THE 8 BEST PRACTICES
PRACTICE #1 - ENFORCE MULTI-FACTOR AUTHENTICATION (MFA)
Cybercriminals are becoming proficient at accessing your credentials, so it’s critical to enable MFA for all your users. It consists of three elements: a password, security token, and biometric verification. Consequently, if attackers breach one security layer, they’ll still have to do a lot of digging to access your information.
PRACTICE #2 - MAKE PATCHING A PRIORITY
Application and operating system exploits are common. Hackers target them to access your system and compromise your data, but you can prevent this through regular patching. Making sure your system is up to date with the latest security standards decreases the risk of exploitation.
PRACTICE #3 - CONDUCT REGULAR CYBERSECURITY AUDITS
An MSP or ITSP must be aware of onboarding, offboarding, and lateral movements within an organization. This warrants frequent cybersecurity audits to assess the competency of your team. Many MSPs or ITSPs hire third-party companies to perform their security audits. CNWR does this both in-house, but also we also believe that a third-party audit should be performed – some insurance companies are beginning to do this themselves. We can detect if a person who no longer needs access to the network still has it. It’s something that can endanger the client’s information, especially if the individual is a former employee.
Conducting regular audits mitigates this risk. It enables an MSP or ITSP to implement some of the most effective access privilege limitations:
- IP restrictions – These security measures ensure that only users who can access your local network can utilize remote administration tools.
- RMM software updates – Software vendors typically dispatch updates to fix vulnerabilities and patch numerous security gaps.
- RDP (Remote Desktop Protocol) Security – This Windows native administration tool reduces the chances of ransomware attacks in your organization.
PRACTICE #4 - HAVE AN OFF-SITE BACKUP
Backups are crucial for tackling malicious activities and ensuring operational continuity after cyberattacks. They also help address whether the company and its clients can access the latest version of their data and applications. This feature is vital for enterprises that must adhere to compliance requirements, including PCI-DSS and HIPAA.
But besides implementing on-site backups, your MSP or ITSP should also set up off-site versions. If attackers compromise your RMM software, they can most likely reach on-site backups, too. This is a service CNWR provides.
So, to avoid disasters, businesses should have an off-site backup accessible to only a few people. It should also be offline for greater security.
PRACTICE #5 - INCORPORATE LOG MONITORING
Log monitoring is analyzing your logs for potential glitches. As an MSP, CNWR scrutinizes your records, and detects traffic from harmful sources and provides a clear idea of threat patterns. And over time, we can deploy countermeasures to seal these gaps. For example, our cybersecurity experts use reliable security information and event management (SIEM) tools. We facilitate scanning through piles of information to enable faster threat detection.
PRACTICE #6 - LAUNCH PHISHING CAMPAIGNS
Phishing cyber criminals target your team members with emails or text messages, posing as legitimate institutions to steal your data. Unfortunately, most attacks succeed because of human error, meaning your MSP or ITSP should be aware of and monitor employees’ behavior. Setting up fake phishing campaigns is a great way to test your team’s ability to respond to phishing attacks. It allows you to pinpoint and improve inadequate responses, bolstering data security.
PRACTICE #7 - CHOOSE YOUR SOFTWARE CAREFULLY AND SECURE ENDPOINTS
From small browser plugins to large-scale business systems, CNWR takes data protection and cybersecurity seriously. Learn about our commitment to these aspects when purchasing our application. Furthermore, we employ web filtering tools, antivirus software, and email authentication to fend off ransomware attacks through malicious emails. We ensure each endpoint and your virus definition library are secure and up to date with the latest standards.
PRACTICE #8 - SET ALERTS AND DOCUMENT EVERYTHING
CNWR configures our systems to receive alerts upon system changes and works proactively to tackle threats early on. We automate this process through rules templates, personalization, and direct tickets to the PSA. This eliminates manual digging, saving precious time. Another useful strategy is to document your cybersecurity information, such as your defense mechanisms, emergency guidelines, and disaster recovery plans. You should also review it regularly to help pre-empt cyberattacks.
CYBERSECURITY IS PARAMOUNT
While digitization has significantly streamlined your operations, it’s also made you more susceptible to data theft. To ensure cyber criminals don’t get their hands on valuable information and ruin your reputation, CNWR adopts well-established security practices.
CNWR will introduce off-site backups, regular patches, and employee training, so you’re getting your money’s worth. We deliver the necessary results. Don't be a sitting duck for cyber criminals. You need to resolve these issues as soon as possible. CNWR will be your guide. Reach out to us for a quick 15-minute chat, and our tech experts will show you a way out of your cybersecurity dead end.
Article used with permission from The Technology Press.
