A firewall is a device that acts like a security cop watching over your computer network to detect unauthorized access and activity – and EVERY business and individual needs one.
However, your firewall is completely useless if it’s not set up or maintained properly. Your firewall needs to be upgraded and patched on a continual and consistent basis, and security policies and configurations set. This is not something you want to try and handle on your own – you are best served by letting the pros (us!) handle that for you.
If you’re a Managed Services Client, we got you covered. If not, you should contact us immediately to correct the error of your ways: (512) 388-5559.
That said, as the influence of technology continues to expand and the business world relies on instant access to information to make quick decisions, it's important to note that it can only take an instant for hackers to gain access to your most valuable business data.
"But I have a good firewall in place!"
That's great! But unfortunately, that's not all you need to worry about. In this week's Tech Tip Tuesday, we're going to cover 4 ways you, your coworkers, and employees can become an additional security layer when, not if, attacks make it through all your technical security filters.
1. Put Policies in Place
Employees need to be aware of what to watch out for but also how to follow best practices, as well as being empowered to report anything suspicious. It's important to have a detailed cybersecurity policy that covers everything from password creation and internet safety to mobile devices. Your cybersecurity policy does not need to specify a technological solution, that will depend on the situation. Instead, we set intentions and conditions that will aid to protect assets and offer guidance about what kind of behavior, resource uses are required, acceptable, or forbidden.
2. Practice Password Security
How secure is your password? You can actually check it here: https://howsecureismypassword.net/ to see how long a computer could potentially take to crack your password. You may be thinking, who on Earth would want to hack into my accounts? It's the unfortunate truth that companies both large and small are getting hacked on a daily basis, resulting in millions of people's account information being compromised. While data breaches are out of your control, it's still imperative to create passwords that can withstand such relentless attacks. Here are 5 basic password tips you'll want to keep in mind:
- Never write down your password or share it with someone else.
- Don't use the same password for everything.
- Change your passwords roughly every 90 days (this is the accepted industry standard).
- Avoid using personal information (family names, addresses, pet names, birthdates, etc).
- Use a password manager like Dashlane, LastPass, and LogMeOnce to keep all your passwords in a secure place. No sticky notes!
3. Schedule Regular Cybersecurity Training
One of the best ways to increase end-user security is through regular security and awareness training. Just like we need to patch our systems and software in order for them to stay current, we need to keep our personal knowledge of threats and solutions up to date as well. As new threats continue to arise, employees should continue to receive cybersecurity training throughout the year. At CTTS, we're happy to provide cybersecurity expertise and coordinate a training regimen to help your employees protect themselves both in and out of the workplace. We can even send phony emails to unsuspecting employees and see if any links are clicked. If someone does fall for the phony phishing scam, they are enrolled in a simple online training course. Call us today to find out more: (512) 388-5559.
4. Remain Vigilant
Finally, make sure all defenses are on high alert at all times. This is an ongoing war, in order to stay one step ahead of hackers we must always be proactive and constantly be aware of any new threats your business may face. As their tactics change, so must we incorporate new best practices into our systems. If we assume hackers might already have access to our network, we can protect data accordingly, reporting suspicious activity, and engaging an IT company like CTTS to keep your systems on round the clock monitoring so there is immediate notification if such a threat materializes.
Now, you're well on your way to becoming a human firewall! Share this article with your coworkers and employees, and together we can take a proactive approach to cybersecurity because without such pre-emptive strategies the cybercriminals have already won.
If you'd like to learn more about what CTTS can do, or if you would like to schedule a free business IT consultation to see where your company stands and what possibilities are open for your business, call us today: (512) 388-5559
CTTS is a complete technology solution provider and the leading IT Support and Managed Service Provider in the Central Texas area. We're located in Georgetown, TX, but we service all of Central Texas and the surrounding areas including Round Rock and Austin. Learn more about CTTS today!
By Josh Wilmoth
CEO, Central Texas Technology Solutions