IT infrastructure must be protected if our global economy and society are to remain healthy. Significant and even possibly disastrous repercussions could result from actions that compromise the confidentiality, integrity, or availability of the services provided by critical infrastructure providers and their networks. However, the cost of having an unsecure IT infrastructure can be high.
A data breach, one of the most common IT security threats, can cost a company $4 million in tangible losses. Aside from financial losses, you risk losing your customers' trust due to security issues or breaches. Finally, poor IT infrastructure management can jeopardise your company's revenue and reputation.
When you fail to secure your IT environment, you expose your company to a wide range of risks and threats, including denial of service attacks, malware infiltration, and account hijacking. These flaws give cybercriminals access to your network and all of the customer and company data stored on it. Here are three areas on which all parties should concentrate their efforts:
1. Onboard Expert Support
Even if you recognise the need to secure your IT infrastructure, you may be unsure where to begin or how far you need to scale your network. If this is the case, you could hire an IT services expert to conduct a security audit for you. They can detect flaws or gaps in your system and make recommendations on how to address those vulnerabilities. You could also discuss your company's specific needs with them, and they will create a blueprint for your IT security programme.
2. Update IT Policies
An IT policy establishes the ground rules for all employees to follow. If you already have a policy, it should be updated on a regular basis to reflect the changing world and current company needs. Once your policy is complete, you must train your employees and enforce a zero-tolerance policy for misbehaviour. Issue guidelines that cover all aspects of IT security, from vendor setup and remote access to your IT network to mobile device use and data transfer.
3. Upgrade Passwords and Accessibility
Passwords are a fundamental level of security that is still relevant today. You must develop a detailed password policy that instructs employees on what they must include. You can make this process easier by using a password management solution that will assist you in creating strong passwords. Furthermore, when people work from home, you must ensure that they can access data remotely without jeopardising its security. You could use a VPN to help with this by encrypting your web traffic.
4. Back-up Your Data
As previously stated, a data breach can have a negative impact on your company's profitability or competitiveness. If your IT infrastructure is compromised, having a data backup solution can aid in data recovery efforts. Cloud services are one option for backing up your data because they allow you to store encrypted backups in the cloud. Simply test your backup services on a regular basis for any issues that may prevent you from accessing your data during critical times.
5. pdate Your Antivirus Software
Malware and viruses are a constant threat to your information technology infrastructure. Some of them are even sophisticated enough to circumvent your system's security measures. When your anti-virus software is up to date, it can detect the most recent version of malware and, as a result, neutralise the potential threat. To keep your defences always on, it may be best to automate the updating of your anti-virus software.
Final Thoughts
In today's world, IT security is a must for every business. There is no room for poor practices or technology products that may jeopardise your IT infrastructure's ability to hinder security threats. You might need professionals for this, so why not contact us?
At e-bits, we do it a bit differently. We're a fantastic group of dedicated specialists focused on one goal: keeping your IT running smoothly and efficiently.
