Tips to Improve your Business Cyber Security
With the increased prevalence of cyber attacks on businesses and individuals it’s important we take precautions to ensure we’re safeguarding our information and access. Here are some tips that are worthwhile reviewing to stay on top of cyber security:
Application Control – Application control is a security approach used in PCs that utilise Microsoft’s operating software (Microsoft Applocker or Windows Defender Application Control) designed to protect against malicious code (also known as malware) executing on systems. When implemented robustly, it ensures only approved applications (e.g. executables, software libraries, scripts, installers, compiled HTML, HTML applications, control panel applets and drivers) can be executed.
While application control is primarily designed to prevent the execution and spread of malicious code, it can also prevent the installation or use of unapproved applications.
Update Apps & Operating Systems – Software updates are necessary to keep computers, mobile devices and tablets running smoothly and can prevent security issues and improve compatibility and program features. It’s worth ensuring your operating system, apps and browsers are maintained with the latest updates to ensure best performance and security.
Review Access Privileges – Just as you would keep track of who holds keys to your offices or business, it’s important to regularly review which individuals in your business have access to which programs and at which access level. Whether it’s removing an ex-employee or increasing the access for someone promoted to having more responsibility, staying on-top of account access is a prudent check to make quarterly or as changes are required.
Regular Back-Ups – We have all known someone who has broken their phone and how frustrating it is to not have a back up, the stakes get higher when it’s your livelihood and business information. It’s worthwhile to maintain regular back ups in case you ever need to fall back on that information.
Multi-factor Authentication (MFA) – is a security measure that requires two or more proofs of identity to grant you access to a resource such as an application, online account, or a VPN. MFA offers significantly more powerful security and protection against someone trying to hack into your information. Whilst someone might have been able to steal your pin or password, access that is limited with MFA requires additional proof of identity to access your account. These proofs of identity might be in the form of: physical token, random pin, biometrics / fingerprint, authenticator app, email or SMS.
Unique Password – With so many passwords to remember it’s hard to keep track of them and many people make the mistake of repeating or reusing the same password across multiple platforms. Trouble is that if any one of those is compromised it’s possible for hackers to try your email and login details across multiple other accounts. It’s wise to use a unique password for each individual login/password you create to minimise the potential of one hack compromising any of your other accesses. Rather than having a list of passwords hidden on your; phone, computer or a handwritten list, password managers are programs that encrypt your password on your computer and often have a corresponding phone app so you can access your passwords that are secured and locked behind a ‘master password’.
Protect your Email – Access to your email should be protected at all costs. Many of our logins start with our email address as our username. If access to your email has been compromised, it’s possible that passwords can be reset and access for multitudes of your account passwords to be overwritten. Up there with internet banking, your email password should be unique and have multi-factor authentication requirements activated.
Hope this information is useful. If you have any queries or questions in regards to Cyber Security please get in contact with us at STS Accounting.
