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By Don Reisinger on 2011-01-05
Security is a top concern for all IT practitioners, at every level. As a CIO, you’re responsible for making sure nothing gets in that will damage your network and data. Breaches can have a dramatic impact on productivity and profitability, and worries likely keep you up at night as new threats come forward almost daily. This year will be no different when it comes to the battle against malicious hackers. We’ll see security issues that could cause data loss, malware outbreaks and other types of threats--from both inside and out of your company--that will impact the way you and your team handle IT security. What do you need to keep in mind when you’re plotting your counter-attack and securing your corporate network against cybercriminals and malicious hackers? And it’s not just the threats that are trying to get in that you need to worry about. Employee mistakes, whether they click on links in spam, come across malicious content on social networking sites or are using an unprotected mobile device, can have lasting repercussions when it comes to security. Here we take a look at 10 things you need to keep in mind when you’re waging the war against cybercrime and hackers in the next 12 months.
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Viruses and SpywareViruses and spyware were a major concern last year, and they will be an even greater concern this year. Whether you’re running Windows or you have some Mac OS X computers in your operation, malicious hackers are putting all the tools at their disposal to good use to attack your network.
E-Mail-Borne ThreatsBe sure to let employees know that 2011 will be yet another year where e-mail threats can wreak havoc on a company. Not only will spam impact your operation, you’ll also need to think about the possibility of malware making its way into your network through e-mail attachments. Quick tip: be sure to tell your employees to trust no unsolicited e-mails.
SpamSpeaking of e-mail threats, it’s important to always consider the impact spam can have on your network. Too often, employees think spam is just a nuisance. But as you know all too well, it can carry some nasty threats that could put your data at serious risk. Be sure to have a solid spam filter in your operation, and inform employees that if they see spam get through, they should delete it immediately.
Social ThreatsSocial networks are gaining in popularity, and 2011 will likely be another banner year for sites like Facebook and Twitter. Realizing that, be sure to either limit access to social networks or institute a use policy on how they should be used on corporate computers. Cybercriminals are quickly realizing that when some folks use social networks, their guards go down, allowing the enemy to strike.
Smartphone ConnectivityYou’re undoubtedly equipping your employees with smartphones. But in 2011, you might consider giving them iPhones or Android-based devices. But before you do, be sure to remember that those products are designed more for entertainment than productivity. And consumers might tend to be a bit more lax in their worry about security on those products than they otherwise might be on, say, a BlackBerry. If they know they can be entertained, they might put themselves in undue risk.
Gone PhishingPhishing scams have been around for years, and this year, they will undoubtedly continue to impact your employees. January might be a good time to give employees a quick refresher on how to spot phishing scams, and sure that they are going to the sites they know they can trust.
Dangerous BrowsingThere is a heated debate continued to be waged between those that believe companies should lock down Web browsing in the office and those that think browsing should be open. In either case, you need to spend considerable time this year ensuring that your employees don’t engage in dangerous browsing habits. They shouldn’t be visiting adult sites, they shouldn’t go to sites they don’t know, and they most certainly shouldn’t click links in unsolicited e-mails. Poor browsing habits are the cause of all kinds of security problems in the enterprise.
Employee TrustworthinessAs serious as the risks are related to software and the Web, there is always a concern that employees will steal sensitive data for their own gain. At any time, they can plug in a USB drive and steal data. They might also intentionally upload content to sites across the Web. Keeping a watchful eye on employee activity is a good idea.
Apps, Apps, AppsThe growth of mobile apps has been astounding. Android and iPhone users are downloading programs at a rapid rate. The only problem is, there is no real guarantee that those programs are as trustworthy as their developers say. You should either establish a mobile app policy in your operation or just prohibit employees from downloading apps at all. They’re a bigger risk than some folks, especially employees, might think.
TabletsTablets allow employees to be mobile, and they offer a level of productivity not typically seen in smartphones. But they also bring some serious risks. Like the iPhone, tablets are designed with entertainment in mind. And that’s precisely why consumers love them. But in the corporate world, employees seeking entertainment can be a security nightmare. And it’s something you’ll need to keep in mind going forward.
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