What Are The Challenges Of Computer Security In Business?

A context favorable to attacks

The security of information systems in companies has become a major issue because cyber threats have increased in recent years. Skyrocket of remote work due to the pandemic, war in Ukraine, easy money made with hacking, etc.

Companies had to digitize very quickly to promote teleworking during the pandemic without taking the time to consider the potential impacts in terms of IT security.

Threats to business

Companies are not always aware of the cyber threats hanging over them. Cybersecurity is particularly neglected by VSEs (Very Small Enterprises) and SMEs (Small and Medium Enterprises), which have other priorities on a daily basis.

However, three-quarters of the attacks are suffered by the latter. Almost 80% of companies die after six months after a cyber-attack. This is a little-known reality that is sometimes taken lightly. But when an attack occurs, there is amazement and panic.

How to Ensure the Security of Document Management Solutions?

The security of EDM (Electronic Document Management) solutions is part of a more global security policy for the company’s information systems.

Identify risks

The risks to data security can be of several types:

• User negligence (handling error) can lead to the destruction of a document and the loss of data.
• A computer malfunction (network failure or failure of a terminal) can corrupt a document and prevent it from being read.
• Computer hacking (insecure EDM solutions can be entry points for attacks on computer systems).
• The inadvertent dissemination of confidential information (collaborative work, instant messaging, free access to one’s messaging system can lead to involuntary data leaks from the company).

Raising employee awareness of computer security

The first thing to do in an organization to protect itself from threats is to teach its employees good practices in terms of computer security.

Some of the safety rules to follow include:

• Change your passwords regularly.
• Automatically update software and applications.
• Save your documents in two different places.
• Never open an attachment from a suspicious email.
• Separate the private sphere from the professional sphere.
• Make a counter-call to verify the veracity of a transfer request.
• Do not connect to public hotspots while teleworking.
• Update anti-virus applications and anti-phishing filters.
• Set up a VPN (Virtual Private Network) on the computer used at home.
• Etc.

Protect Yourself By Choosing A Secure GED Solution.

A secure document management solution requires the following:

• Secure access in HTTPS
• Reliable hosting (several simultaneous backups on several remote servers)
• A unification of access and sharing protocols
• Data encrypted in SSL ( Secure Sockets Layer )
• Documentary traceability (some EDM software categorizes and authorizes consultations, modifications or deletions according to the identity of the user)
• Individual access is secured by a personal username and password.
• An archive retention protocol that complies with legal requirements, particularly in terms of financial and personal data (compliance with the GDPR)
• Access to secure workspaces, where document sharing ensures data protection
• The encryption of documents at the time of their archiving, with a key using an encryption protocol such as AES (Advanced Encryption Standard)
• Certification of the GED solution by the ISO 27001 standard
• Data reversibility

Visit the Turn-Key Solutions (TKS) website for the best Document Management System. We are an IT Solutions Provider company that provides Secure Managed Services.

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The idea is not to panic but only to make you aware that even the biggest companies can be victims of cybercriminals.

In this article, we suggest you learn more about the three most common types of cyberattacks and the means to implement them to avoid them.

Phishing

If you’ve been following the saga about Russian interference in the last US presidential election in 2016, then you may know that a “rigged” email using Gmail codes is behind this mess.

Phishing is certainly the most widespread cyberattack on the web. It is a phishing technique that consists in usurping the identity of a trusted person or company to collect personal information (bank identifiers, passwords, etc.).

Most of the time, and this is what happened in the history of Russian interference; an email was sent to you asking you to click on a link.

While you think you are being redirected to the site of the structure in question, you are actually diverted to a site created identically by cyber criminals. You are then asked to enter certain information, and this is when it is collected and then exploited by the “hackers.”

This cyberattack is not directly related to a security breach in your computer system. On the contrary, it exploits your lack of attention.

Pay attention to the emails (even SMS) you receive:

• Try to identify spelling mistakes or poor-quality visuals
• Check the structure of the email address
• Do not click directly on the link, but enter it manually in your search bar
• Before entering confidential data, make sure that the link URL begins with “https”
• Contact the organization that seems to have been usurped to remove any doubt about the message received

Warning: Be aware that most organizations never ask their customers to enter confidential information by email or SMS.

The Man in the Middle Attack (MITM)

This cyberattack translates to “man-in-the-middle” (HDM) and can take various forms. Most of the time, a hacker manages to position himself between a client and a server to intercept the data exchanged.

In a more concrete example, the attack could take place when you (the client) fill in the information on the site of your bank (the server). The HDM recovers your data and then uses it without your knowledge.

Typically, MITM cyberattacks take place when you connect to a compromised public Wi-Fi network. By usurping the latter, the cybercriminal can spy on all your actions on the web and easily recover your passwords your credit card number, and even see your exchanges by SMS, on Facebook, etc.

The best prevention against a Man in the Middle attack remains the use of a VPN, which encrypts your data, making it incomprehensible to hackers.

Also, avoid connecting to public networks to make purchases, connect to your bank’s website or do anything else that requires you to enter or communicate sensitive data.

Malware

Malware, a contraction of “malicious” and “software,” is a malicious program that installs itself on your computer or any other device.

Among the most widespread malware are viruses, ransomware, which holds your personal data for ransom, or crypto-jacking, which uses computer resources to secretly mine cryptocurrency.

Malware is the “easiest” cyber threat to avoid because it involves device security. To protect yourself, you should install firewalls and antivirus software.

Another way to guard against this kind of cyberattack is to keep your operating system up to date. This allows your device to install necessary fixes for security vulnerabilities.

Note that the appearance of a toolbar that you did not install, a sudden drop in the performance of your device, or constant pop-ups should alert you. These are signs that you are infected with malware.

Turn-Key Solutions (TKS) provides its clients with the best IT services in Alabama, like data backup solutions and document management services. 

The post Three Common Types of Cyber-Attacks and How to Avoid Them first appeared on TKS.

As a business leader, you are directly aware of security issues. Your information system is likely to be threatened by various attacks, damaging the integrity of your data and that of your customers. Perhaps you feel overwhelmed by the scope and number of actions to be implemented, or are you actively preparing for an upcoming security audit? This blog gives eight tips to strengthen IT security for businesses at a low cost.

Physically Protect Your Infrastructure

The physical security of your computer equipment (hardware) has a double challenge. It is a question both of sustaining expensive equipment, which could be damaged in the event of a disaster or of a local or remote attack, and of protecting the content of your PCs, servers, and other storage equipment. The physical security of your information system requires the use of leak or fire detectors. Moving sensitive equipment (racks and servers) to dedicated, locked rooms to restrict access to authorized persons is also recommended.

Protect Internet Access

Business IT security begins with protection from the outside. Your Internet connection must always be secure, especially if you have generalized the use of Wifi to make life easier for your employees. The web is a gateway for hackers and malicious software (malware).

Use a WPA or WPA2 key, which is a reliable security protocol. If your employees use your company’s connection to surf the web with their own equipment (Smartphones), their devices must have a sufficient level of security. If necessary, you can prohibit the use of external and unrecognized devices as a precautionary principle.

Protect the Computer Network

Many threats can affect the integrity of your networks: viruses, malware, ransomware, hackers, etc. Fortunately, different security solutions help businesses protect themselves properly. A firewall must imperatively be installed and functioning on all workstations, including mobile ones, as well as a powerful antivirus adapted to the professional environment. Care must be taken to frequently install updates to this software to keep it effective.

Backup Your Computer Data

Business IT security also takes into account the restoration of data in the event of a disaster or attack. Protecting your data is a necessity: it is both your work base and the history of your company. Set up automatic backups and a restore system to limit the deleterious effects of data loss or theft. Your collaborators will be able to save the essential files on external hard drives, which will be kept in specific spaces. Disaster Recovery Plans should be carefully considered.

If the servers are physically installed on your premises, a backup server capable of taking over in the event of a malfunction must be installed. Companies that use cloud computing should always check the level of security and redundancy offered by their service provider.

Encrypt Data

The encryption or encryption of data consists in making them unreadable to users who do not have access to them. Encryption is essential in case of theft, corruption, or identity theft. It should be associated with complex passwords for increased security.

Filter Emails

The use of an anti-spam filter makes it possible to guard against social engineering, a practice that consists in imitating a trusted interlocutor to recover information and resources from the company. To reinforce the integrated anti-spam of your messaging software, you can use dedicated filters such as Symantec Messaging Gateway or Symantec Microsoft Exchange Online Protection.

Educate Users

You must evangelize all of your employees to make them aware of computer security issues. An informed user is worth two. In the event of a malfunction, suspicious email, or compromise of the workstation, each member of your team must know how to act and how to avoid risky practices (use of personal passwords, lack of locking of workstations, involuntary dissemination company files).

Anticipate Incidents and Minimize Their Impact

The best way to avoid incidents is to have an IT security policy in place and stick to it. Since it is impossible to achieve risk 0, you must anticipate security breaches, both on the material and human levels. The implementation of a Disaster Recovery Plan (DRP) notably makes it possible to minimize financial or operational damage after an attack.

Business Computer Security: Conclusion

Securing his information system is within reach of any manager, at least to avoid the most classic pitfalls. However, many companies have not yet implemented basic measures such as installing antivirus software or backing up their data.

Turn-Key Solutions (TKS) provides its clients with the best IT services in Alabama, like data backup solutions and document management services.

The post 8 Solutions to Improve Business It Security first appeared on TKS.

Teleworking, coworking, short-term office rental, or even close working (from a vacant office in a company close to home): the health crisis has introduced new ways of working. But who says open spaces also says: scattered data, weakened networks, decompartmentalized computer systems, and issues related to security.

Whether you are a workstation rental service provider, lessor, or user company, companies know that many solutions exist to best secure your workspaces.

Office Rental Company: Offer Companies Quality Security!

With the proliferation of structures offering services such as renting offices, meeting rooms, or even coworking spaces, offering reliable solutions can allow you to get out of the game. Indeed, security is one of the great items of recent years. Cloud, data, shared files, connection: dematerialization is good when you know how to manage it. With answers centered around EDM or even optimized security solutions, security companies offer you the possibility of showing your credentials to your customers.

In addition, the secure network argument offers the benefit of affixing a professional label to your services. Regardless of the type of client – ​​from the consultant operating alone to the company looking for a surface equipped with offices for its employees -you benefit from a brand image reinforced by expertise in security.

Company: Rent Your Workspaces Left Vacant By Your Employees!

Another mode of operation emerges. For various reasons, more and more companies owning their premises are opening their workspaces to other companies. The solution is profitable by allowing each party to recover its costs, and all the more so when we know that the system can go as far as pooling the structure and the equipment.

This collaborative idea opens a new path in the current offer of new workspaces. However, to “coexist” peacefully, an inventory of network security is strongly recommended.

Tenant Company: Set Up Your Employees Remotely!

Outsourced rental or coworking, you need to ensure that your computers can integrate these new workspaces safely. To do this, an in-depth study of the state of the host network and the ancillary services may prove necessary. You will also have a role to play in providing and applying solutions to strengthen the security of the equipment you have provided to your employees.

Freelance, Independent: Demand The Best For Your Project!

Consultant, freelancer? For you, too, using these new professional workspaces must be synonymous with security, whether through an office rental company or an existing company that wishes to rent certain areas. Although you are spoiled for choice, it must be based on the services’ quality. The most important is safety!

Indeed, no one would like to know their information, customer file, cloud, passwords, accounts, virtual space, or computers with free access. Does this simple evocation worry you? U.S. too! So to avoid cold sweats, opt for a trusted partner and an installation of relevant software to secure your workstation and protect your data!

In Any Case, Think About Data Privacy!

Among all these scenarios, there is only one reality: offering everyone enhanced confidentiality of their data. Whatever your sector, your profession, and your structure, the only obligation in the current context is to consolidate the security of your computer network. Immediate implementation is also necessary if your expectations contradict the existing systems.

Rest assured, most of the time, a simple update can overcome many difficulties. But for that, you need to find the perfect traveling companion.

Visit the Turn-Key Solutions (TKS) website to get the best IT Services in Alabama. We are an IT Solutions Provider company that provides Secure Managed Services. Contact us for more information!

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