‘Cyber-attacks increase amid mounting security concerns in global industries’
Headlines like the above are commonplace in the media today. It seems like each time we open a newspaper, switch on our TV, or go online, we are confronted with a new case of an information security breach.
In 2014, a study on data breach preparedness confirmed that 43% of US organizations had a data breach in the past year and that this figure is growing. Considering the sheer volume of companies that exist in the US alone, this statistic is quite alarming.
Information Security is vital in safeguarding an organization’s reputation and maintaining the trust and loyalty of its customers. This article highlights five steps you can take to ensure your data networks are protected.
1. Appoint an Information Security Officer
The size and nature of your organization might dictate whether or not you can employ a full-time person for this job. But don’t let that stop you. Consider the employees you already have and who may have the ability and capacity to take on the duties of Information Security Officer along with their other duties. Perhaps someone in-house is particularly technologically savvy and has a flair for this type of work? Offering this person the necessary training could be enough of an incentive for them to take on the additional responsibility. Regardless of the circumstances, don’t let financial constraints and other circumstances compromise your information security – it is simply too important for the success of your business. Explore your options, identify someone who can live up to the task, and set out clear objectives for the role.
2. Evaluate your existing information security policy
Do you have an existing security policy in place? You do? Great! But have you assessed how effective it is or if it needs updating? An information security policy provides management with direction and support for information security across the organization. A policy will establish controls for the use of systems which reduce risks to information assets. Without an information security policy, your organization is at much greater risk of security breaches through day-to-day activities such as accessing internal networks and online systems, emailing, or simply browsing the internet. End user guidelines that highlight what employees can do with the resources the company provides such as computers, tablets, or smartphones both inside and outside the office should be a key feature of your policy.
3. Information Security Awareness Training
When it comes to compliance issues of any kind, awareness is everything. With that in mind, communicating your security policies and providing your employees with regular compliance training which highlights the importance of information security will support your efforts to combat threats to information security in your organization. Use employee training to its full potential in promoting best practices in information security across your organization. All employees, at every level, must be aware at all times that they have a responsibility to protect sensitive information and what the consequences are for them as individuals.
4. Improved Incidence Response Rate
If and when there are incidences of information security breaches in an organization, the speed at which they are reported when discovered is crucial in controlling any damage that has been done. For this reason, all employees should be aware of the importance of reporting any incidences as quickly as possible. As a rule of thumb, you should plan and act as though a breach in information security is inevitable and you should develop procedures so that you and your teams are prepared if the time comes.
5. Consistent Monitoring & Improvement
This may seem like a no-brainer, but its importance cannot be overlooked. Security is all about being vigilant and identifying a threat before they have a chance to develop into attack. With new threats to information networks emerging daily and new regulatory requirements being introduced more frequently, your information security policy must be kept up to date. Keeping abreast of current trends and the latest improvements in information security technology is also highly important and should be a task your ISO takes very seriously.
Do you have an information security policy in place? How has your organization dealt with growing information security threats? We’d love to hear from you to discuss!
About Us
Interactive Services has over 25 years’ experience in developing customized compliance training solutions for the world’s leading organizations. We deliver custom eLearning and blended learning solutions to support the compliance initiatives of our clients. We also offer a custom product, the Compliance Learning Center (CLC) – a suite of learning modules developed by industry experts to help deliver workforce compliance training.
Contact us to discuss your compliance training needs today!