In 2021–22, almost 90% of businesses utilised ICT and 60% used cloud technology, with those figures trending upwards year on year. In other words, the vast majority of businesses rely on modern computing to function, and more businesses continue to embrace new technologies like the cloud. In a world where technology plays a fundamental role in business, it’s never been a more exciting time to innovate and embrace new ways to complete old tasks. It also means that finding ways to be more cyber secure should now be a priority for all modern enterprises.
In a previous article, we discussed what leaders and employees should consider when creating a culture of cyber security at work. While these tips are a positive step towards creating good security habits, it’s important to reinforce that cyber security culture with practical, real-world actions that create a truly cyber secure business.
How to make your business more cyber secure
1. Keep data and devices protected from all points
It’s important to review your current protections and consider if they are enough to keep your business safe. Entry level antivirus software, for example, is effective for detecting malware behaviour and signatures as they attempt to infect your system. But it may not be enough to defend against more sinister, sophisticated and persistent cyber threats.
Businesses now face unknown malware, advanced persistent threats and even criminal enterprises that provide ‘cybercrime-as-a-service’. The sheer amount of malware that is created and distributed daily means it can take hours or even days to update your existing software, making it difficult to stay constantly secure.
One of the best actions is to apply endpoint protection and cloud-based filtering systems. Advanced Endpoint protection solutions protect systems from file, fireless, script-based and zero-day threats by using machine-learning or behavioural analysis. Traditional reactive endpoint security tools such as firewalls and antivirus software generally depend upon known threat information to detect attacks
Endpoint protection solutions can defend desktops, laptops and mobile devices, or your “endpoints”, from malicious activity against your network. Cloud-based filtering systems allow or block access to specific websites, content or files in real time depending on your filter parameters.
It is also important to ensure you have security that covers all points of entry, including:
- mobiles and remote devices
- internet traffic and data
- emails
- supply chain data
- internet of Things (IoT) devices including smart thermostats, cameras and wearables.
2. Establish a proactive, reactive and on-going action plan
No matter the size of your business, panic and confusion is the last thing you should experience during a cyberattack. Failing to suitably react to security threats can result in significant downtime and costs, with losses during recovery ranging from $39,000 to $88,000. That is why it is important to have a security incident response in place.
A security incident response is an invaluable plan to help minimise and prevent cyberattacks on your business. They’re essential for reducing recovery times, costs and risk. They include protocols for different and specific cyberattack scenarios, with information and procedures on how to:
- prevent further spread
- ensure eradication of the threat
- facilitate recovery of affected systems and data
- communication protocols with relevant stakeholders including IT teams, security professionals, legal counsel and executive leadership.
Security incident responses also include post-incident analysis, which is a crucial step for improving not only your ability to handle a cyber-related incident, but your ability to identify a potential threat in the future.
3. Actively manage your firewall
Some solutions are sold on their ability to work in the background, giving you the freedom to think about other things. However, all cyber security systems need a level of human intervention at some stage. Firewalls, for example, can be breached or dismantled completely by cyber criminals, or require patches and updates in order to face new threats.
Whether it’s delegating the responsibilities to your team or partnering with an external professional like Rubicon 8, your business’ safety depends on active administration, monitoring and maintenance of firewall infrastructure, policy management, upgrades and patch deployment. This may include:
- regularly reviewing and updating security policies
- keeping track of your authorised users
- checking on upcoming software updates and confirming update schedules.
4. Audit regularly
IT and cyber security audits are essential for evaluating your business’ IT infrastructure, policies, procedures and practices. They help identify threats and vulnerabilities and expose any weaknesses and high-risk practices.
Regular audits do more than help your business become more cyber secure. They also:
- educate your employees on current threats and best practices
- reaffirm the faith customers and stakeholders have in you.
Ultimately, maintaining a regular audit schedule can help your business’s resilience and value.
You can conduct your audits monthly or annually. There is no universal minimum standard for the number of cyber security audits per year. To determine the best frequency for your business:
- review the scale of your network and IT infrastructure
- check industry standards and compare your current practices
- check for any potential regulatory requirements.
Become more cyber secure with Rubicon 8
Cyber security needs to take a front seat so businesses can operate safely and confidently in a predominantly techno-centric landscape. Actions like monitoring your systems, planning for the future and applying security to all endpoints are practical steps you can take to make your business more successful. Rubicon 8 is available to help you protect your business data, assets and people. Our team of advisors can deploy suitable security systems to protect your business, with the expertise to monitor and maintain them on your behalf. This can free you up to continue innovating with the reassurance that someone is keeping you cyber secure. Contact us today
