, making a comprehensive curriculum with good testing to make sure concepts are understood.
3. Audit or scan on a regular basis
Hiring cyber security companies or experts to carry out security testing and regular audits/scans can prove quite beneficial for organizations. Highlighting inefficiencies in your IT processes, and optimizing the IT security systems is likely to ensure the business avoids expensive ransomware attacks and any long-term damage to its reputation.
The IT security experts will recommend customized technical solutions for any vulnerabilities exposed and offer a detailed procedure for dealing with future cyber threats.
4. Limiting User Access Privileges
Applying the policy of least privilege to every user account will ensure that users on the network are restricted to having the minimum level of access to perform their work tasks. This measure reduces the possibility of an insider data breach. An intrusion detection system is used to detect the abnormal activity of employees trying to breach defenses installed.
5. Contingency/Backup Plans and Recovery Solutions
Exposing the client’s confidential information will put the company’s operations at risk. Losing data can put a strain on company operations and take a while to recover. As the business grows, so does its need for new and improved solutions to upgrade the backup and recovery plans, ensuring end-to-end protection of the organization’s IT environment. Entire business data can be backed up securely through an effective cloud storage solution.
6. SOP for Roles and Responsibilities
The Standard Operating Procedure document contains details including:
- Task timelines
- POCs responsible for compliance
- Processes, roles, and responsibilities
Tailoring the current company needs to the existing IT security policy will be incredibly advantageous to the organization. IT-related misdemeanors will be kept at a minimum. Identifying all possible areas that could lead to a data breach will reduce the chances of human error.
7. Password Policy and Accessibility
Updating passwords is one of the most basic practices when it comes to digital protection. Strong passwords help in preventing external attacks and the possibility of a data breach. Every organization should have an IT guideline that includes a policy supplying information on setting up strong passwords.
Remote access has been the norm especially since the COVID-19 pandemic hit. This has put a bigger demand on the need for cyber protection. Using technologies like Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) will allow workers seamless remote connectivity while reducing the chances of compromising data integrity. The VPN keeps the web movement encrypted.
8. Antivirus Software and Firewall Installation
In recent times, viruses and malware have been created to bypass basic security measures that are not robust enough to stop them. Upgrading to a strong antivirus software will ensure that cyber-attacks are kept at bay. The firewall acts like a digital safe where all digital assets are secured.
9. Establish a Bring Your Device Policy
Ensure that policies are dictating how employee devices interact with the network. There may be limitations, use of security certificates, or completely disallowing certain devices from operating within the network.
With the right hardware and software tools, the network can be a safer place to work to ensure overall productivity. Schedule security testing will give the organization a better chance of finding potential problems before they impact the system.
