Computer security is a consideration for everyone, whether you are a business or an individual. We all know how we should keep ourselves and our computers secure, but how many people actually practice this?
With Computer Security Day (30th November 2018) coming up soon, we thought we would remind you of some of the steps that you should be taking to help secure your computer and your online activities.
As Individuals
As individuals there are several things that you should be doing to help secure your computer and your use of the computer.
Simple steps such as ensuring your computer is password protected – and changing it regularly. Passwords used should be ‘secure’ passwords, i.e. not related to any of your own personal information. For example, 58-year-old Bob Smith’s password shouldn’t be ‘BSmith1960’.
Keeping your computer in a safe location - easy for those using traditional desktops. For those using laptops, tablets and mobiles, then ensure that you know where they are and that tracking apps are installed to help you locate them should they go missing.
Ensure that security software and programs are installed on your computer to help protect it against viruses.
A further step you can take is to ensure that your email inbox has spam restrictions in place. This will weed out some of the harmful emails that you could receive from spammers etc. However, it is worth remembering that these inbox filters are not fool proof. If you receive an odd email from someone you don’t know, a company you don’t recognise, or with a strange title. Don’t open the email. Delete the email immediately or mark as spam.
Lastly, you should be backing up the data on your computer regularly. You can do this the old-fashioned way by uploading everything to a hard drive or USB stick at regular intervals. Or you can use online solutions whereby systems upload your data to a secure cloud at several points during the day/week. Removing the need for any effort on your part.
As a Company
As a business, no matter how big or small, you should be insuring that your use of computers follows everything that individuals should do and more.
Business owners should be setting a good example to their employees by ensuring that they…
- Password protect the computers/electronic devices they use
- Change passwords for the computers/electronic devices they use regularly
- Only use secure passwords
- Install security software and programs on the computers/electronic devices they use
- Use email spam restrictors
- Back up the computers/electronic devices they use regularly
It is a good idea to have some kind of company computer security policy to help ensure that your employees know exactly what is expected of them for their own computer use.
This is particularly important if you have staff that work out of the office or at home for all or part of their working hours. Keeping your client’s information is key and so any access off site to client information should be via CRMs and other password protected business systems.
It is advised that you complete an audit of all electronic devices within the business so you know exactly what your company has and the devices that it is responsible for. This will help you track exactly who has what device and will help in any situations where employees leave or join the company.
GDPR
Yes, back to this – sorry.
Under the GDPR introduced earlier this year, all companies must be able to respond to any data breeches and are held accountable for any data leaks.
Keeping a tight rein on the security of your company computers and electronic devices will help you stay within the limits of GDPR. Restricting the possibility of any data breeches by using secure computers and other electronic devices.
Don’t forget about Older Electronic Devices
Most of us have old computers, tablets and mobiles laying around the home or workplace. Technology changes and some devices simply don’t age well.
Don’t forget about these devices to help protect yourselves and/or your company. Remember to wipe all computers and electronic devices no longer in use to ensure that when you throw them away responsibly you aren’t handing any information stored to its next owner.
Published: 14th Nov 2018