Strengthen your security.
- Make sure all computers and laptops require passwords. On laptops you need to run encryption on the hard drive. Windows Vista offers Bitlocker and the new Linux distributions that are running the EXT4 file system have the ability to encrypt built into the system.
- Strengthen passwords: Require passwords that mix letters and numbers – never names or dictionary words – and change them often.
- Combine antivirus, firewall, intrusion detection, and vulnerability management at endpoints – with encryption if they travel.
- Update virus definitions: Threats evolve – make sure your antivirus software recognizes them, by keeping your virus definitions up to date.
- Threats evolve – close vulnerabilities by quickly applying updates you recover from Microsoft and other software providers.
- If you allow employees, visitors and contractors to use USB keys make sure your protection software has the ability to detect and scan them on insertion.
- Keep your employees informed on the topic of security. Simple one page hand outs covering the guidelines for the use of company computers is a good start.
- File-sharing programs and free downloads may install malicious code automatically. Stop them with training, policies, and software.
- Implement and enforce backup schedules – and automate the process as much as possible.
- Backups are only as good as your ability to use the information you recover, so backup systems and applications as well as files.
- Don't wait until data recovery to discover a resource, process, or technical shortcoming – test the entire backup and recovery cycle.
- Keep backups offsite!! Fire, flood, vandalism, and sabotage are facts. Some companies provide services that will pick up your backups and store them.
- Be sure files and systems can survive loss of your facility, or even a regional disaster.
Matthew L Davidson
Lexington, KY
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