Cybersecurity Tips to Keep your Organization’s Data Safe

As technology becomes increasingly prevalent in our professional and personal lives, so do cyber threats. Consider the following tips to protect your organization from crimes associated with cybersecurity.

Passwords

Account passwords are a foundational form of protection when it comes to network security. Be sure all passwords are complex and not easily identifiable. Review these tips from the United States Computer Emergency Readiness Team (US-CERT) before choosing a password:

Don’t use passwords that are based on personal information that can be easily accessed or guessed.
Don’t use words that can be found in a dictionary of any language.
Develop a mnemonic for remembering complex passwords.
Use both lowercase and capital letters.
Use a combination of letters, numbers and special characters.
Use passphrases when you can.
Use different passwords on different systems.

Protection Software and Updates

Many individuals and organizations use antivirus software to protect against malware. These programs scan your hard drive and email for alarming patterns that could potentially cause damage. Ensuring your computer operating systems and other software applications are up-to-date is another foundational security protection. Software updates often resolve security risks. Be sure your computer systems are up to date, and use adequate antivirus software to protect your network.

Wireless Network

Wireless networks are helpful when using mobile devices and are also an excellent way to provide access to your organization’s visitors. These three tips can help limit the risk facing your organization’s wireless network:

Ensure you have adequate security associated with your wireless router. WPA and WPA2 are two secure options for Wi-Fi security.
Install a firewall to protect the network from outside attacks and excessive network traffic.

Email Safety

Email software can be an easy way for criminals to access your network system. Specifically, some hyperlinks may be links to malware, which can lead to a potential cyberattack. Be sure to verify links and URL destinations and ensure the use of encryption tools to keep information safe. Encryption serves as a way to send a message to another party using code. Those receiving the message will need a specific, unique code or a virtual key to unlock the encryption and view the message’s content.

When your organization is sending an email, particularly one with sensitive documents that hold private information, a suggested security approach is to use an encryption tool to keep the information safe. Encryption is a way to send a message to another party using code. Those receiving the message will need a specific, unique code or a virtual key to unlock the encryption and view the message’s content.

Limit Your Risk

Technological innovations have advanced the way we work, conduct business and engage with our customers, employees, members, etc. Most of us can’t imagine life without our online capabilities. Remember the need for safety measures and protecting your data. For additional information, review these tips and topics of concern from the United States Computer Emergency Readiness Team.