6 Ways to Secure Your Workplace Computer This Computer Security Day

Posted on: November 27, 2017 by Signature Insurance Group

It’s that time of  year again! Every November 30^th serves as an important reminder for businesses around the world. Computer Security Day was first instituted in 1988—and yes, there were plenty of threats even back then to warrant this call to attention. In the ensuing decades, the online threat environment has gotten exponentially worse, costing the global economy at least $450 billion a year.

To help raise awareness for Computer Security Day, we offer the following tips that serve as simple prevention tactics as well as a fail-safe plan that includes cyber liability insurance.

1. Update your password protocols

Password cracking is not just for the movies. Software designed for this kind of hacking is freely and openly available on the web. Only a strong password can dupe this software. For more details on password safety, check out our previous article on tips for choosing password parameters that will keep accounts secure.

2. Update your malware and antivirus protection

Those nagging updates could save your business. Antivirus software is frequently updated to keep ahead of the latest threats. Take the time to ensure every internet-connected device in the office is fully updated.

3. Secure all of your technology

Don’t stop at work computers. Encourage employees who work from home computers and laptops to keep their software updated and secure. Mobile phones and tablets are another big security risk that are too often overlooked in IT security strategies. If employees are using their personal, unprotected devices to work—even just to check e-mails—they are putting the business at risk.

4. Plan an employee training day

One of the most common methods of cyber attack is quite counter-intuitive. The criminal simply asks for the information they need, and an unwitting employee willingly hands it over. This is often done under the guise of being an IT support person, a bank, a vendor, an attorney, or a government official. A simple one-day training seminar can help employees learn to recognize these scams known as phishing or pretexting. You may even wish to have all employees take an online cyber security policy course, with IT employees taking more in-depth courses.

5. Review your backup policy

One of the costliest parts of a cyber attack is often the total loss of data. When a computer system is destroyed, years of pertinent information can be destroyed. Oftentimes, these files are still recoverable, and businesses will spend an inordinate amount of money trying to turn back the clock. It helps to focus on prevention by regularly backing up data to a secure, secondary format, such as external hard drives, USB drives, or the cloud.

6. Review your cyber liability insurance policy

Cyber security is a tricky field. While the above common sense steps help reduce the risk, keeping ahead of criminals is a never-ending battle. If your business is hit, you want the assurance that you will have the funds necessary to stay afloat. Cyber liability insurance can pay for data recovery, damaged computer systems, IT overtime, consumer notification, attorneys fees, government fines, credit card company penalties, and other high-ticket expenses.

About Signature Insurance Group

Signature Insurance Group has been working since 1969 to provide comprehensive insurance solutions to individuals and businesses across the United States. We offer a range of insurance products and services in risk management, employee benefits, business insurance, and personal insurance, and we pride ourselves on our commitment to creating “Signature Relationships” with our clients where we commit to providing the best, most comprehensive service possible. To learn more about our goods and services, contact us today at (800) 464-3606.

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