Top 10 Tips For A Safer 2010

05/02/2010

By David Kelleher, Communications and Research Analyst, GFI Software.

2009 may have been the year of "flying by the seat of your pants" security policies, but 2010 can be a safer year if you follow a few simple steps. Limit access to those who need it

In SMBs it is often the case that most people tend to be given full privileges and access to the network and to devices that they do not need to do their job. Taking such liberties with security is asking for trouble because whilst it is likely that your boss's recruitment skills are top notch...

...and employ honest, trustworthy people were in fact employed, as IT administrator who is responsible for the organization's network security, it remains a risk that you do not want to take just in case.

2. Control the use of portable devices on the network

Endpoint security is another issue that is based on too much trust. Insider threats can often be the most harmful and the least likely to be protected against, merely because employees and management in an SMB tend to have high levels of trust towards each other. Network activity should be monitored and the use of portable devices on the network such as iPods and USB sticks should be forbidden as it is too easy for a disgruntled employee to steal confidential data without being noticed.

3. Limit Internet browsing

End users often fail to realize the threats that they can be exposed to on the Internet so it's best to nip the problem in the bud and limit their browsing capabilities so as not to allow viruses and other threats to infiltrate the network. The problems lie mainly with peer to peer sites and social networking sites such as Facebook whereby malicious links can be sent... continued on page two >

 

 

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