Getting it right
Managing risk is more of a discipline than might be imagined. Steps can be actively taken to ensure your business is not affected by a failure of the technology it depends upon.
TAL are experienced in helping businesses implement products and procedures to reduce their exposure and risk of security breaches.
 Click Here to collapse the overview of what steps you can take to minimise your business risk.
12 Steps to Security
1 Educate yourself
Reading this is a good start. For more information, there are plenty of good sources on the internet aimed at non-technical users. Spending an afternoon browsing these sites really could be time well-spent.
Technical jargon buster www.howstuffworks.com
Further security information www.bcentral.co.uk/security
2 Make a plan
Information security is more than just getting the right technology – you’ll need to consider people, policies and processes.
The first thing to do is establish where you are now. Then, consider who you would turn to if your system went down and find a supplier who can service your computers and network regularly. Work with them to write a security plan that will protect your business.
To find a partner visit www.bcentral.co.uk/security
3 Install virus protection
As computer viruses can easily cripple your business in just a few seconds, comprehensive virus protection is essential. And as new viruses are emerging all the time, you’ll need to download the latest virus ‘signatures’ regularly. Many anti-virus products offer automatic updates.
Directory of anti-virus suppliers www.microsoft.com/security/partners/antivirus.asp
4 Set up a firewall
Firewalls are designed to stop unwanted Internet traffic getting into your systems. If you have Windows® XP, you should switch on the built-in Internet Connection Firewall. For the best protection, it’s a good idea to have two firewalls from different manufacturers.
For Firewall software visit www.mcafeesecurity.com, www.symantec.com, www.zonelabs.com
For information on Microsoft® Internet Connection Firewall
www.microsoft.com/technet/columns/security/5min/5min-101.asp
5 Stay current
Cyber criminals are constantly looking for weak spots to attack, so make sure your systems are up to date. Ideally, you should set your systems to download ‘patches’ automatically. If you are operating Windows 95 or 98, you should consider upgrading.
For updates visit www.windowsupdate.com,
www.officeupdate.com
6 Use strong passwords
Once a hacker has got your password, your security systems are worthless, so don’t make it easy for them. Avoid using obvious words and use a mix of upper and lower case letters, numerals and punctuation marks. Treat your passwords like your PIN and don’t divulge them to anyone, change them regularly.
For information on strong password policies visit
www.microsoft.com/technet/columns/security/5min/5min-302.asp
7 Watch your emails
Most viruses arrive via email, so don’t open anything that’s unknown, unexpected or suspicious – even from someone you know.
To secure Microsoft Outlook® visit www.microsoft.com/technet/columns/security/5min/5min-102.asp
For anti-spam software visit www.cloudmark.com,
www.mailfrontier.com
8 Watch where you’re web browsing
Just browsing the internet can expose you to virus attacks because some websites can embed malicious programs in their pages. Internet explorer can help protect you from unknown or untrusted sites.
Learn more about IT security www.microsoft.com/windows/ie/using/howto/security/settings.asp
9 Make remote access safer
Remote working is increasingly popular, but it has its risks.
Data travelling across the Internet can be intercepted and/or tampered with, so it’s vital you control access to your network and encrypt any information in transit.
For more info on remote access visit www.microsoft.com/technet/security/topics/mobile/default.asp
10 Protect your laptops
Having your laptop stolen could cost you more than just the hardware – without the right protection, the thief could access all you data too.
So, think twice about the data your keep on your laptop and, where possible, use BIOS passwords and encrypt your files.
To encrypt your files visit www.microsoft.com/technet/columns/security/5min/5min-205.asp
11 Ensure your wireless networks are secure
Wireless networks are flexible and useful, but they’re not always secure. It can be easy for criminals to freeload off your Internet bandwidth and even gain access to your systems. Ensure you secure your system to prevent access.
To strengthen your wireless network visit www.microsoft.com/technet/columns/security/5min/5min-106.asp
12 Backup frequently
Backups are the last line in defence against hardware failure, floods, fires and the damage caused by a security breach.
It’s advisable to review your backup process, work out what data you need and how frequently it needs to be backed up. You should test restoring data from time to time to make sure your system worksand ensure you keep critical backups offsite.
For more information visit www.bcentral.co.uk/security |
