4 Stupid-Simple Ways to Be More Careful with Your Network Security

Technology is central to most businesses, which means that security is, by proxy, central to them as well. With cyberattacks on the rise, it’s more important than ever for you and your employees to be on the same page regarding cybersecurity. Today, we are looking at four ways you can ensure sound cybersecurity practices that even the most belligerent employees can follow… with the right support in place.

Strong, Unique Passwords Coupled with Two-Factor Authentication

Passwords are your first line against hackers, so guaranteeing their quality is important.

You should have each of your employees utilize strong, unique passwords for each account. Password managers can make them easier to use, as you won’t have to create or remember them all. These credentials can be securely stored in an encrypted vault, only pulled when they’re needed.

Additionally, we recommend using multi-factor authentication whenever possible for the additional layers of security it provides.

Regular Testing Versus Scams and Phishing Attempts

Phishing scams are out of control, so you need to know how to respond to them.

These scams often come via email, text, or fake websites, and they can be strikingly legitimate-looking. You should never click on a link or download an attachment from an unverified sender. You can hover over links to ensure that they go to where you expect them to, and you want to ensure that any website or payment portal asking for sensitive information is encrypted for your protection by checking for “https” in the URL.

We recommend testing your employees periodically to ensure that they know what to look for in a phishing message and how to report it.

Up-to-Date Software and Devices

Outdated software and devices are a disaster waiting to happen.

Patches and updates are required to ensure that your devices are as secure as possible. These patches and updates address vulnerabilities and bugs found in your solutions, effectively fixing them so that hackers can’t exploit them against you. We recommend that you implement automatic updates so that you don’t have to worry about the manual effort of deploying them to each of your devices.

Bonus tip: strive to deploy these remotely, as well, so it takes the least amount of time and effort possible on your tech’s part.

Virtual Private Networks

Public wireless connections are sketchy, so whenever possible, take extra precautions when using them.

A virtual private network, or VPN, offers an encrypted connection for your sensitive information and data. It effectively masks your Internet traffic so that any onlookers can’t intercept data while it’s in transit. A VPN can mask your location and encrypt online activities so that you can safely and securely work wherever your duties take you.

For more information about how to keep your business safe, be sure to contact Network Integration Specialists, Inc. at (804) 264-9339.