Why Businesses Need a Multi-Layered Approach to IT
5 ways to build a stronger security strategy for your company
In today’s business IT landscape, companies of all sizes face cybersecurity threats from many different vectors—whether it’s an email with embedded phishing links or an all-out denial of service attack. Advanced malware, hacking techniques and vulnerabilities in networks and software are raising the stakes—and with them, the need for multiple layers of protection that guard your network, data and employees through all stages of an attack.
Here are 5 ways to build a multi-layered IT security strategy.
1. Don’t miss the basics
The first step to a multi-layered defense is to make sure you are protected at the ground level. This includes intact firewalls for devices, up-to-date software, the latest patches and current anti-malware software that can detect and neutralize the latest malicious software.
In FireEye’s 2020 Cybersecurity Trends report, 29 percent of organizations with cyberattack and breach response plans in place have not updated or tested them in the past year.
2. Educate employees
Education is an effective approach to mitigating the effects of cyber attacks. Without education on IT security threats, a business can invest in software and hardware security but still fall prey to a simple mistake by an employee.
A data analysis conducted in the United Kingdom from CybSafe found that human error accounted for 90 percent of data breaches.
3. Create backups
Businesses should have a backup and disaster recovery plan. Backups should be managed and tested regularly to ensure data is accessible and can be recovered in the event the network is compromised.
According to managed services provider Datto: “An hour of downtime costs $8,000 for a small company, $74,000 for a medium company and $700,000 for a large enterprise.” For large enterprises, this equates to around $11,600 per minute.
4. Use strong passwords
Password managers are a must. Use two-factor authentication for your accounts. It’s important also to know when passwords are being shared and with whom.
5. Protect office communication channels
Incoming and outgoing communication—especially corporate email—is a common target for cyber threats. Strong email security should include anti-spam and spam filters. Encryption software that secures both the email and the connection between servers can prevent your emails from being intercepted and read by hackers, and mined for data.
Even with threats from all sides, some companies can’t afford large IT staffs or the task of managing network security in-house. A managed solution, like Arvig’s Business IT, can reduce the burden of network security. Find out more here.
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