Checklist for Cyber Safety for 2019

To make it easier our experts at Clifton IT developed this Cyber Safety Checklist for all small businesses to use to make sure their information and data is safe from modern threats.

1. Understand cyber safety

It’s about protecting your company from any kind of deliberate cyber-attack as well as accidental data breaches. Although it might appear complex, cyber security is just about having the right policies, control procedures and technologies to protect your business IT systems.

2. Keep your staff regularly trained

Some of the most common types of cyber problems are caused by people making mistakes so it’s important to keep your staff regularly trained. If they are aware and know what to look for they will be able to spot risks and threats.

Accidental breaches can also be caused by remote working staff using public Wi-Fi or using mobile and removable devices so it’s important they all understand the dangers.

3. Keep an eye on your network

You need to keep an eye on your network regularly otherwise you won’t know if a breach or an attack is taking place. The earlier you can spot a cyber problem, the sooner you can put your safety programs into place to resolve it.

4. Introduce risk management processes

Risk management processes and polices to cover any cyber safety risks can really help to reduce the issue of human error. Anyone who uses your IT network including contractors and suppliers need to be trained in your risk management processes.

You need to be able to identify what the cyber risks are which threaten your organisation, then you can put the risk management policies, and the technologies into place to provide the protection which is warranted.

5. Keep your security tools reviewed

There is no point having security tools like anti-virus software and firewalls if they are not kept regularly updated and in good working order, so make sure everything is regularly reviewed. You should also consider undergoing a network penetration assessment regularly to spot any vulnerability.

6. Keep your information and data backed up

Cyber security issues can often lead to a loss of information or data so one of your risk measures needs to be keeping your data and information safely backed up on a separate system. You should also carry out regular tests to make sure your data is being backed up and can be recovered easily.

7. Plan for the worst

Your business needs to be in the best position possible to recover if the worst was to happen so it’s important to set up both an incident reporting policy and a Disaster Recovery plan. You need to keep your plan tested and your staff trained in how it works. Apply patches at the earliest opportunity to reduce the risk of exposure to known vulnerabilities.

8. Limit who can access your IT systems

Make sure people who use your IT systems only have access to areas they need. You need to control user access rights and privileges to reduce the risk of accidental or deliberate misuse.

You also need to keep all of your PC hardware and mobile devices configured so that they capable of completing the functionality required from the users but nothing more. Removable media is also a risk area so make sure there is an appropriate policy in place.

Cyber security issues are on the increase as more and more businesses become completely online so the management team needs to be committed to providing the necessary tools, processes and budgets to manage ongoing cyber security policies.

If you need any help or advice on how best to make your business cyber-secure, then please do contact our IT experts at Clifton IT and we will work together with you to keep your business safe.