Top Computer Tips: Keeping your business safe
Today we are more dependant on computers and the information they store than ever before. Any disruption can have a huge impact on businesses. More and more forms of malicious software out there today that can have disastrous effects on a business.
Protecting your business against the latest web threats has become an incredibly complicated task. So what do you need to consider as a business when it comes to security and what are the key ways to address this? Below are some tips that will help you protect your business.
1. Protect your business against malware
In the ever evolving world of software viruses and malicious software it is essential that your business has adequate firewalls and antivirus software in place.
- Apply the firewall – a good business grade internet router will have an on-board firewall so ensure this is activated, although these days it may not be enough to due to the complexity of malware.
- Protect the PCs – ensure that you install the best endpoint and antivirus protection on all of your machines including your server.
- Mobile Protection – ensure that the security solution you choose covers protection for mobile users. Purchasing a solution with a security console that is cloud based allows you to easily manage your licences.
- Clean up Mail – anti-spam reduces unwanted email and blocks potential risks to your business.
2. Write Policies
It is important that everyone within your business takes security seriously. The best way to ensure that everyone follows your security requirements is to write a security policy that communicates this. Your policy should include, but not be limited to:
- Software Policy – detail which applications can be loaded onto company equipment and which are prohibited.
- Strong Passwords – ensure that all employees use strong passwords. More information can be found in Tip 4.
- Enforce Consequences – ensure that all users are aware of any consequences if your policy is not followed.
- Educate about email – include regulations on internal and external communication as well as what should be opened or forwarded.
- Point of contact – appoint someone within the company to deal with an questions about your security policy.
3. Social Media
Social media applications are very popular these days so ensure that employees follow your best practices and guidelines on its use.
Decide who can speak on behalf of the company and only allow these employees to write content about your business.
4. Protect with passwords
Passwords are the gateway to most business networks, so they are very important when protecting access to your network.
- Strong! – require strong passwords with a length of at least 8 characters ideally with numbers and/or symbols included.
- Time to change – time out old passwords and require password changes frequently.
- Keep them safe – educate employees about why writing down passwords or storing passwords puts the company at risk.
- Combination – for the strongest passwords, don’t use words at all. Use random numbers, letters and special characters. You can do this by making a pattern on your keyboard to make it easier to remember.
5. Internet security
The Internet, whilst a great enabler it can also increase exposure to malware. Ensure you security solution provides proactive content scanning to track malware and alert you to potential problems. Also URL filtering can help limit access to certain sites that may reduce employee productivity and defend against risky links.
6. Updates
Ensure that all your machines are set to automatically install operating system updates. These are typically released on the second Tuesday of every month – Patch Tuesday. These updates include essential bug fixes and security features that address any existing vulnerabilities.
7. Backup, backup, backup!
If there is one key tip I would choose its Backup. No matter how vidulent you are there is always the chance that your business maybe effected by malicious software or data is lost due to human error.
By ensuring your business takes regular backups you can restore any data that maybe lost!