Information security can be daunting whether you’re managing it on your own or working with a managed service provider like CM3. That’s why we’ve put together the top 6 areas to look at for enhancing your information security posture*.
1. Multi-factor authentication (MFA)
Passwords continue to be a weak link for many employees, who experience “password fatigue” due to the number of unique, complex passwords they are expected to maintain. This can lead to the greatest risk in password management — reusing passwords across accounts. Enabling and requiring MFA is one of the most effective ways to drastically reinforce digital security. MFA strengthens access security by requiring a second form of authentication in addition to a password, such as codes sent via text or email or provided through authenticator apps.
2. End user security awareness
The weakest link in your security chain is your end users. In addition to people making mistakes, phishing emails continue to grow in sophistication, making them much harder to detect. The obvious scam emails are no longer full of grammar and spelling mistakes. Today’s phishing email can be spoofed to look like one from your bank – down to the logo and email signature.
Users today have to be trained to spot to these new and improved phishing tricks — end user security awareness training helps them learn to identify and report suspected phishing attempts.
Additionally, the most successful security awareness campaigns promote a culture of security awareness within the company. This is best achieved through ongoing training programs, rather than a “one and done” training session.
3. Phishing and ransomware protection
Phishing is the leading cause for bad actors to gain entry into systems and data, while ransomware attacks continue to increase for businesses of all sizes. To defend against phishing and ransomware, layer multiple methods and solutions. In addition to end user training, add behavior-based anti-phishing detection and response and deploy robust endpoint security, DNS protection, firewalls, email backup and archiving.
4. Data management and compliance
Data is the top resource for today’s businesses, but many organizations do not take care of their data hygiene. Good data hygiene means identifying, defining, and maintaining who has access to what data and when, as well as strategically encrypting and archiving certain data.
5. Mobility and remote workers
The ubiquity of remote work means company data is spread across a much wider surface area, including multiple devices per employee. This creates security weaknesses, with mobile devices now one of the most targeted entry points for incoming malware through malicious wireless networks, application vulnerabilities, and lost or stolen devices. Add an extra layer of security to mobile endpoints by implementing device management and application management to smartphones, tablets, laptops, and IoT devices.
6. Test and re-test
A strategy that’s never tested is just a hypothesis. It’s critical to perform regularly scheduled check-ins to assess security systems and processes, so you can ensure that everything is performing as planned.
CM3 provides information security services, from consultation and assessment to ongoing programs. Please reach out for more information.
*CM3 leverages the PAX8 platform, and this information was compiled from content provided by PAX8.