How To Fight Complacency In Business Cyber Security
In the world of business cybersecurity, complacency is often one of the biggest enemies. People assume all the cybersecurity tools are in place, so they don't have to worry about such issues. If you wish to keep your IT infrastructure safe, though, you need to combat complacency every step of the way. Let's examine how a business can accomplish its IT security goals through more consistent efforts.
Culture
Companies must develop cultures that value security. This means working with employees to understand how everyday choices either improve or degrade security. For example, managers might share administrative passwords to save time. At the same time, though, they're expanding the circle of people who could accidentally compromise the system.
People need to know what the threats are and why the company wants them to personally care about these issues. Likewise, they need to be able to spot lapses and point them out quickly so minor slip-ups don't become major breaches.
Third-Party Monitoring
Asking an outside firm to help you monitor incoming and outgoing traffic can make a major difference. Companies use automated systems to track and log potential threats. They will map your IT systems, install monitoring tools, and probe possible vulnerabilities from outside the system. Likewise, they'll look for signs of compromised systems, such as open server ports where there shouldn't be any.
Scheduled Upgrades and Patches
Maintaining a regular schedule of upgrades and patches can make a big difference, too. You don't want to run software that has known vulnerabilities because these are the first targets hostile actors look for. A business cybersecurity firm can help you keep tabs on updates and patches as news appears about them. They can then roll them out with each round of updates.
Retiring Outdated Systems
It's tempting to keep the old workhorses deployed as long as they can still do the job to your satisfaction. However, nearly all hardware and software setups face end-of-life issues. Bear in mind a system's end-of-life period doesn't mean it necessarily stops running. Instead, EOL simply means the manufacturer no longer will provide updates.
Even if the system seems mundane, such as an old office printer, it may present a vulnerability. Hackers are creative folks, and they often use automated tools that let them cast wide nets while searching for targets. Working with a cybersecurity services provider can help you identify outdated equipment on your network and retire it.
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