The Panama Papers & 3 Steps Toward Network Security
Reading this article was a 'not so gentle' reminder of the real consequences of ignoring data & network security.
Protect Your Data in 3 Simple Steps
1. Lock Down Your Data with a Mobile Device Management System:
Company email and data on personal phones, tablets and smart watches is the most underrated liability. The justification for this risk: employees, mostly executives are plugged in and available to respond to important emails, sign off on projects and more at the cost of security.
It doesn't have to be this way. Implementing a Mobile Device Management System in your company will lock down your data in a way that provides mobility to your team while protecting your most important asset - your company and client's information.
2. Keep the Network Equipment Up to Date and Under Support
The PCI Compliance updates in 2015 exposed the vulnerabilities posed by outdated network equipment. Equipment that has reached End of Life/Support from the manufacturer has very limited options for support. The equipment no longer received patching or updates and it is not eligible for manufacturer trouble shooting support. Without this support the device has a back door for hackers, malware and other vulnerabilities.
Stay ahead of the game by keeping your networking equipment on a depreciation schedule. This proactive planning for the IT Budget provides the foresight to know what you have and how long it may last. Opt for manufacturer coverage like Cisco's SmartNet Agreements, that provide your equipment with ongoing updates and patching from the manufacturer, specialized engineer support and if need be, device replacement.
3. Monitor Your Network
Proactive Network Monitoring is a crucial step to catching everything from threats to unapproved network activity. Using Advance toolsets in the Firewall, Wireless Access Point and your Managed Switches or an advanced security application can assist in alerting you to new threats and give you confidence in your network security.
If this is an area of concern for your organization, but you don't know where to start, you can reach me to schedule a Free IT Audit with one of the enkompas engineers. Call 1-888-257-3198 or email me at [email protected].