As technology grows and evolves, so too does cyberthreat environment. Keeping computer systems secure and ensuring data stays out of the hands of third parties with malicious intent should be an important consideration of enterprise IT managers in every industry. The expenses that come with an infected system continue to rise. A recent report from IBM found that the average consolidated cost of a data breach is now $3.8 million, a 23 percent increase from 2013. The stakes are high when it comes to keeping systems secure – so companies should take every precaution possible.
What can be done to protect systems and preserve configurations? Here are five ways IT managers can boost cybersecurity in today’s constantly changing technological environment:
1. Know what’s connected to your system
CSO contributor William Pelgrin noted that it’s important to have an intimate understanding ofwhat is on your company’s network. Computers, mobile devices, printers and servers are all types of computing hardware that could be vulnerable. Executives should take inventory of these parts and determine their level of security. This allows IT managers to have a working knowledge of maintenance schedules and security technologies connected to each device. This is especially important as bring-your-own-device policies are becoming acceptable – maybe even the norm – within certain industries. Keeping track of what devices and operating systems could potentially provide an entry point for malware into your network is crucial.
2. Educate employees
A business could have the best firewall in the world, but if employees aren’t properly trained on what websites to avoid or what emails not to click on, systems could still suffer from vulnerabilities. Security Magazine contributor Claire Meyer stressed that cybersecurity should be a team effort and shouldn’t just fall on the shoulders of the IT department.
“Cybersecurity is a universal task, and it needs a champion to keep security concerns and awareness in the minds of employees throughout the enterprise,” Meyer wrote.
Making sure employees are aware of their responsibilities when online can go a long way toward helping to strengthen network resilience and keep malware out of your systems.
3. Make a disaster recovery plan
Having an effective strategy for what to do when the unthinkable happens is as important as taking preventative steps. The way a business responds in the face of emergencies, including malware-related events, dictates how long it will take to recover from whatever disaster took place.
“Creating, implementing, and testing such plans as incident response, contingency, and continuity of operations are essential to ensure the resiliency of an organization to be able to handle intrusions and compromises and preserve and maintain business operations,” wrote CSO contributor Brian Contos.
4. Make sure your anti-virus software is up-to-date
Viruses and other malware may be able to infiltrate systems if organizations don’t have anti-virus programs or the ones currently installed are out of date. Pelgrin stressed that maintaining good computer hygiene is one of the most important parts of protecting systems against malicious programs, and updating these tools is one facet of keeping up with computer hygiene.
Products like Anti-Virus from Faronics can help organizations erect a barrier against malware. This computer monitoring software comes equipped with antivirus, firewall and anti-spyware tools that provide businesses with layered endpoint security – so there isn’t only one line of defense between you and malware.
5. Invest in reboot to restore software
When malware infiltrates a computer system, it can modify settings and potentially change important files. With reboot to restore software like Deep Freeze Enterprise, managers can reset configurations and wipe machines clean of malware with one press of a button.
Contact Faronics today to find out how we can help keep your company safe from cyber threats.
