We are witnessing an increasing number of cyberattacks daily. They present significant challenges and losses for businesses.
It's crucial to evaluate the effectiveness of your cybersecurity practices to safeguard your business and client data.
WEBIT Services has over 25 years of experience helping clients in the greater Chicago area achieve their IT goals. It has played a pivotal role in establishing positive cybersecurity practices for numerous clients.
By reading this article, you will learn six cybersecurity practices that can help you assess the effectiveness of your current security program and enhance it to ensure the safety of your data.
1. Adopt an IT Security Framework
Your IT Provider and cybersecurity practices must adhere to an official IT cybersecurity framework such as CIS or NIST for optimal security impact. These frameworks, developed by a collective of IT experts, set the standard for cybersecurity by encompassing key steps:
- Identify technology in use
- Protect systems through various tools, services, and practices
- Detect threats
- Respond to detected threats
- Recover system functionality and data loss, if possible
Each step is vital in establishing a proactive and comprehensive cybersecurity strategy. Failure to follow a framework may leave your business exposed to preventable risks.
If your IT provider or internal IT department is not following a framework, they are likely missing a key piece of their cybersecurity strategy.
- Missing the Identifystep means that missed hardware or software does not receive protection, potentially exposing the entire system.
- Missing the Protectstep means that the systems could be exposed and vulnerable to cyberattacks.
- Missing the Detectstep means viruses and malicious activity go unnoticed.
- Missing the Respondstep means that viruses and malicious activity are not addressed or removed.
- Missing the Recoverstep means that data and functionality are lost.
2. Utilize Appropriate Cybersecurity Tools
Selecting the right cybersecurity tools for your organization is crucial. While both CIS and NIST frameworks provide recommendations for tool functions, the specific tools are left to the discretion of the user or organization.
Cybersecurity tools have also grown beyond just “antivirus” programs. It now includes various tools, from company IT policies to AI systems for locating suspicious activity.
It's essential to consider your budget and organizational needs when choosing tools, ranging from IT policies to advanced AI systems.
Ensure that selected tools are installed, activated, and properly configured.
Training employees on tool usage, especially if their participation is required, is equally important to prevent avoidable risks.
3. Implement Access Controls for Employees
Controlling employee access to company IT systems is fundamental to enhancing cybersecurity.
Limiting access to department files based on job roles adds an extra layer of protection against cyberattacks. This approach ensures that if a single employee clicks on malicious software, the potential damage is restricted to their specific area rather than compromising the entire system.
Limiting access not only aids in minimizing the impact of cyber threats but also streamlines the recovery process in case of an attack.
4. Provide Ongoing Employee Cybersecurity Training
Given the ever-evolving nature of cyber threats, cybersecurity training should be a continuous process for both employees and leadership.
Regular training sessions aligned with risk assessments can effectively address weaknesses in cybersecurity practices.
Training sessions can be concise, involve short videos explaining policies or strategies, and may include practical tests such as artificial phishing emails to assess employee awareness.
5. Conduct Quarterly Risk Assessments
Quarterly risk assessments are instrumental in identifying cybersecurity strengths and weaknesses. These assessments go beyond uncovering vulnerabilities and provide insights into the effectiveness of existing practices. They can reveal:
- Hardware and software in need of updates or at risk due to age.
- Employee adherence to cybersecurity policies.
- Timely resolution of cybersecurity issues.
- The overall effectiveness of cybersecurity practices.
While achieving zero risk is challenging, a successful risk assessment ensures your risk remains within targeted levels. Consistent deviations from these levels may necessitate reevaluating tools, policies, and practices.
6. Develop a Comprehensive Plan for System Failure
Preparing for the worst-case scenario is crucial in the realm of cybersecurity. Having a well-defined plan in case of system failure or compromise is essential. Key elements to address include:
- Containment measures for cyberattacks.
- Procedures for server malfunctions or downtime.
- Disaster recovery plans for natural disasters.
- Strategies for minimizing downtime.
- Response plan for ransomware attacks.
Engage with your IT provider or internal IT department to formulate and regularly update your IT disaster recovery plans. Ignoring these considerations can lead to prolonged downtime and permanent data loss.
Next Steps for Improving IT Security
IT security is a dynamic field that requires ongoing attention and adaptation.
Cybersecurity is not set in stone. It continues to evolve to address new risks and concerns.
This article outlined six essential practices that help you evaluate and improve your organization’s security practices. They are:
- Follow an IT security framework.
- Use cybersecurity tools.
- Give appropriate employee access.
- Have regular cybersecurity training.
- Have risk assessments.
- Have a plan in case of system failure or compromise.
By implementing and consistently refining these six essential practices, you can build a robust security system that reduces risk and protects your valuable data.
Talk to your IT provider or internal IT department if you are missing steps or feel they could be improved. It’s never too soon to discuss cybersecurity concerns. The sooner you address risks and security weaknesses, the sooner you can secure company data.
WEBIT Services has helped clients build security practices for over 25 years. In that time, WEBIT has grown passionate about education and cybersecurity.
If you are looking for a new IT Provider or have additional questions, schedule a free 30-minute consultation with WEBIT to see how it can help.
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