If looming security threats are keeping you up at night when it comes to your business, you certainly aren’t alone.
Whether you feel like your team is ignoring security or you’ve read another report about a recent cyberattack, there’s a reason why companies are spending more and more on security.
That said, not all threats are created equal. Keeping your business safe is about more than flipping a switch: it’s about vigilance and creating a company culture where security is taken seriously.
So how can you shore up your company’s security with confidence? Consider the following seven-point checklist for starters.
Regular Risk Assessments
Not all security concerns come in the form of hackers or stolen data.
In fact, perhaps one of the most significant components of security is risk management for the long-term survival of any given company, but thankfully it can be dealt with swiftly via GRC software. From understanding what it means to be SOX compliant to surviving external audits, an automated risk solution can work wonders toward protecting a company.
Keep Your Tech Up-to-Date
This one might seem like a no-brainer, but you might be surprised at how often breaches occur because something is out-of-date internally. Make sure you stay on top of your employees in regard to keeping their machines and devices updated, and likewise push your IT department to double-check accordingly.
Get Your Employees Involved
If you can encourage employees to care about security, your job becomes exponentially easier and your business becomes so much safer.
The point here isn’t to scare people, but rather emphasize that their day-to-day interactions define whether or not the company’s property is safe. Whether it’s internal emails or taking company devices out of the office, reinforcing policies and why they matter is a major plus.
Assemble Your Legal Superteam
Simply put, you there’s no replacement for legal counsel to reassure you that you’ll be okay in case of an attack or breach. Just remember what to know when hiring a lawyer in regard to their experience and track record. Ideally, you can hire someone who’s worked within your industry or with another professional in your network.
Openly Discuss Security Concerns
In order to keep security fresh in everyone’s minds, make it a point to talk about potential threats and updates to keep everyone in the loop. For example, discussing security during company or team meetings helps reinforce vigilance as part of your company culture.
Deny Access When Appropriate
There’s absolutely nothing wrong with being picky about who has access to what internally. Not all employees should have the same permissions, especially those who’ve just been brought on. Don’t look at denying permissions as being restrictive, but rather cautious.
Keep an Eye on Outgoing Employees
Last but not least, don’t forget about the potential security risk of employees who are on their way out of your company. A combination of explicit contracts, frequent password changes and permissions reviews can help quell your concerns when it’s time to let someone go.
Beefing up your company’s security requires a series of smart steps, but still represents a top priority for any given company today. By sticking to these principles, you can do business with a “better safe than sorry” mindset and deal with fewer problems as a result.
