From surgeons to astronauts, checklists can be lifesavers. The same goes for network security.
When it comes to managing and securing your IT systems, it’s vital to make sure all your bases are covered. It’s easier than you think to lose track of what’s already been completed, and what still needs to be fixed. Whether you have an in-house IT staff or outsource your IT needs to a managed service provider, look over this checklist to make sure your network and company's private information is secure.
- Strong Passwords – Implementing a secure password policy ensures your employees are choosing passwords that can’t easily be guessed or hacked. This protects their confidential information, as well as your business.
- Enforcing BYOD Practices – “Bring Your Own Device” refers to the practice of allowing employees to bring their own mobile devices to work for use on the company systems, software, or networks. A BYOD strategy should include secure wireless connectivity, remote wipe services, and remote device management software to keep your business data (and your employees) safe.
- Patches and Updates – Always install the latest patches and updates to ensure your hardware and software is protected from internal and external threats.
- Firewalls – As the first defense against potential threats, firewalls constantly scan data flowing through your business to remove threats.
- Spam Filters – Not only do spam filters save you time by weeding out useless emails, but they also keep harmful emails with questionable links or attachments at bay.
- Antivirus Protection – Antivirus software periodically scans your network to detect and eliminate threats before they become problems.
- Web Filters – Not all employees have the most secure web-browsing habits. Web filters protect against them visiting potentially malicious sites.
- Network Checkups – Even when you have all of the above security features in place, it’s still important to have periodic network scans to ensure nothing slipped through the cracks.
