INFORMATION SECURITY SYSTEMS: HOW TO KEEP YOUR BUSINESS SAFE

• by Olivia Lawlor-Blackburn
• Advent IM Blog

As most businesses will know, digital security is more important than ever before. No matter what industry you’re in, protecting your company’s information is essential. From personal information to financial details, cybersecurity breaches can lead to sensitive data being stolen. It can also result in legal battles and potential government fines.

Fortunately, there are some straightforward actions you can take to improve your digital security and protect your employees, customers, and clients.

Read on for our tips for strengthening your information security strategy.

Implement effective security software

One of the most important steps you can take to boost your information security is to install up-to-date security software. It’s vital to ensure all computers and devices have anti-virus programmes and firewalls to protect any sensitive data or personal information stored on them. 

Your best bet is to have multiple layers of security to help prevent phishing attempts and other types of cyber attacks.

Know your compliance requirements

Depending on the sector you’re in, you may have specific regulations you need to follow. These regulations are in place for a reason, and it’s important that you know what level of information security you need to meet them. For example, government departments, police forces, educational organisations, and those in the NHS all need to put rigorous security controls in place to protect sensitive information. 

Likewise, do you store, transmit, or process credit or debit card information? If so, you’ll need to comply with the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI-DSS). If you don’t, you could face financial penalties and reputational damage if a breach occurs.

Ultimately, knowing your compliance requirements will not only keep data safe but will also protect you from other kinds of related damage.

Consider who has access to what

Another way to improve your workplace security is to ensure you know who can access certain information. You may need to put limits in place so that only those with clearance can access sensitive documents or areas within the company network. Doing so will help prevent unauthorised people from accessing confidential information that could lead to a potential leak or breach. This not only applies to those within your workforce but also those in your supply chain that may be accessing your information from outside of your company network. Different controls may be needed to restrict what they can and cannot see.

Offer your employees cybersecurity training and education opportunities

Unfortunately, mistakes can happen — from setting a weak password or clicking on a suspicious email link to leaving a laptop logged in unattended. By educating employees and stakeholders on the best ways to protect their data, you can minimise the risk of a data breach or cyberattack. 

Consider arranging regular training sessions so everyone is up to date on the latest cyber threats or risks and knows how best to protect against them.

Speak to an Information Security Consultant

Cyber Security consulting firms are experts in the field. If you feel a bit overwhelmed by the amount of information out there, a consultant can help you work out what’s most relevant to your business, and how you can improve your information security systems.

From cyber essentials to industry-specific training, an Information Security Consultant can ensure your company has a suitable and effective digital security strategy in place.

Security consultancy from Advent IM

In today’s digital world, it is more important than ever for businesses to have a robust information security strategy in place. And at Advent IM, our cyber experts can help your team understand the cybersecurity risks to your business and implement best practice security policies and processes.

With over 20 years of experience in cyber security consultation, we have the knowledge and expertise to ensure your staff, clients, customers, and stakeholders are confident that you keep your organisation’s information assets secure.

To learn more about our services, get in touch today.