Tips for Securing Your Data

The information stored on you company’s network and computers significantly contribute to your competitive advantage. Data on your employees, finances, customer transactions and product capabilities are just a few of the items that contribute to your growth and success. With so much data being created daily, there is a growing need to be protected from loss or attack.

Network interruptions, cyber attacks and natural disasters can all threaten information security and contribute to data loss for the unprepared. The result is often costly and time-consuming to remedy. While there are plenty of beneficial resources third parties can offer to assist with protecting and backing up your data there are a few first steps you can take on your own.

Here are a few suggestions to get you started:

• Act on Update Reminders - Software updates often contain critical security patches so don’t hit the “remind me later” button. Instead, take the time to install the available updates immediately.
• Adjust Access Rights - You don’t need to provide all employees with the same levels of access. Take time to look at which levels of access are available then limit availability to job-related information and functions.
• Strengthen Passwords and Policy - Make the requirements for your employee’s passwords more complex. In addition, require that they change the passwords regularly.
• Embrace the Cloud - Cloud-based computing provides you with additional levels of redundancy for your data while also delivering IT resources to your employees quickly and reliably.
• Encrypt Your Data - Whether it is the information your employees put on a USB thumb drive or the data transmitted over a wireless access point use encryption to add an extra layer of protection. Use WiFi Protected Access (WPA) to lock down the wireless components of your network when possible.
• Update File / Print Sharing - Keep the File / Print sharing option on your file server. But it can be removed from all desktops and laptops to decrease vulnerabilities.

There are also plenty of free resources available that provide background information on data security as well as alerts related to current threats. Here are a few helpful sites to get you started:

• Cisco Security Advisories & Responses
• Trend Micro Security Intelligence & Current Threats
• CERT Security Publications & Alerts for Business
• Information Systems Security Certification Consortium Cyber Exchange

These are just a few initial steps you can perform on your own to begin to quickly implement a base level of security within your organization while also accessing a few online resources to become aware of existing threats. The next step is to contact us to discuss cost-effective services to protect and backup your data. IPLogic utilizes a combination of industry-leading technologies to offer secure email, web, access, mobility and data center.