Cyber security is a crucial part of a functional business, intertwined with IT. But for all the advancements made in defense against cyber criminals, malware, and hackers, it’s easy to be compromised. More often than not, this occurs because of simple mistakes and human error.
In order to best protect yourself – especially IT staff – here are six major IT security mistakes to avoid.
1. Lack of testing. All security measures need to be thoroughly tested to gauge their effectiveness. That means network, applications, anti-virus software, and security regulations. To “set it and forget it” is an invitation for disaster, as experienced hackers or malicious third parties can bypass the unproven measures put in place. Always double down on security with meticulous checks.
2. Ignoring the basics. Common errors can often cause the downfall of even the most advanced network. These errors include basic passwords, public cloud options, unsecured login regulations, allowing access to all levels of data, and so on.
Employees need to follow strict network guidelines with both passwords and the messages they sift through, while sensitive information needs to be compartmentalized and accessed by the appropriate parties.
3. Lack of resources. There’s a shortage of expert IT solutions in the cyber security realm, and it’s not expected to vanish any time soon. But thinking that a business can get by with the bare minimum is a serious falsehood. Looking into MSPs or outsourced IT security providers is better than simply adopting an anti-virus solution. The threats and complications of IT security are simply too real to ignore.
4. Dismissing breaches. It’s easy to think your business is safe from real or serious hacking attempts, especially if it’s a small-to-midsized one. However, the reality is, hackers rely on these notions of safety to penetrate weak IT security shields. A major mistake in IT security is assuming you’re always safe. The dangers out there are changing on a daily basis, and all it takes is one bad day to upend everything.
5. Weak network monitoring. Part of catching threats and understanding how they occur comes from network scrutiny. IT security that doesn’t watch network and user activity leaves you prone to invasions, mainly because they won’t notice unusual alerts from camouflaged network intruders. Not all cyber-attacks come in form of a DDoS. Sometimes they’re subtle and require attention to detail.
6. Third party infiltrations. Recall how we mentioned the usefulness of an MSP. Just as they are useful, they also create a level of risk depending on the provider. When an MSP is breached or compromised, this too puts your information at risk. Therefore, it’s important to ensure that you partner with an MSP that takes proper security measures.
Before a strong IT security policy is in place, the basics must first be covered. Never give cyber threats a low priority and take network attention seriously. Hackers and malware rely on lethargy with cyber security to reach success, so it’s important to shield against not only the broad stroke threats but the subtler intrusions as well.
