Netconsult Blog How can you ensure high levels of security for your workplace IT infrastructure?

IT infrastructure security is crucial for every business today. From protecting your reputation, to ensuring compliance with data protection requirements, it is essential to have sufficiently high level security in place to avoid costly breaches or mistakes. For most organisations, the first step in this process is to complete a security audit that takes into account vulnerabilities and establishes basic security benchmarks. Once that has been completed, a robust set of policies is required, as well as opportunities identified to integrate these into every day operations. These, combined, will help to take IT infrastructure security to the next level.A remote access policyWorkers across all industries today are more frequently choosing flexible or part time schedules that often mean accessing company data remotely. It is essential to have guidelines in place to ensure that this is being done securely every time. It may also be preferable to invest in technology, such as secure VPN, to preserve the integrity of a private network with every remote access.A mobile use policyAcross many industries, employees now use smartphones, tablets and other personal devices to access business networks. This presents a range of security issues for a private network that a mobile use policy can help to control. Standard policy clauses might include installing antivirus programs on mobile devices and ensuring passwords are strong and properly maintained.Data handling policiesIn particular with respect to transfer and disposal, staff data handling can present considerable vulnerabilities where network security is concerned. It may be necessary to identify who should have access to certain data and to restrict access from others to keep it safe. Policies that set out how data should be transferred to ensure it is secure, as well as how to dispose of data safely, will be essential.Third party policiesIf third parties are accessing your network then it will be key to establish guidelines for how that access should be achieved and what precautions should be taken. Otherwise a third party, such as a vendor, could leave your network vulnerable to breach.Basic security practicesIn addition to implementing clear and effective security policies, a foundation of solid basic security practices is essential to establish high level security for your business networks and data. This could include:Ensuring staff are aware of what makes a strong password, as well as the requirement to change passwords regularly.Using cloud storage so that sensitive data is never being transported on vulnerable media, such as a thumb drive.Giving staff guidance on the risks of accessing business networks via public WiFi.The importance of trainingStrong security begins with staff who are aware of the risks to the business, as well as the practices and policies that are in place to protect it. Corporate awareness training, both as soon as staff join the business and at regular intervals after that on an ongoing basis, will convert the people in your business into one of your most effective security tools.We can help you to design security features and infrastructure to protect your business critical data and systems. Contact the netConsult team today to find out more.Author: Laura Zverko - Follow us on Google+