Information security has become the central theme of cybersecurity. First, because the data found in cyberspace has become one of the most prized treasures in today’s world. And second, because digital threats such as ransomware are becoming increasingly sophisticated and numerous; leaving even the best security systems in organizations in a state of constant vulnerability.
If you want to know a little more about the best practices related to information security in your company, we encourage you to continue reading the article we have prepared for you today.
What do we mean by information security?
Information security in this context represents a branch of cybersecurity whose main objectives are To maintain the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of any individual or organization’s data.
The first objective: confidentiality; focuses on preventing unauthorized persons from having access to the data of users or companies. With the second objective, integrity, we mean to prevent those stored data from suffering any modification. The third and final objective, availability, is to ensure that we can access our data whenever we need it.
What are the main threats to our data?
Exposure to the network is one of the main factors affecting information security. This is mainly because the characteristics of cyberspace have made it the ideal place to execute attacks of all kinds. Between two of the most important threats to our information we have:
The ransomware: The biggest threat to cyberspace today. Ransomware represents a special category of malware through which criminals block victims’ computers and then demand payment in exchange for giving them access to their data again.
Phishing: It is a fraudulent technique used by hackers to recover information (generally banking) from users. Phishing is a “social engineering” technique, i.e. it consists of exploiting not a computer defect but the “human defect” by deceiving users through an email that appears to come from a trusted company, usually a bank or a commercial site.
How can data be protected? 5 best practices for information security
Of course, the best security teams are aware of the dangers their systems face and are always working to keep their organization’s digital assets protected. But whether it is because a human error or configuration problems, there’s always the possibility that any system could be affected by a malicious element. Fortunately, there are some practices that can help companies keep their systems armored. Here are 5 of the most effective:
#1 Make members of your organization aware
Each member of your organization represents a link in your organization’s security chain. This means that the better prepared they are in terms of the best security practices, the higher the level of protection that the company’s data will have. Then try to keep your company’s human potential well-informed about your company’s security standards; the risks they might face if an attack were to occur and techniques for recognizing suspicious events.
#2 Beware of default settings
The default installation and configuration of operating systems tends to make these systems insecure. This type of installation leaves many useless services running that affect performance and bring vulnerabilities as many open ports become the perfect access for malicious elements. Therefore, disabling unnecessary services is the best way to free up resources and make systems more secure.
#3 Protects remote access
It is quite common for web server administrators having the need to connect remotely to the organization’s systems. Therefore, if remote access is required, it is advisable to make sure that the connection is made correctly; using tunneling and encryption protocols (TLS, SSH). It is also important that remote access is limited only to specific accounts; and to a certain number of IP addresses. Remember, the best thing in these cases is to purchase a solution that gives you total reliability when it comes to remotely access your computers. You can find a good option in the Bomgar software.
#4 Limit privileges
Permissions on files and network services play an essential role in ensuring information security. Therefore, one of the best practices in this context is to assign users the minimum number of privileges necessary for the operation of a specific network service. In this way, you can reduce the attack surface of your systems by limiting access and vulnerabilities.
#5 Use a security scanner
Scanners are practical tools that help automate and facilitate the security process of web servers; applications and computer systems in general. The use of a scanner should be mandatory when protecting your data. Try then to acquire one that gives you confidence and represents an effective tool for your security team. An excellent option, in this case, is the Tenable.io solution, which offers continuous scans for digital containers and web applications. One of the best parts of acquiring this software is that you can count on the support of the Nessus tool, (one of the best security scanners in the world) so it is surely worth checking it out.
If you want more information about the best tools to ensure the security of information in your company, do not hesitate to contact us. At GB Advisors we are always available to help you grow and innovate with the help of leading software solutions.
