It Is Network Security Spring Cleaning Time: Are You Ready?
How many times have you misplaced something in your own home? How many times have you found an item you thought you lost because it had been so long since you saw it? These incidents may have resulted in you telling yourself that it is time to start cleaning your home so you can become more organized. When you start cleaning and sorting everything, you will probably reach the conclusion that you may need to secure the items that you find valuable so you will not have to tear a room apart just to find them.
This same type of approach can be taken in the workplace. Your business has valuable information that you need on a daily basis, and you need to be able to find this data whenever you need it. However, you cannot protect the valuable data if you do not know where it is in the first place, right?
Valuable and Sensitive Data
Some of the most important data that your small business will have includes: sensitive customer information, credit/debit card information, employee data, social security numbers, and so much more. In an organized workplace, you will know exactly where all of the sensitive data can be found. However, in an ever-changing and complex IT world, critical information can be found in the most unexpected places. As time goes on, it will not be difficult for anyone to misplace critical data.
Thankfully, there are ways to identify your most sensitive data and how it is navigating through our business. Once you undergo a scan of your critical data, you will be able to move forward in determining if you have the right measures in place to protect your data. You may also need to make a decision about whether some data will need to be removed until you have the right security protection in place. It is important that your IT or security team is protecting your business's most sensitive data.
Is It Time For A New Password?
How many of your accounts have the same password? How many of your employees are using the same password for their accounts? If you want to improve the security throughout your organization, we encourage you to create password policies. Once you create password policies and train your employees on how to create strong passwords, you can reduce the chances of being a victim of a hack or other cyber attack. We know how easy it is to remember passwords like"snoopy" or "password", but please avoid using those passwords.
Do You Have The Latest Software Versions?
How often do you ensure all of your software has been updated to the latest recommended version? If you want to secure your data that is stored in the software you use, we encourage you to take some time to update your computers and other devices that are used in the workplace. It is also important to remember that any routers you use will also need to be updated. If there are any vulnerabilities in your software and a new update is released, we encourage you to ensure you are using the latest version.
Many homeowners begin their spring cleaning as soon as the first day of spring arrives. Taking the time for a little spring cleaning in the workplace can be the difference in protected data and unprotected data. You want your workplace to run without any disruptions or disturbances, and a little spring cleaning can keep your business running smoothly for the rest of the year.
What do you plan to add to your cybersecurity spring cleaning checklist? Please do not hesitate to contact us when you are ready to do some network security spring cleaning.