Employees are a critical part of business operations. They are human resources that are largely responsible for the smooth and efficient functioning of the firm. Unfortunately, too many workers are unaware of the impact they can have if they do not follow the established security measures. Not to worry!
Discover the best practices that an employee of a firm can follow to safeguard critical data and maintain robust IT security.
Read below the different steps one can take to protect personal and company data.
Create Strong Passwords and Frequently Change Them
Passwords are an excellent way of preventing any unauthorized users from gaining access to data. However, they can only properly function if they have been developed to be difficult to crack. The ideal password should be between 10-12 characters and should contain upper-case and lower-case letters, numbers, and special characters.
Along with this, it should not be something that can be easily determined like a birthdate. At every crucial checkpoint, the password used should be unique and distinct from other passwords. Make sure to regularly change passwords once every 2-3 months.
Update Your Device ASAP
System updates are one of your best allies in protecting your device and data. With every patch update, there is usually some mending and upgrading of applications and antivirus software. These are the basic but necessary shields against cyberthreats. Make sure to enable automatic updates for ease.
Secure Your Device and Utilize Trusted Networks Only
An easy but often forgotten manner of causing security breaches is not proper securing of devices. Leaving a laptop open unattended can garner unwanted attention with malicious intent. Developing a habit of regularly locking the device before leaving is good practice. Additionally, important data should have another layer of authentication to restrict access in the event of theft.
Secondly, utilizing unsecure networks like public Wi-Fi networks is a big security risk. Only trusted networks that have been verified such as company or home Wi-Fi should be used when operating the device. If a public network must be connected to, ensure a Virtual Private Network (VPN) encrypts data and masks the IP address.
Also Read: The Do’s and Don’ts of Internet Browsing
Regularly Educate Yourself on Robust IT Security Practices
The best method to maintaining robust IT security is to read up on and educate yourself. Firstly, the security training provided by the company should be carefully understood. Any other training, workshop, or course the firm might offer can help you stay regularly informed.
By attending them, an employee can learn about different types of attacks and threats they can harbor by being careless. It teaches how to respond to and report suspicious activities. Finally, it makes the employee aware of the disciplinary and legal actions that would be taken if they indulge in illegal activity.
