As more businesses rely on data and online systems for operations, organizational security has become critical. From protecting sensitive data to defending against cyber threats, establishing strong security measures is now essential for maintaining trust, integrity, and continuity in today’s business environment.
In this blog, we’ll discuss what organizational security is, effective ways to improve your security posture, and how working with a managed service provider like Prescient Solutions can ensure comprehensive protection and expert support to safeguard your digital assets and infrastructure.
What is Organizational Security?
Organizational security outlines policies, procedures, and practices to safeguard an organization’s IT systems and sensitive information from online threats. It oversees various areas, including access controls, compliance, physical security, risk management, incident responses, and other areas. Effective organizational security should take a proactive approach and include collaboration across all departments to create a culture of security awareness and ensure comprehensive protection.
9 Ways to Improve Organizational Security
Organizations that fail to prioritize security are at risk for data breaches, regulatory fines, financial losses, reputational damage, and disruptions to their operations. To reduce your risk of online threats and secure your business’s sensitive information, follow the nine strategies outlined below.
1. Adopt a Zero-Trust Architecture
A zero-trust architecture is an organizational security approach that assumes every person, device, and connection is unsafe, even if in your organization’s own network. To implement a zero-trust architecture, start by identifying your organization's data and resources based on their importance and sensitivity. Then, set up strict access controls and authentication measures so that only authorized staff members can access specific data or systems. Regularly monitor and survey your network traffic for any unusual behavior or signs of potential threats.
2. Strong Passwords
Complex passwords can help prevent unauthorized access and keep your accounts protected. All passwords should be at least 12 characters, use both upper and lowercase letters, include numbers and symbols, and not contain any personal or easy-to-guess information. Multi-factor authentication, a method that requires a second or third level of verification, can also provide extra security for your accounts.
3. Access Controls
Strict access controls are an important step in securing your organization's data and systems. By clearly defining who has access to what information and platforms, you can minimize the risk of unauthorized access and data breaches. Be sure to regularly review and update access permissions to ensure that staff members only have access to the information necessary for their roles. In addition, make sure you promptly remove access for employees who are no longer with your organization.
4. Data Encryption
Data encryption is a cybersecurity method that converts information into code so people with unauthorized access cannot read it. To read the information, individuals must have a secret key or password. By implementing this method, businesses can prevent intercepted data from being understood and ensure that the data has not been altered. Encryption should be used when transmitting or storing private information, such as medical records, financial data, personal information, or any other confidential data that could cause harm if intercepted.
5. Employee Training
Human error is one of the most common causes of security breaches. For example, clicking on links or attachments in phishing emails can cause staff members to accidentally disclose sensitive information to online criminals. Using weak passwords can also make it easier for attackers to gain unauthorized access. To prevent these incidents, security awareness training is critical. Employees should be given comprehensive training on the latest security threats, your organization's security policies, cybersecurity best practices, and where to report suspicious activity.
6. Physical Security
Cybersecurity should go beyond firewalls and antivirus protection. Unauthorized access can also occur physically through methods like stealing keys, tailgating behind authorized personnel, and exploiting vulnerabilities in building security systems. To prevent this, businesses must implement strict access controls, implement surveillance, and provide employee training. Organizations should also prepare for natural disasters like floods, fires, and storms to prevent weather-related damage and ensure that all data is backed up.
7. Regular Patch Management and Security Updates
Outdated software and IT systems often have vulnerabilities that can be exploited by hackers. However, updates and patches contain the latest fixes for known vulnerabilities and can prevent online actors from entering your systems. By regularly updating software and performing security patches, businesses can stay ahead of online threats and prevent unauthorized access. To simplify updates and ensure timely protection, schedule your updates in advance and use automation when possible.
8. Network Monitoring
Network monitoring is a security process that analyzes your entire IT network for bottlenecks, performance issues, unauthorized access, and suspicious activity. When issues are detected, IT teams are alerted immediately so problems can be addressed quickly and major disruptions can be mitigated. For small or medium-sized businesses that lack the resources for network monitoring tools, working with a managed IT services provider may be beneficial. These providers can monitor your IT systems remotely and remediate issues quickly to keep your business operating smoothly.
9. Regular Security Audits
Cyber threats are always evolving, meaning businesses need to be vigilant and continually improve their defenses. To ensure your security measures stay updated and effective, businesses should perform regular security audits. These audits should evaluate your business’s network security, endpoint protection, access controls, data security practices, physical barriers, and the effectiveness of your incident response plans. Make sure you clearly define your objectives, test your performance using simulated attack scenarios, and make necessary improvements to ensure your defenses remain effective.
For additional security strategies, reach out to our team at Prescient Solutions. We’re at the forefront of today’s cybersecurity trends and can help your organization strengthen its security defenses and protect its digital assets.
How Managed Service Providers Can Improve Your Security
Each year, cybercrime is becoming more sophisticated and widespread across all industries. To keep up, many organizations are turning to managed services. These providers offer a number of IT services and expertise to help businesses strengthen their security measures and protect against a wide range of online threats. In the following sections, we’ll explore the top benefits of partnering with a reputable IT provider like Prescient Solutions for organizational security.
Security Audits
Regular security audits can help organizations pinpoint weaknesses in their IT infrastructure and identify areas for improvement. At Prescient, we conduct thorough security audits to evaluate the effectiveness of your security strategies, identify vulnerabilities, and develop tailored plans to enhance your security posture against cyber threats.
24/7 Monitoring
Many IT providers provide around-the-clock monitoring. This can be especially beneficial for organizations, as many security incidents occur outside of normal business hours. Without 24/7 monitoring, security issues may not be resolved until the following day or after the weekend, potentially leading to major issues. With Prescient's 24/7 monitoring services, organizations can rest assured that any security incidents or abnormalities will be promptly detected and addressed, regardless of the time of day.
Disaster Recovery Planning
Floods, fires, storms, data breaches, and other major events can damage IT infrastructure, cause data loss, and disrupt business operations. A disaster recovery plan can help organizations prepare for these events to minimize downtime, recover lost data, and restore operations quickly. At Prescient, we leave no stone unturned when it comes to disaster recovery planning. Our team performs comprehensive assessments for potential risks and develops tailored recovery strategies to ensure continuity.
Employee Training
Employee security awareness training is critical to prevent security incidents, but many organizations don’t have the time or expertise to keep their employees informed. By partnering with a managed IT services provider in Chicago, organizations can receive comprehensive training on the latest security threats. At Prescient, we educate employees about cybersecurity best practices, phishing scams, data protection policies, and incident response protocols, empowering them to become your first line of defense.
Access to Cybersecurity Technology
If you’re a small or medium-sized business, you may not have the resources to invest in the latest security technology. However, managed service providers invest in the newest technologies and employ skilled technicians to leverage these technologies effectively. By partnering with Prescient, your organization can gain access to these resources without making significant upfront investments.
Conclusion
Organizations face many challenges when it comes to security. However, by following the tips outlined in this blog and partnering with a trusted IT partner, they can level the playing field and defend against cyber threats with confidence. At Prescient, we offer a full suite of services to help organizations stay resilient and protect their data from online hackers. From threat intelligence and vulnerability assessments to comprehensive training and IT planning, our team has got your back.
To assess your cybersecurity posture and identify potential vulnerabilities, contact us today for a consultation.
