We talk to many IT and Telecom professionals who tell us they are pretty confident that they are doing everything possible to keep their networks and devices safeguarded against hackers. Yet they also admit that it's not easy keeping tabs on the latest virus threats and protecting their organizations. We all know ingenious hackers can find new ways to penetrate what you thought was iron clad security.
It's a good idea to regularly revisit the safety measures and processes you have in place and make sure they continue to be up to the high standards you have set within your organization.
At a minimum, here are five basics your department should be doing on a regular basis:
Make sure your anti-virus software is running and in good orderThis is top of the list for a good reason. Make sure you vendor is reputable and that the software is automatically updated to detect the latest malware and ransomware threats.
Make sure your backups are workingTest them regularly. Consider using a third party to store your data in a location away from yours. That way you will not lose your data in the event of a local natural disaster.
Make sure your software versions are all up to dateThere is a reason that software vendors release updates. One is security!
Encrypt the hard drives on your company owned laptops and desktop computersConsider also using 2-factor authentication for password protection. By doing so you will be guarding your data in the event of theft. It will make it much harder for hackers to gain entry into your computers.
Educate your end users to stay clear of questionable websites and external networksMake sure that they are careful with the use of passwords and personal as well as company information.
Above all, stay connected to resources, such as professional groups and forums, that help identify the latest threats and provide steps on how to eliminate them. Make sure you are safeguarding your phones as well and using software to track calls and detect phone fraud so that you can spot suspicious calling activity and take actions to stop it.
Of course, there is no way to guarantee 100% that hackers won't infiltrate your network and steal data or plant malware. But, by doing everything you can to protect your network and keeping on top of the many twists and turns you may face ahead, you can go a long way towards safeguarding your network, devices and users.
Let us know how we can help you manage your telecom data and reduce your monthly spend. Contact us to find out the many ways you can keep your IT and Telecom departments running smoothly and efficiently!