Slamming the door on hackers

15 minute read

How do you protect your home from the outside world? The answer might seem simple, lock the doors and close the windows. This basic security measure ensures that your physical space is secure from unwanted visitors. However, when it comes to protecting your IT systems, whether at home or in a corporate environment, things are not quite so straightforward. The digital landscape is vast, and threats come from multiple directions, often in ways that are not immediately visible. This requires a more comprehensive approach to security, far beyond just locking doors.

Securing Your Home IT Environment

In the average home today, the number of devices connected to the internet has skyrocketed. You might have smartphones, tablets, computers, smart TVs, and even connected appliances such as fridges, thermostats, and lighting systems. These devices make life more convenient, but they also increase the number of entry points for potential cyber threats. So, how do you ensure that your home network is secure?



1. Understanding the Threat Landscape:
The first step in securing your home IT environment is understanding the threats. Cybercriminals target home networks for various reasons, to steal personal information, to gain access to sensitive data, or even to use your devices as part of larger attacks on other networks. Common threats include malware, phishing attacks, ransomware, and unauthorized access to your network.

2. Keeping Track of Connected Devices:
With so many devices connected to your home network, it can be challenging to keep track of what is on and what should not be. This is where network monitoring tools come in handy. These tools allow you to see all the devices connected to your network at any given time, helping you identify any suspicious devices or activity. It is also important to regularly review and update your device list. For instance, if you have stopped using an old device, make sure it is disconnected from the network to eliminate unnecessary vulnerabilities.

3. Securing Your WiFi Network:
One of the most common entry points for cybercriminals is an unsecured WiFi network. If your WiFi network is not properly protected, it can be easy for someone to gain access to your home network and the devices connected to it. To secure your WiFi network, make sure you are using a strong, unique password. Avoid using common or easily guessable passwords such as "password123" or your name and birth year. Additionally, make sure your network is encrypted, ideally using WPA3 encryption, which offers stronger security than its predecessors.

4. Regularly Updating Devices and Software:
Keeping your devices and software up to date is a crucial aspect of home IT security. Manufacturers frequently release updates that patch security vulnerabilities, so it is important to install these updates as soon as they become available. This applies to all devices on your network, from your smartphone to your smart thermostat.

5. Implementing Firewalls and Antivirus Software:
Firewalls and antivirus software act as your first line of defence against cyber threats. A firewall helps block unauthorized access to your network, while antivirus software scans your devices for malicious software and removes it. Make sure you have both a firewall and antivirus software in place and keep them updated to protect against the latest threats.

6. Creating a Guest Network:
If you frequently have visitors who need to connect to your WiFi, consider creating a separate guest network. This way, your main network remains secure, and your guests can connect to the internet without accessing your devices or data.

Corporate Network Security: A Bigger Challenge

When it comes to securing a corporate network, the stakes are even higher. Businesses deal with sensitive data, intellectual property, and critical systems that, if compromised, can lead to significant financial and reputational damage. In an office environment, there are many more factors to consider, from wireless access to guest access, to the physical security of devices. So, how can businesses ensure that their systems are secure?

1. Understanding the Complexity of Corporate Networks:
Corporate networks are often complex, with many different devices, users, and access points. Employees may connect to the network using company issued devices, personal devices, or through remote connections. In addition, there may be guest users who need temporary access to the network, such as contractors or visitors. Each of these access points represents a potential vulnerability, so it is essential to have a clear understanding of who is connecting to your network and what they are accessing.

2. Implementing Access Control Measures:
Access control is a critical component of corporate network security. This involves defining who can access what resources and ensuring that only authorized users can gain access to sensitive data or systems. Access control measures can include password policies, multifactor authentication, and role based access controls. For example, a sales team member might need access to customer data but not to financial records. By limiting access based on roles, businesses can reduce the risk of unauthorized access.

3. Securing Wireless Access:
In an office environment, wireless access points are often used to provide network connectivity. However, if these access points are not properly secured, they can become entry points for cybercriminals. To secure wireless access, businesses should ensure that their WiFi networks are encrypted and that strong passwords are used. In addition, businesses can implement measures such as network segmentation, which involves creating separate networks for different purposes. For example, a business might create one network for employees and another for guests. This way, if the guest network is compromised, the main network remains secure.

4. Protecting Against Internal Threats:
While much of the focus on cybersecurity is on external threats, internal threats are just as important to consider. These can come from employees who intentionally or unintentionally compromise the security of the network. For example, an employee might click on a phishing email or use a weak password, allowing cybercriminals to gain access to the network. To mitigate the risk of internal threats, businesses should implement regular security training for employees. This training should cover topics such as how to identify phishing emails, the importance of strong passwords, and how to securely handle sensitive data.

5. Monitoring Network Activity:
Monitoring network activity is an essential part of corporate network security. By keeping an eye on what is happening on the network, businesses can quickly identify and respond to potential security threats. This can be done through network monitoring tools that provide real time visibility into network activity. These tools can alert IT teams to unusual activity, such as a sudden increase in data traffic or an attempt to access restricted resources. By responding quickly to these alerts, businesses can prevent security incidents before they escalate.

6. Regularly Updating and Patching Systems:
Just like in a home environment, keeping systems and software up to date is crucial in a corporate setting. However, in a corporate environment, the stakes are higher, and the process can be more complex. Businesses should have a regular patch management process in place to ensure that all systems are up to date with the latest security patches. This includes not just the devices that employees use, but also the servers, network devices, and other infrastructure that support the business.

7. Managing Remote Access:
In today's world, remote work has become increasingly common. While this offers flexibility for employees, it also presents new security challenges. Remote access to corporate networks needs to be tightly controlled to prevent unauthorized access. This can be achieved through the use of Virtual Private Networks (VPNs), which provide a secure connection between remote devices and the corporate network. Additionally, multi-factor authentication should be required for remote access to ensure that only authorized users can connect.

The Importance of Regular Security Audits

Both at home and in a corporate environment, regular security audits are essential. These audits help identify vulnerabilities in your security systems and provide an opportunity to address them before they are exploited by cybercriminals. A security audit involves a comprehensive review of your security policies, procedures, and technologies. This can include everything from reviewing firewall configurations to testing employee awareness of security protocols.
In a corporate environment, security audits should be conducted by a qualified security professional who can provide an objective assessment of your security posture. At home, you can conduct a basic security audit yourself by reviewing your network settings, checking for outdated software, and ensuring that all devices are properly secured.

The Human Element: A Critical Factor in Security

While technology plays a significant role in protecting your home and corporate networks, the human element should not be overlooked. Many security breaches occur due to human error, such as clicking on a phishing link, using weak passwords, or failing to update software. This is why security awareness training is so important, both at home and in the workplace.
At home, take the time to educate your family members about the importance of security. Make sure they understand how to recognize phishing emails, why it is important to use strong passwords and how to secure their devices.
In a corporate environment, security awareness training should be an ongoing process. Employees should be regularly reminded of security best practices and updated on the latest threats. This can be done through regular training sessions, security newsletters, and simulated phishing attacks to test employees' awareness.

Addressing the Challenge of Past Employees

In a corporate environment, there is an additional challenge that must be addressed for past employees. When an employee leaves the company, it is essential to revoke their access to corporate systems and data. This includes changing passwords, disabling accounts, and recovering company owned devices. Failing to do so can leave your business vulnerable to insider threats, where a disgruntled former employee might try to access sensitive information or disrupt operations.

Locking the Digital Doors: A Continuous Effort

Just as you would lock your doors and windows to protect your home from intruders, securing your IT systems requires a proactive approach. It is not enough to set up security measures and then forget about them. Security is an ongoing process that requires regular updates, monitoring, and education.
Whether you are securing your home network or a corporate environment, the key is to stay vigilant and be aware of the latest threats. By implementing the security measures outlined in this blog post, you can significantly reduce the risk of a security breach and protect your data from cybercriminals.
Our team has been working with IT systems for the last 20 years and can help you navigate the complexities of securing your home or corporate network. We can provide expert advice, perform security audits, and help you implement the best practices needed to keep your systems safe. If you are interested in learning more about how we can help, please contact us on 01489 290 001 for more information.

This post was brought to you by Baldeep on 01 Mar 2017.

Small businesses are often left behind by IT companies as the aim is to work with the larger businesses. Baldeep started the company knowing that IT doesn't have to be your frustration. Provide great solutions at small business budgets is helping companies in Hampshire to focus on their goals without the burden of IT overheads or downtime.

Baldeep continued developing his skillset and has multiple accreditations to his name including his degree, Microsoft Certifications, ITIL and VMware Data Center Virtualization Certification. He is always learning to move IT forward for your business.

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