5 Ways to Keep Your IT System Secure

With the recent news of yet another Twitter security breach, talk has turned once again to keeping your office IT system safe from hackers. As technology becomes more advanced, so do the phishing scams.

We’ve all received those emails telling us we’ve been left money by a mysterious benefactor, but there are more sophisticated ways people are trying to get your information. Here are 5 simple, but effective ways you can keep your IT system secure:

1. Password protected

It may seem obvious, but you’re more susceptible to cyber attacks when you have week passwords. Avoid anything like ‘password123’; or any of the other passwords on Mashable’s list of the worst passwords as they are easy to guess and hack.

If access to all networks and computers require passwords, make sure they use letter, numbers and symbols as well as upper and lower case characters. You should also make sure that any master document containing all passwords is encrypted with a unique password to keep it secure.

2. Keep your systems safe

By limiting access to your IT system, you can help keep it secure. Eliminate unnecessary access from individual users, and only give privileges to those who need it. Unique email addresses, logins and such for different departments etc, all work together to help minimise risk.

People with limited knowledge can accidently expose your system, so make sure the right systems are in place in case this happens. Your IT systems are an extremely valuable asset, so make sure that you do your best to keep them safe.

3. Keep your anti-virus up-to-date

We’ve all been guilty of ignoring those notifications alerting us to out of date anti-virus software. But with something as sensitive as your corporate IT systems, you have to be more careful. Ensure you have a robust anti-virus set up on all PCs and servers, and make sure it is doing its job.

You should also make sure you have the latest versions of any software you use. This will keep security as tight as possible, and help guard against any potential malware or virus threats. It may be a mundane task, but it is hugely important.

4. Take caution with the cloud

Cloud computing has transformed many businesses, but it can pose many threats.

As they are housed by third parties, they may have their own security issues which put you at risk. Make sure any sensitive data is kept secure - either on your IT system or offline completely. As cloud computing becomes more advanced, it may become more secure but you should always exercise caution.

5. Stay on your guard

Get into the habit of shredding all your paper documentation. That means eradicating names, addresses, logos, and card details. All sensitive documents should be stored safely, and destroyed as such.

You should also change your passwords regularly to avoid any hacks. Where possible, keep your passwords to yourself. It may seem OTT, but it is certainly worth the effort. After all, it is better to be safe than sorry.

Keeping your IT system secure requires common sense and a little bit of thought. You always need to be one step ahead, and a little paranoia could be just what makes the difference for your business. You may never experience any issues, but you should have these steps in place just in case.

BTI Computers specialises in server room monitoring, just another way of keeping your IT system secure. Contact them today to learn more.