In today's digital landscape, cyber security is not just an IT concern—it's a business imperative. Here are ten essential steps every organization should implement:
1. Risk Management Regime
Establish a governance structure and determine your risk appetite. Senior management should own and oversee cyber security risks.
2. Secure Configuration
Apply security patches and ensure systems are configured securely. Remove or disable unnecessary functionality.
3. Network Security
Protect your networks from external and internal attacks. Use firewalls, intrusion detection, and network segmentation.
4. Managing User Privileges
Limit user privileges and monitor user activity. Apply the principle of least privilege.
5. User Education and Awareness
Train staff to understand their role in keeping the organization secure. Phishing awareness is crucial.
6. Incident Management
Establish incident response and disaster recovery capabilities. Test your plans regularly.
7. Malware Prevention
Establish anti-malware defenses across the organization. Keep software up to date.
8. Monitoring
Monitor all systems and networks for signs of compromise. Analyze logs for unusual activity.
9. Removable Media Controls
Control the use of removable media. Scan all media for malware before importing.
10. Home and Mobile Working
Develop policies for mobile working and secure remote access. Use VPNs and multi-factor authentication.
Implementing these ten steps will significantly improve your organization's cyber security posture and reduce the risk of successful attacks.
