Employing information security tools and techniques can help you level up your company’s cybersecurity measures.
But, what if you belong to the SMBs? Should you even bother?
Today, cybercriminals spread hundreds to thousands of new malware every day. Thus, making even small startups bother. Cybercriminals do not discriminate their attacks to big Fortune 500 companies alone. Because as long as there is data, it can mean dollars, and cybercriminals are all the more willing to launch their attacks.
So in this article, we will be listing some information security tools and techniques. More so, leaders should not be the only ones to be informed. Employees, too, should be aware of cybersecurity. Hence, make sure to train them about these points also.
Information Security Tools and Techniques
Identify your Assets and their Risks
First of all, know what you are protecting. So, list and identify all your company assets. Then, after listing them down, assess what kind of risks apply to each of these assets. Also, analyze the impact or damage that can happen in case these threats take their toll.
However, your goal is not to remove every risk. Of course, this is something impossible in today’s cybersecurity landscape. The key is to identify, quantify, and prioritize risks. By doing so, you can develop strategies to mitigate them. More so, to minimize business disruption in case an attack happens.
Apply Basic Information Security Protocols
Perhaps some SMBs reason that there is nothing they could lose. But the contrary is true. Every business entity, regardless of its size, possesses data and finances.
So what can you do?
Apply the essential information security protocols.
Here are some of the most common yet most overlooked protocols in password management, for example:
- Use strong passwords. Perhaps consider using a password manager because it can generate strong passwords for you without the need of you remembering each of them. Also, password managers can store and auto-fill passwords for you. Not to mention that it also allows an easy sharing of credentials without the need of you sharing your same password with a user.
- Change your passwords regularly. No matter how strong your passwords are, set a regular schedule to change them. Cybercriminals can try hundreds of passwords in a minute. They have tools for it. So make sure to change them either periodically or quarterly.
- Do not use the same password twice.
Prevent ARP Spoofing Attacks
ARP spoofing attacks happen via Local Area Networks (LANs). This attack happens by sending malicious ARP packets to LAN gateways. For example, by disguising the IP addresses of attackers.
Counter this attack by enabling a Virtual Private Network (VPN). By doing so, you are protecting your networks and computers while browsing the web. Also, this secures your systems even when working remotely.
Prevent IP from being Stolen or Leaked
Stolen or leaked IPs can result in lost sales, less access to capital, and lower pricing.
So protect yourself by applying the following techniques, for instance:
- Use multi-factor authentication upon access.
- Use data loss protection.
- Also, use the remote device wipe technique.
Although you cannot entirely remove the risks, rest assured that you can minimize their likelihood of occurrence. Hence, apply even these basic information security protocols and techniques. More so, make sure that your team and coworkers use the same cyber practices.
