As the years keep raking up, it’s good practice to prepare oneself for the potential new threats to emerge for years to come. Based on the things we know, from yesteryears, from the various threat incidents, and what we can predict, at least for the next year to come, this list has been compiled, outlining 7 crucial cybersecurity best practice, that every security professional should know and be aware of at all times.

1. Back Up Your Data

You always want to have backups of your files, especially the most sensitive of them. Of the various network security practices that you can adopt, data backup is the most important, especially with the increasing number of ransomware attacks. When a victim falls prey to such an attack, having a backup of ones data can be a real lifesaver.

When you back things up, it also gives you that much needed peace of mind. It helps you keep ahead of things, in the event of a ransomware or malware attack.

Although it’s possible for you to encrypt your data, so that hackers cannot read it, in the event that it’s hijacked. It’s also possible for hackers to use this same technology against you. Encryption can also be deployed by hackers, once they’ve hijacked your data, they can encrypt it, then demand that you pay them, to get your data back.

It’s in situations like this, that having a backups of your data becomes most crucial. As it provides you with that much needed additional layer of security, in the event that something like this transpires. In addition to the cyber threats, you also want to back up your files to protect them against technical issues, like system crashes.

You want to ensure that you’re constantly backing up your data, and if you can, try splitting up your back up tasks, amongst several individuals, to minimise threats. You may also want to mock test your backups, just to make sure everything is working as it should.

2. Create Awareness Training Programs

Over 60% of all insider threat incidents are caused by the employees themselves or a contactors mistake, mistakes that can very easily be prevented. It’s for this reason why you’ll want to invest in a cybersecurity awareness programme. Statistics and reports show that the vast majority of people that go through them, feel that they impact positively on the security of an organisation.

If you’d like to know where to start, then I’d suggest you look at some basic coaching series, where you should be able to find some awareness tips that you can at least use for your own programme. The more research you do, the better and the more useful the training will be. This in turn should minimise any long term and short term threats your company would otherwise encounter.

3. Monitor User and File Activity

Over the past couple of years, we’ve witnessed malicious insider threats that have worked by taking advantage of multiple channels, in order to pillage data and hide their own tracks in the process. It’s for this reason why you’d want to monitor both user and file activity, as it works as one of the most effective prevention methods. Typically deployed solutions like DLP, focus primarily on data, and not on user activity, which has its perks, but also its flaws, which in turn results in more potential threats for you.

4. Implement Access Control Network Security Measure

With access control management, administrators are able to provide access only to those authorised users, while limiting or blocking unauthorised users from the network. With the use of third-party access management tools, it’s possible for you to limit who can and who cannot access your network.

The vast majority of these cyberattacks start from data breaches from insiders. It’s for this reason why you’d want to limit employee’s access to certain sensitive data. You’d want to use some kind of privilege access, to determine whether or not employees can access the sensitive data of some customers or all of them.

You also want to monitor third party activity, like that of contractors, business associates, remote employees, consultants, vendors and ex-employees. Regulating who has access to a network, is a significant aspect of the security process. You want to limit third-party access to specific portions of a cooperation’s network, then remove that privilege, once the end users have finished with it.

When you grant anyone third-party access, you open up your network to insider threats, creating room for hacking attacks and malicious files. The most effective way of preventing third-party data breaches is by monitoring activity.

5. Utilise Safe Password Practices

Yes, for the vast majority of employees, constantly having to change ones password, can be an inconvenience. However, reports have shown that over 60% of data breaches, where the result of weak, lost or stolen passwords. As it stands right now, almost 70% of small businesses, have password policies which they do not enforce. Today, it’s a requirement that goes without saying, that all devices that access company networks should be password protected.

When it comes to password creation, it’s important that they have both lower and uppercase letters, with both symbols and numbers in them. These passwords should also be regularly changed. Every 2 to 3 months, just to keep cybercriminals guessing. There are also password management tools that can be utilised, just to make the process easier, as it can be quite difficult constantly change and memorising new passwords. To learn more, seek guidance from a cyber security company.

6. Use Multi-Factor Authentication

You want to provide as much protection for your data as possible, and you can do that with multi-factor authentication. This additional layer of protection also complements your access control measures. As it decreases the likelihood of unauthorised access to a network.

7. Device Deployment

Another crucial cybersecurity best practice that must be adopted, is strict adherence to manufactures device recommendations. Additionally, you want to ensure deployments do not infringe on company policies.

As an example, if FTP is not allowed within an IT department, then those capabilities should be disabled. In addition to disabling services that are unpermitted, it’s also prudent to disable services that are not in use, or being used. You want to minimise the amount of active services, as this limits the number of ways you can be compromised.

–AUTHOR INFO—

Uchenna Ani-Okoye is a former IT Manager who now runs his own computer support website https://www.compuchenna.co.uk.