7 Important Cyber Security Principles to Prevent a Data Breach

IT departments must manage the company’s network and data systems and follow policies issued by the business owner to manage customer and business data effectively. If a cyber breach happens, the company will face liability if customer data is acquired.

There should be controls in place to prevent unauthorized access. Apart from putting in place different layers of security including anti phishing to prevent external attacks, business owners should also have in place internal control to prevent unauthorized access of data by internal staff. Least privilege can help prevent both internal abuses and external attacks.

So the concept of least privilege means that users, systems, and processes only have access to resources (networks, systems, and files) that are absolutely essential to accomplishing their assigned purpose. A data breach can occur from dishonest staff. Therefore, when setting up security schemes, the IT department must follow seven important cyber security principles to protecting your computer systems and prevent data breaches.

1. Identify All Threats

The IT staff must identify all threats that could access the network and steal data. When operating a business, it’s urgent to identify threats on an ongoing basis and mitigate them as quickly as possible.

If any threats penetrate the network, cybercriminals could access the data and use it for financial gain. Businesses that need to identify all threats to their business should learn more about Small Business IT Services now.

2. Keep the Network Secure

The company must follow IT standards for network security at all times. The network administrator must complete updates and patches for all software and business services the company uses. They must correct any issues faster, prevent any customer information from falling into the wrong hands, and also prevent account takeover fraud, also known as ato fraud. If the company has a breach and customers fall victim to identity theft, the company could face federal penalties for non-compliance with current IT security standards.

3. Manage All Incidents and Create Reports

At any time that an incident happens, the company must generate a log of the event and what parts of the network and data center were affected. The reports and logs show the network administrator where problem areas may reside, and they can use the data to strengthen the security of the network.

Managing logs and providing reports in the cybersecurity system can be overwhelming, especially if you are just starting and you do not have an in-house expert to handle this for you. If you are in this situation, the best way to handle your cybersecurity needs is to employ Cybersecurity Solutions or engage cybersecurity experts to manage it for you so that you can focus on your core business activities and be rest assured that unnecessary and costly attacks can be prevented.

4. Prevent Malware Attacks With The Right Software

Malware can lead to denial of service attacks and prevent the company from accessing its files. Ransomware can lead to serious data losses and penalties for the business, and cybercriminals could prevent the company from operating. The network administrator must continue to use software to detect and eliminate all forms of malware.

5. Restore Systems After Threat Resolution

Once the network administrator resolves a threat they must restore the system that was affected by the threat. If the company suffers a serious cyber threat, it could affect several systems and prevent access to services. The administrator must restore the services to keep the business operating as expected.

6. Block All Non-Work-Related Websites

Most companies have a policy that prevents workers from using any non-work-related services or visiting websites that have nothing to do with their job. These policies are necessary to keep the business safer and prevent unauthorized access to the network, its data, and its business services. When configuring the network and user accounts, the administrator can set up permissions for the users that prevent them from getting into any areas of the internet that pose a threat.

7. Restrict the Use of Removable Media

Removable media is used to collect information and data from the workstations, and the company must prevent workers from accessing information and transferring it to a different media. The policies prevent data theft and keep customer data safe. 

IT departments must follow principles and standards to keep the company’s network safe and prevent a breach. If customer data is stolen, companies are liable for any financial losses incurred by their customers. By following robust security standards, the business protects its data and network against cybercriminals.

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