Today, protecting your business from cyberthreats is no longer optional. A cyberattack and data breach can cripple your operations, lead to financial losses, and tarnish your company’s reputation. However, by taking a proactive approach and asking the right questions, you can better safeguard your data and systems.
This year-end review checklist presents 10 questions that will help you assess your company’s cybersecurity posture.
1. Does your company have a cybersecurity strategy and framework?
To establish a robust defense, your company should have a clear plan for securing data, systems, and physical assets. Documenting this strategy not only safeguards your assets but also builds trust with stakeholders and guides your business’s future cybersecurity actions.
2. How secure is your physical office environment?
A secure physical environment forms the basis for digital protection. Ensure your office has secure doors and windows, access controls in key areas, and security cameras. These basics make it challenging for intruders to gain physical access to your systems.
| Related reading: 3 Types of security controls: Physical controls (Part 1 of 3) |
3. Does your company have data security policies?
Data security policies set the rules for how your information is accessed, used, and protected. They set clear expectations for everyone, from employees dealing with sensitive client data to individuals simply browsing the internet on company devices. These policies cover vital aspects such as password strength requirements and acceptable internet usage.
Make sure to regularly review and update your data security policies to ensure they are followed, relevant, and enforced at all times.
| Related reading: 3 Types of security controls: Administrative controls (Part 2 of 3) |
4. How does your company differentiate and safeguard sensitive information?
Classify data based on its sensitivity and importance. Then, tailor storage protocols for each category — customer records, financial documents, intellectual property — ensuring they receive the protection they deserve. By matching data importance to security level, you allocate resources efficiently and plug the most critical vulnerabilities first.
5. What security measures do you have in place to control system and data access?
To safeguard data and systems, implement the principle of least privilege. This involves granting employees access only to the specific data and IT resources they need to perform their job duties. For example, entry-level HR staff don’t need access to confidential marketing plans. By limiting access, you minimize potential damage in the event of a breach or hacking incident.
Next, implement multiple access controls, such as:
- Passwords – Enforce the use of strong and unique passwords for all company accounts.
- Multifactor authentication – This measure requires users to provide more than one proof of their identity, such as a fingerprint scan, on top of their login credentials.
- Data encryption – This measure scrambles sensitive data into an unreadable format to keep it safe from unauthorized parties.
6. Does your company use up-to-date software?
Cybercriminals often exploit known software vulnerabilities to breach IT systems. This is why your company needs to keep software up to date at all times. You can do this by enabling automatic software updates. It’s also a good idea to regularly check for available patches for critical systems even if they don’t update automatically.
7. What security measures do you have in place to protect your network?
To make it harder for cybercriminals to breach your network, it’s best to implement multiple security measures. Each layer adds another obstacle for cybercriminals, increasing the difficulty of infiltrating your network.
Here are three essential network security measures to implement:
- Network segmentation – Implement controlled boundaries within your network infrastructure to isolate critical assets and limit attacker movement.
- Firewalls – These block or allow incoming and outgoing network traffic based on predefined security policies.
- Intrusion detection systems – These devices or software applications monitor for malicious activity and suspicious user patterns in real time, and immediately alert security teams of potential threats.
| Related reading: 3 Types of security controls: Technical controls (Part 3 of 3) |
8. Does your company have a clear plan for responding to security incidents?
An incident response plan outlines how your company will handle a security breach, from initial detection to full recovery, ensuring a coordinated and focused response that minimizes business disruption and protects sensitive data. Having it in place ensures a coordinated and focused response that minimizes business disruption and protects sensitive data.
9. How does your company equip employees to recognize and prevent cybersecurity threats?
While robust technical security controls are crucial, human error can remain a critical vulnerability. This is why you should invest in regular security awareness training for your employees. Teach them good security habits and how to identify and report suspicious activity so they can become your company’s first line of defense against cyberthreats.
10. Does your company conduct cybersecurity assessments or audits?
Conduct regular cybersecurity assessments to identify vulnerabilities and areas for improvement. Proactively addressing these gaps and weaknesses helps fortify your defenses before cybercriminals can exploit them.
By asking these questions and taking action, you can build a robust security posture that protects your business from today’s ever-evolving cyberthreats. The IT experts of SpectrumWise can help you design, implement, and manage your security measures. Schedule a consultation with us today.
