Common Security Mistakes To Avoid
In our technologically advanced world, it cannot be denied that data breaches among organizations have become increasingly common and consequently, costly. Because of this, companies are under pressure to keep customers’ data safe and be transparent should data breach occur. Slow responses to security incident can result in fines from regulatory agencies; loss of customer trust and business revenue; time lost to the breach instead of continuous business processes, and possible litigation costs.
These data breaches are becoming more public and far reaching as years pass by. Thus, organizations should understand the consequences of such incidents so they can take the appropriate steps to mitigate their risk (such as installing antivirus Windows 8.1) and protect their company and customers.
In this article, we are going to discuss the common security mistakes of companies as well as the remedies for it.
1. Unable to Provide Adequate Training on Data Security
One of the main causes of data breach is human error or negligence. According to reports, phishing and pretexting (using someone else’s identity in order to obtain private information) makes up the majority of social-engineering related breaches. This security mistake often happens if a company tells its employees about cyber security practices only at the time of hire, instead of making this an ongoing priority.
To prevent this from happening, all businesses should do regular mandatory training for employees, especially if they use their own devices when working. By holding a solid training program, your employees can easily spot the threats and reduce the frequency and severity of actual incidents that can occur within the organization.
2. Implementing BYOD Policies
Some companies allow their employees to bring their own devices at work. While this saves company from buying new technologies, it can also put business-critical data at risk. Here are some of the negative impacts of BYOD policy:
As corporate and personal data are on the same device, there is a tendency that it will get mixed up and lost.
If the laptop or mobile phone that you use for work is stolen, you might lose all your company-related files.
If you download an app that happens to contain malware, it can affect the company’s data.
When employees access company data on their personal devices, it is important to have strict policies in place to avoid losing information or transmitting them to unauthorized parties. What you can do is you can set up remote wipe features on your device and make sure that your operating system and software are all up to date.
3. Forgetting to Backup Important Data
It is scary just by thinking that the data you lost in a security breach is gone forever. That could happen if your company does not regularly conduct data backup. Cyber-attacks like ransomware can hold your data hostage and delete them permanently if you don’t meet the hackers demands. Aside from installing antivirus Windows 8.1 to fend off ransomware attacks, you must also have a backup of your data. This way, you can restore a version of your files without giving into the demands of hackers. You can opt for either physical backups or cloud-based solutions.
Backups are not only protecting your organization from outside attacks, it can also be helpful when an employee accidentally deletes or modifies critical data, or when a system experiences a glitch and goes down. Data backups can prevent costly downtime and ensure business continuity in times of disasters.
4. Having No Response Team
In the event a data breach happens, you must have a response team ready to takeover. It should consist of several employees, including IT staff and executive management. Make sure that you have one person who will facilitate the response plan and would coordinate with the members. Assign one person as the breach team leader to make the process more organized and that each question has only one answer.
5. Not Using Antivirus Software
If you believe that your computer can stand all cybersecurity threats with pre-installed antimalware program, think again. With all the data breach incidents happening even in well-secured companies, you can never be complacent. Unless you're intentionally leaving your system open for viruses, do yourself a favor and install the best antivirus Windows 8.1, such as Comodo Internet Security. It is a comprehensive antivirus software that can safeguard your computer and protect your data against malicious programs and online threats. It also lets you work and transact online with confidence by keeping your browser safe. For only $29.99, you can get robust features that provide layers of security at home or in the office.
