Use Computer IT Services in Eagan and Other Steps to Stop Insider Threats
Insider threats rank second next to hackers when it comes to the leading reasons behind data breaches, according to the Cost of a Data Breach Study in 2018 by Ponemon Institute. The same research center released the 2020 Cost of Insider Threats Global Report and showed that insider-caused security threats have become more expensive by 31% since 2018. It is now reported to cost organizations around $11.45 million. Fortunately, you can still do something to avoid criminal insiders, negligent insiders, and credential insiders by investing in computer IT services in Eagan.
If you partner up with a reliable IT provider who monitors the cyberattack trends and has invested in up-to-date technology and staff training, you can be at ease with your security. Just make sure to do your role in all this. Otherwise, the small business IT services you've secured will go to waste. Here are several vital steps to take to prevent insiders from weakening your cybersecurity:
1. Conduct a company-wide risk assessment.
While you might be occupied with running your business, you should still take the time to know your IT assets, what their contributions are, as well as the threats that could impact them. Talk to your IT provider about potential insider threats that pose a risk to these assets and get the appropriate computer IT services in Eagan.
2. Establish a security policy.
Make action plans more apparent to everyone in the company by developing a policy for every imaginable event involving your cybersecurity. There should be policies for general data management according to industry regulations, third-party access, incident response, user monitoring, and password management, among others. You can ask your IT provider to include the establishment of these policies in the small business IT services that you'll get from them.
3. Put physical security in place.
Aside from boosting your cybersecurity measures, you should not forget about the physical security needs of your office. Don't let any unauthorized person access areas where your computers, servers, or switch racks are, for instance. Instruct guests not to use their mobile phone cameras while they are on the premises. Keep the server rooms locked. You might want to use biometric authentication in places with critical IT infrastructure.
4. Deploy security software and related applications.
Put computer IT services in Eagan into good use. You're going to need an IT provider that can give you a web filtering solution, spam filter, encryption software, and traffic monitoring tools. A good provider should also have intrusion detection and prevention systems, password management system, data loss prevention system, backup and disaster recovery system, and more. These may also be included in the small business IT services package if you want.
5. Implement strict and robust authentication.
Don't take the use of login credentials for granted. Give each employee a login ID and password that will identify them. Educate them on password practices and the need for strong authentication. You could ask your IT provider to help you implement multifactor authentication, which could be a combination of passwords, PINs, user IDs, smart cards, or biometric scanner. Instill security practices, such as something as simple as locking their computers when they step away from their unit.
6. Monitor online activities.
Regular monitoring, logging, and auditing your employees' online actions can help you detect and investigate suspicious activities before they turn into serious threats. Your computer IT services in Eagan should include this in their small business IT services.
7. Handle old hardware properly.
Even after you have fully used a disk drive, hard drives, or any other IT device, make sure to delete the information that they contain. If they contain critical data, they should be destroyed. Pick a trusted staff to do this task.
8. Monitor suspicious behavior.
Your IT provider should offer computer IT services in Eagan that include round-the-clock monitoring of servers, workstations, and network equipment. On top of this cyber monitoring, you should also observe employee behavior. Potential insider threats show signs of disgruntlement, such as getting into frequent conflicts with other employees, being tardy, and worsening performance. Others may exhibit unusual enthusiasm, such as staying late without being asked, logging in at odd hours, asking for extra work, doing work outside of their usual duties, and working from home without a valid reason. Some might suddenly have an unexplained shift in financial circumstances or take frequent trips to specific destinations.
9. Promote insider threat awareness among your employees.
You should not only ask your IT provider for typical small business IT services when you can also count on them to help train your employees about insider threats. Train them to detect phishing and other social engineering attacks, handling sensitive data, and reporting suspicious behavior.
Network Medics
Manage insider threats better by hiring an IT provider like Network Medics, offering computer IT services in Eagan, as well as complementing their efforts by following the steps above. You need several layers of protection, something that our managed IT services can give you. Contact us today at 612.315.1900 to talk to our IT specialists about what defenses you might need against potential outsider and insider threats.
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