Security Measures That Every Business Needs To Undertake | #hrmanagement #hrexecutive

Today, more data is stored online than ever before. Because of that, the need to keep critical data secure remains an urgent need for most companies. Data breaches can instantly result in threats to the entire company, from losing important security and client information to other companies having access to trade secrets. Malicious activity has the potential to bring a billion dollar empire to its knees in a matter of days. That is why every business, regardless of size, needs to implement security measures like these to keep their information safe. 

Provide Remote Workers With Protective Software

Remote workers are the bread and butter of every business. They cut down on operating costs and are known for having increased production rates, especially when a flexible schedule is offered. 

Workers that are working from home come with increased risk because they are not hooked up to the corporate network. Home networks are known for not being complex systems. They often lack the security systems that corporations have in place to prevent unauthorized access, making them more likely to suffer from security threats. As soon as malware viruses make their way onto your employee’s computers, they can gain access to your business via a simple email that is sent. 

In order to prevent a future cyber-attack, it remains critical to provide remote workers with security software, such as antivirus software. This alone can help prevent malicious viruses, including malware, from making their way into your business’s network. 

However, it’s important to note that antivirus software is not 100% effective. According to this research, antivirus software is 90%-98% effective. Because of that, it’s important to implement other security measures in addition to this software. 

Programming photo created by DCStudio – www.freepik.com

Educate Employees

Educating employees can go a long way toward helping you to protect your company. Common schemes, such as phishing, are an easy way for hackers to get into your business’s system and steal important data. 

Before employees begin working from home, include an educational component regarding the prevention of cyberattacks in their training. Remind them of the importance of not opening emails. Prohibit downloading software onto business computers. Employees should have a clear understanding of what a phishing attack looks like to ensure that they do not give someone their credentials by mistake. Implementing security policies into contracts that employees have to sign is a spectacular way to demonstrate how serious the company takes security protocol. 

Local and online classes offer a wonderful opportunity for both employees and employers. Encouraging your team to learn about software, viruses and other security threats can drastically help your company. This can also encourage continuous education for your employees, which comes with several benefits. 

Block Access

Blocking access to portions of the business network can help mitigate security threats. Business’s have the option to register employees’ IP addresses. They can then use those addresses to block off portions of the company network. 

However, it’s important to note that this security measure means that it is vital for your network to be able to recognize every device. Implementing this strategy will take both time and resources. It’s important to carefully plan this strategy to make sure that implementation is as seamless as possible. 

Application Security

Applications, also known as apps, are often one of the biggest security threats to businesses. They seldom offer the same protections that websites and web browsers offer, meaning that they may contain a virus when they are downloaded. This also means that apps are more prone to malicious attacks. Vulnerable applications are one of the easiest ways for hackers to infiltrate your network. 

Hire a managed IT provider to create a secure framework for your applications. They can perform a deep inspection, determine vulnerabilities, and then guarantee that all of the applications that you depend on are secure. 

Cloud Security

Modern businesses often store their critical data online. This is called storing it in a cloud, and is why cloud security solutions remain one of critical security measures that every business needs to take. These solutions include security measures for applications. Security professionals will use modern technology to help your business develop the security that it needs in order to thrive. 

Security Policies

Security policies are an important part of helping your business remain secure. Often, security policies that apply to employees are written in a contract that they sign upon being hired. These security measures often include: 

• Limiting network access to remote workers that do not need it
• Using multi-factor authentications for logging in for additional protection
• Not allowing employees to use the company network or Wi-Fi for their phones or other personal devices, such as tablets
• A commitment to running anti-virus software on a regular basis
• Not allowing employees to store data or documents on a public cloud
• Permission for the company to monitor what employees do when they are on the company computer

When employees commit to this, it both helps to protect the company against future security threats and shows employees that business security is a serious matter that should not be taken lightly. 

Data Loss Prevention Technologies

These technologies help prevent employees from downloading or sending information in an unsafe manner. The most common example of this is an email encryption service. When emails are encrypted, it helps to keep information safe so that viruses cannot access it. 

Behavioral Analytics Tools

These tools are useful for tracking things within a company’s network. They are particularly useful in determining whether employees are breaching their contract by logging into the network with personal devices. Behavior analytics tools are capable of analyzing all of the traffic in your network. They are able to look at common behavioral patterns to alert businesses of abnormal behavior, helping them be aware of and prevent security threats. 

Email Security Applications

Email security is often overlooked. While phishing attacks are common, these often take place outside of emails because hackers use more sophisticated technology, such as fake websites. Educating employees on the dangers of emails from unrecognized senders is one important component of preventing security attacks, but email security services are also essential.  Email encryption services are only a small portion of the email services your company needs to utilize. In addition to these services, email security applications should be used to help detect and prevent cybersecurity threats.