Three cyber security tips for employees – how to improve habits
As employees should constantly be reminded, they act as your business’s first line of defence for cyber security. Guaranteeing that your systems are protected against malware, ransomware, viruses and other malicious activity may not be realistic, but your protection levels can be significantly improved by training your employees in IT security. Making them aware of a few basic practices will have a significant effect on your business, ensuring that its digital integrity and IT infrastructure remains as secure as possible. Our experts have compiled a list of the best habits your employees should practice, increasing the defence against these threats.
1. Password strength
Generally speaking, all that stands between an individual and access to your system is a password. Using weak passwords that are easy to guess or, even worse, are written down near the system, can have disastrous consequences. As such, training on password security is essential for your employees, significantly boosting your level of security. If employees are using weak passwords on their work accounts, it is likely they are also using weak passwords for their personal accounts, so training in this area will have a direct impact on their own data security too. If possible, set automatic password policies and changes on your systems, so that compliance is guaranteed.
2. Don’t download unauthorised software
An easy way of cyber criminals disguising malicious programmes is through free to download software on the internet, often posing as ‘helpful alternatives’ to otherwise expensive applications. By making sure that employees know the dangers of installing foreign programmes onto the system, they are far less likely to do this. Given that most employees have preinstalled software on their work computers, they should have no need to install any alternative software. As such, it may be worth considering locking down the overall IT system by removing the ability for unauthorised users to install programmes in the first place.
3. Physical security awareness
As well as considering the technical side of IT security, there are also a number of good practices based on physical security. Employees with a messy desk tend to leave important smartphones, tablets and USB drives which contain secure and personal information out in the open. It’s also likely that they will not physically secure their laptops and other equipment so that an individual can’t just pick them up and walk away. Furthermore, cluttered desks may make it more difficult to notice when something is missing, with this time delay decreasing the likelihood of the perpetrator and the equipment being found. As such, ensure that systems are in place for securing all devices, as well as monitoring the location and storage of smaller hardware that contains sensitive information.
CARA Technology prides itself on providing professional and affordable IT support services and solutions that are specifically tailored to match your business needs. For more information about the services we provide, please visit our website, and if you need any advice or want some help then please contact us today.
