No matter what professional services your company provides, you must have cyber security controls to protect confidential data. And to ensure that you have the right solutions, you need to have a cyber security checklist.
Apart from highlighting common threats, this guide will equip you with a comprehensive checklist that you can use to enhance your business’s defensive measures.
Common cyber security threats
Cyber threats are evolving every day, and the criminals leveraging them are becoming more sophisticated in their tactics. With that being said, there are numerous security threats that organisations must always protect themselves from.
They are:
- Malware (including ransomware)
- Phishing attacks
- Denial-of-service (DoS) attacks
- Insider threats
- Man-in-the-middle (MitM) attacks
Why should professional services businesses use cyber security checklists?
Data breaches can devastate businesses. For professional services firms, which often handle highly sensitive data, the stakes are exceptionally high. A breach can result in the loss of client trust, a damaged reputation, and financial penalties.
A cyber security checklist helps companies assess their network and address potential vulnerabilities. It allows for a systematic, thorough approach to security, ensuring that no aspect is overlooked. By using a checklist, you can make sure that your organisation’s sensitive information is safeguarded from all angles.
A cyber security checklist for professional services companies
- Do you have a clear cyber security policy? – your security policy should clearly outline expectations and procedures for handling sensitive data and technologies. It should cover everything from password protocols to email security.
- Do you perform regular updates and patches? – schedule regular updates and patches to ensure that your systems and applications are equipped with the latest security enhancements.
- Does your business use multi-factor authentication (MFA)? – add another security layer that requires multiple verification factors when logging into systems to safeguard confidential information.
- Is sensitive data encrypted? – encryption makes data unreadable unless the relevant parties have the right decryption key.
- Do you have data backups? – backing up your data minimises data loss.
- Are your employees trained in cyber security? – regular security awareness training will teach your employees how to spot and avoid cyber threats.
- Are your systems audited? – audits uncover vulnerabilities and check that your security measures are working as intended.
- Do you have a disaster recovery plan (DRP)? – a DRP will guide you on how to restore your IT solutions after a disaster.
- How secure is your network? – consider using a virtual private network (VPN), particularly for remote work.
Avoid cyber-attacks with cohesive security measures
Mastering cyber security requires a deep understanding of the threats you face and a unified cyber defence system.
The managed IT security services at Itopia can provide your business with a team of highly skilled IT security specialists who are dedicated to enhancing the protection and resilience of your network. With their expertise and proactive approach, they can identify potential vulnerabilities, deploy and maintain powerful cyber security measures, and swiftly respond to threats.
Whether you require antivirus software installation or assistance in developing incident response plans, trust Itopia with your cyber security. That way, you can concentrate on your core business operations, assured that a reliable and vigilant team is safeguarding your data and systems.
