The Hollywood perception of Cybersecurity really makes our jobs look glamourous. Typing at the speed of a caffeinated cheetah as we fight back viruses and worms, and before you know it, we have saved the world. If it were like that every day, we’d probably charge a lot more.
In fact, IT Support can be a lot more collaborative than you know. As well as looking after servers, computers, managing updates, and all the techy stuff that you expect of us – a big part of what we do relies upon the common sense and education of our clients.
IT Support companies talk a lot about how to avoid online phishing attacks, and using antivirus software to protect your tech. Sometimes what really helps us is a lot more rudimentary than anything you do after you have logged on. It starts with locking your office door.
Basic physical security
It’s no good having all the flashy tech in the world if someone can walk into your office and steal it without being confronted. If someone was able to come in and strip your office of hardware, or even your warehouse full of cables, how much would it cost for you replace it all? How much would your business lose if you were unable to provide your usual service until the technology issue was resolved? Would it damage any insurance claim?
What should businesses be on the lookout for?
Tailgating Employees
Larger companies might find that employees are a little laxer about challenging people who follow them into buildings. It might be that there are a lot of agency staff so that people don’t know who will be coming in from day-to-day, or your staff are non-confrontational and don’t like to pester other people.
If tailgaters, contractors, and cleaning crew have unchallenged access then all your systems are at risk. If this sounds like your business, employing security guards, or turnstiles in the building that require card access to get through will help protect your infrastructure.
Regularly maintained CCTV solutions are important
You might believe that your cameras are enough of a deterrent. If they are covering all your access points, your entrances and exits, then you must be safe, right?
With most CCTV solutions, the cameras are linked to the same wi-fi systems that links your computers and servers. This means that they are vulnerable too, especially if the regularly sent updates haven’t been installed. If nobody is managing the patches for your security system, then your business is at risk. If thieves have access to your security system, it might as well not be there.
Important technology easy to access
Your warehouse might be working from 6am to 10pm, if not 24/7. That doesn’t mean your marketing or sales office are open for the same amount of time. If your office staff clock off at 5pm and don’t lock the office door behind them, how much money are you leaving on the table?
The basic act of locking the office is often enough of a deterrent for anyone who has accessed the building. All it takes is a door with a code given to only those people who need access to it.
The curse of the post-it note and the unlocked screen
Sometimes it doesn’t need locked doors, CCTV systems, roaming security guards, attack dogs, and guided missiles. Sometimes it just needs a moment or two and some common sense.
Employees can’t be expected just to be rooted to the chair from the moment they arrive to the moment they leave in the evening. They are going to fetch drinks, walk around a little, and disappear for breaks. But some, when doing this leave their screens unlocked. Or, even if they lock their screens, they have a nice post it note with their password written on it. This means anyone with access can go anywhere on the system.
So, it’s time to get physical
Your physical security is important, not just for the cool tech and cables you have stored in the building, but for your employee’s safety amongst other important things. Keeping your infrastructure safe is everyone’s responsibility. Whether that is following the guidelines to avoid social engineering attacks or making sure the office is physically secure.
For more information about helping you with cybersecurity, contact us on 01327 300 311
or email [email protected] with any enquiries.
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