10 Essential Cybersecurity Steps for Your Business

As cyber incidents become more prevalent, it’s vital for organizations to bolster their security posture. Doing so not only helps organizations prevent such incidents from happening, but can also allow them to secure adequate cyber insurance. After all, many underwriters have begun leveraging organizations’ cybersecurity practices as a key factor in determining whether they qualify for cyber coverage. Here are 10 controls organizations can implement to manage their cyber exposures. 1 – Multifactor Authentication (MFA) MFA is a layered approach to securing data and applications where a system requires a user to present a combination of two or more credentials to verify their identity for login.

It’s best for organizations to enable MFA for remote access to their networks. 2 – Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) Solutions EDR solutions record and store events from endpoints (e. g. , smartphones, desktop computers, laptops and servers), utilize various data analytics techniques to detect suspicious system behaviors, provide contextual information, block malicious activities and oer remediation suggestions to help organizations restore affected technology. 3 – Patch Management Patches are software and operating system updates that address security vulnerabilities within programs and products. A consistent approach to patching and updating software and operating systems can help organizations limit their cyber exposures.

4 – Network Segmentation and Segregation Network segmentation refers to dividing larger networks into smaller segments, whereas network segregation entails isolating crucial networks (i. e. , those containing sensitive data) from external networks, such as the internet. Both processes limit the risk of cybercriminals gaining expansive access to organizations’ IT infrastructures. 5 – End-of-Life Software Management When software reaches the end of its life, manufacturers will discontinue technical support and security improvements for these products, thus creating vulnerabilities that cybercriminals can easily exploit. As such, EOL software management (e. g. , having plans for introducing new software and phasing out unsupported products) is critical.

6 – Remote Desk Protocol (RDP) Safeguards RDP ports allow users to connect remotely to other servers or devices. Although these ports are useful, they can also be leveraged as a vector for launching ransomware attacks. To safeguard their RDP ports, organizations should keep these ports turned o when they aren’t in use and ensure such ports aren’t left exposed to the internet. 7 – Email Authentication Technology This technology monitors incoming emails and determines the validity of these messages based on specific sender verification standards that organizations have in place. Such technology can help keep potentially dangerous emails out of employees’ inboxes.

8 – Data Backups Organizations should determine safe locations to store their critical data, generate concrete schedules for backing up this information and outline data recovery procedures to ensure swift restoration amid possible cyber events. 9 – Incident Response Planning Through cyber incident response plans, organizations can establish protocols for detecting and containing digital threats, remaining operational and mitigating losses in a timely manner amid cyber events. These plans should address various scenarios and be routinely reviewed to ensure effectiveness. 10 – Employee Training Employees are widely considered organizations’ first line of defense against cyber incidents, making cybersecurity training crucial.

This training should occur on a regular basis and center around helping employees identify and respond to common cyberthreats. While it is difficult to address all the aspects of this important and complex topic in a short article, we do feel this list will start you down a path to becoming better prepared. For more cyber risk management and insurance guidance, contact us today.