In an era where data is the new gold, no matter what nation or state you are in, shielding your company’s information technology (IT) infrastructure has never been more crucial. And with the world expected to spend $219 billion “on security solutions and services” in 2023, it should come as no surprise that cyber security solutions are increasingly becoming a “must-have” for organisations.
But when companies are protecting each component of their IT infrastructures, how can they be sure they are safeguarding them effectively? This article will present four essential cyber security tips that you should follow to protect your IT infrastructure.
1. Perform regular software updates
The first step to bulletproofing your IT environment lies in keeping your software up to date. Like with any piece of technology, software can become stagnant if it is not looked after properly.
Patches are designed to fix bugs and provide enhancements to enhance the performance and security of software. Failing to install these updates can render your system susceptible to cyber security threats, as hackers can exploit unpatched vulnerabilities and gain access to your organisation’s sensitive data.
It is essential to keep all software components updated to ensure holistic protection. Create a schedule that sees all hardware and software updates carried out routinely. Whenever possible, automate your updates to reduce the risk of human error and forgetfulness.
2. Security awareness training for employees
There are various cyber security threats that target businesses. And while cyber security solutions can help defend your operating systems from threats, your employees must also play their part in mitigating and responding to risks.
According to a 2022 report, human error causes 95% of cyber security problems. Therefore, security awareness training should be a top priority. These sessions provide employees with the skills and knowledge they need to understand and deal with cyber threats – how they work, how they can be identified, and how to respond to them. For example, awareness training can inform your team members on how to recognise social engineering attacks.
Additionally, training sessions can also contain exercises so employees can test their newfound skills and seek further knowledge if necessary. Once your employees understand the importance of safeguarding your business’s IT infrastructure, your organisation’s cyber security posture will be strengthened.
3. Utilise multi-factor authentication (MFA)
Multi-factor authentication requires users to provide several pieces of evidence to authenticate their identity when they log into company systems. In these situations, evidence takes the form of something the employee knows (e.g., a password and username), something they have (e.g., a mobile phone), and something they are (e.g., a fingerprint).
By implementing MFA, you can leverage an extra layer of security that increases the difficulty for hackers to access your systems. Even if a password is compromised, the attacker still needs the other pieces of evidence to gain access, making a successful breach far less likely.
4. Commit to disaster recovery
Having a disaster recovery plan (DRP) is a cyber security practice that all companies should be following. DRPs ensure that important digital assets can be recovered after a natural or man-made crisis. For example, disaster recovery requires businesses to duplicate their data and save these copies to external data centres to minimise the chances of data loss.
A well-crafted disaster recovery plan should also outline the steps to be taken in the event of a disaster. The plan should detail how to restore the business’s IT infrastructure and data, and how to communicate crucial information within the organisation and with necessary parties. The goal of the plan is to get your business back up and running with as minimal downtime as possible.
DRPs should be tested regularly to make sure their content is relevant to their respective companies. If anything is outdated, businesses should update their plan immediately.
Defend your traditional infrastructure and cloud infrastructure from cyber security threats
In a time filled with Internet of Things (IoT) devices and increasingly complex digital threats, safeguarding IT infrastructures is about more than installing security software.
Cyber security solutions require regular updates, comprehensive maintenance, and users that truly understand the need for cyber safety in the workplace. While this might seem daunting, your organisation can achieve this level of digital safety quickly with the right cyber security partner.
The cyber security professionals at Platform 24 can defend your company from cyber security threats with the most advanced security tools and practices. They can analyse your current IT environment, spot vulnerabilities, and fix them with cost-effective solutions.
With the Platform 24 team overseeing your IT infrastructure and managing its security, you and your team can rest assured knowing that your business has the latest and greatest cyber security solutions safeguarding your technology and data.
