The security of your business internet network is extremely important. With cyber threats targeting businesses with user data becoming more valuable for hackers, it’s crucial to implement effective measures to protect your data, including your customer’s data. Getting a professional security firm is always a significant investment. Recovering from a security breach will cost you more financially and destroy your reputation. Here are some necessary things you can do to start with some basic security.
Let’s start with a scary history of companies that have faced security breaches.
- Equifax Data Breach (2017): One of the largest data breaches in history.
- WannaCry Ransomware Attack (2017): A global cyberattack that targeted computers running the Microsoft Windows operating system.
- Target Data Breach (2013): Hackers infiltrated Target’s network by compromising a third-party HVAC vendor.
- Yahoo Data Breaches (2013-2016): Yahoo suffered multiple data breaches, affecting billions of user accounts.
- Marriott International Data Breach (2018): Hackers gained unauthorized access to the Starwood guest reservation database.
- SolarWinds Supply Chain Attack (2020): Hackers compromised SolarWinds’ software development system, injecting malware into software updates.
- JPMorgan Chase Data Breach (2014): Hackers gained access to JPMorgan Chase’s network, compromising the personal information of approximately 83 million customers.
- eBay Data Breach (2014): Cybercriminals infiltrated eBay’s network, gaining access to a database containing personal information, including names, addresses, and encrypted passwords, of approximately 145 million users.
- Sony Pictures Hack (2014): A cyberattack on Sony Pictures Entertainment resulted in the exposure of sensitive internal documents, unreleased films, and personal information of employees, including Social Security numbers and emails.
- Colonial Pipeline Ransomware Attack (2021): A major ransomware attack targeted Colonial Pipeline, a crucial fuel pipeline operator in the United States.
Implement Strong Network Access
Implementing robust access controls is one of the primary steps to securing your business internet network. This includes using strong passwords, enabling two-factor authentication (2FA), and enforcing role-based access controls (RBAC). By limiting access to authorized personnel only, you can minimize the risk of unauthorized individuals gaining entry into your network.
Regularly Update and Patch Software
Software vulnerabilities can serve as entry points for cyber attackers. Therefore, keeping all software, including operating systems and applications, up to date with the latest security patches is vital. In addition, regularly checking for software updates and promptly applying them helps safeguard your network against known vulnerabilities. Here at binaryBlackboard, we set a consistent schedule on when to scan for all software updates and keep up with the latest tech news for any information on security flaws.
Deploy Firewalls and Intrusion Detection Systems (IDS)
Firewalls act as the first line of defense for your business internet network. They monitor and filter incoming and outgoing network traffic, blocking unauthorized access attempts. Additionally, deploying intrusion detection systems (IDS) can help detect suspicious activities and potential intrusions in real time, enabling swift response and mitigation.
Encrypt Network Traffic and Data Storage
Encryption is a crucial component of securing your business internet network. Encrypting your network traffic ensures that sensitive information transmitted over the network remains secure and inaccessible to unauthorized personnel. In addition, implementing protocols like SSL/TLS for website traffic and VPNs for remote access can significantly enhance your network’s security. Just remember that with encryption, you are only. As safe as the encryption password. So make sure that is not your dog’s name or your birthday. We highly recommend using a password manager that can create a long and complex password. I always say that if you can remember your password by heart, then it is not secure.
Conduct Regular Security Audits and Assessments
Regularly initiate comprehensive security audits and assessments. This is best done by a professional security company. These assessments help identify vulnerabilities, misconfigurations, and potential a weak network infrastructure. By conducting such audits, you can proactively address security gaps and implement necessary improvements.
Educate Employees on Cybersecurity Best Practices
Your employees play a vital role in maintaining network security. Educate them on cybersecurity best practices, such as recognizing phishing attempts, avoiding suspicious downloads, and practicing good password hygiene using a password manager. Conduct regular training sessions and provide resources to help employees stay updated on the latest security threats and mitigation techniques. Add this as part of your weekly or monthly meetings. You can also find many security courses for your employees.
Employee computer security
- Keeper (Password manager)
- SentryPC (Monitor, Filter, Control)
- Bitdefender (Business computer security)
Implement Network Segmentation
Network segmentation involves dividing your business internet network into separate segments or subnetworks, each with controlled access and security policies. This approach limits the lateral movement of attackers, containing potential breaches and minimizing their impact. Segmenting your network also helps prioritize and allocate security resources more effectively. This is even more important if you offer public WiFi access to your customers. Public WiFi networks are usually the primary doorway for hackers to infiltrate your network. Protecting your public WiFi will also protect your customers, so providing information about using a VPN can help keep their devices and your whole network safe.
Backup and Disaster Recovery
Regularly backing up critical data and implementing a robust disaster recovery plan should be components of your network security. In the event of a security incident or data breach, having secure backups ensures that you can restore your data and resume operations with minimal downtime. I’m sure you have heard about the many companies that have been targeted for ransomware. You can fight back by not paying the ransom since you have a backup to restore before the infiltration occured. Be sure to test your backups regularly to verify their integrity and effectiveness.
Monitor and Analyze Network Traffic
Implementing network monitoring and analysis tools allows you to detect anomalies, unusual patterns, and potential security breaches. By monitoring network traffic, you can identify suspicious activities, conduct forensic analysis, and respond promptly to mitigate threats. Consider using intrusion prevention systems (IPS) and security information and event management (SIEM) solutions for comprehensive network monitoring. Don’t skimp on these necessary tools.
Here is a short list of the security vulnerabilities that keep me up at night.
- Data Breaches: Unauthorized access to sensitive data, exposing customer information or proprietary data.
- Phishing Attacks: Fraudulent attempts to obtain sensitive information by posing as a known entity via email, phone calls, or text messages.
- Ransomware Attacks: Malicious software that encrypts files and demands a ransom in exchange for their release.
- Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) Attacks: Overwhelming a network or website with traffic, rendering it inaccessible to legitimate users.
- Insider Threats: Security breaches caused by employees, contractors, or individuals with authorized access to the network who exploit their privileges for malicious purposes.
- Malware Infections: The introduction of malicious software, such as viruses or Trojans, can compromise network security and data integrity.
- Social Engineering Attacks: Manipulating individuals to gain unauthorized access to sensitive information or bypass security measures.
- Vulnerability Exploits: Exploiting weaknesses or vulnerabilities in software or hardware components to gain unauthorized access or control over a network.
- Zero-day Exploits: Attacks take advantage of unknown vulnerabilities before they are discovered or patched by software vendors.
- Unauthorized Access: Infiltration of a network by individuals who bypass authentication mechanisms or gain access to privileged accounts.
