Covid-19 has not only changed the way we work but also has created many opportunities for cyber-attacks. Every day we hear that there are hacking groups targeting employees who are working from home or scammers who interrupt our daily activities, causing distress or even harm.
Regardless of whether you are working from home, office or anywhere else you must take action to ensure your business is safe and your data protected!
Here are some things you should consider to reduce the risk of data breach and keep your business safe when working from home, office and anywhere:
- Have appropriate policies and procedures in place – this will allow you not only to protect your digital data but also to explain how your employees should deal with incidents
- Risk assessment, data integrity and availability are important
- Software updates and security patches are essential
- Make sure default router/modem passwords are changed
- Setting permissions and using encryption are essential – these methods can be used to protect sensitive data from prying eyes
- Strong passwords can help you protect your business – P4$$w0rD is not a good password
- Have an automated data backup in place – incremental backup should be performed daily and checked to ensure it is working
- Enable two-factor authentication
- Turn on Windows Firewall even if you have a firewall on your network
- GDPR/Data Protection Act regulations can play a key role in data safety; in data you collect, hold, process and share
- Run staff training and stay vigilant
- Talk to your trusted IT specialist if in any doubt!
These are all steps you can take yourself – but they are also services we as IT professionals offer.
We have a team of professionals who have many years of experience implementing these solutions – including during lockdown saving a business that has had every file on their system encrypted by a virus, as our backup worked for them.
We are also putting Clive’s Master Degree in Cyber Security to work. He and Diana now provide services at board and senior management level to risk assess company IT governance and procedures. From these reports they can deliver accountable, compliant action plans using an internationally recognised standard with a strong emphasis on improving cost effectiveness – something we will all need if there is a recession.
If you think you should raise your IT game then I’d be happy to talk to you.
Kamila
General Manager
