If your business wants to protect its systems and data with the latest and greatest solutions, you’re probably looking into some pretty advanced cybersecurity tools. While it’s great you’re taking that initiative, it’s crucial we take a step back and assess your current IT setup.
As we’ve mentioned before, cybersecurity is a journey, not a destination. It takes several IT building blocks to get your business to a secure place, and those building blocks will continue to stack and evolve. It might feel like you need to jump to the most advanced tools possible- you may have even faced some scare tactics from salespeople trying to get you there- but the first step in cybersecurity is basic IT best practices.
Today, let’s talk about what basic IT best practices look like, some of the basics you should have in place and why these things should be managed by a trusted IT partner.
While this article does not provide an exhaustive list of essential IT tools or solutions, it can help your business start the conversation and give you a better idea of where you want to be.
In full disclosure, we are a managed service provider (MSP) offering managed IT and cybersecurity services, so of course, we will have some bias on the subject. That being said, much of what we’re talking about is industry standard, and we know that our services aren’t for everyone. Whether you work with Innovative, another MSP or an internal IT person, the tips in this article are good best practices that whoever is accountable for maintaining your IT infrastructure should follow. We’re here to be informative so your business can get the most out of its technology!
What do IT basics look like?
For starters, you need a good infrastructure in place with up-to-date hardware and software. Think of it like this: You wouldn’t install a state-of-the-art security system in your house if your house didn’t have a front door. That would be silly! In this scenario, your computers, servers, firewalls or any other technology in your business are the front door. You need to make sure these things are in place and functional before jumping to something more advanced.
Lifecycle Management
Implementing advanced cybersecurity measures would be difficult, and in some cases impossible, on outdated devices. Hardware is only meant to last so long before getting upgraded, and you don’t want your business to fall behind. Poor lifecycle management will leave you with slow devices that may be incompatible with up-to-date operating systems, creating a higher likelihood of security issues and downtime.
Software Updates and Patch Management
The same issues mentioned in the section above also apply to your software. You want to make sure your device is running an up-to-date and supported operating system so that your applications work and you can receive patches.
A patch is a software update that improves performance, adds features or fixes security vulnerabilities. While feature updates can often wait, security patches are crucial to maintaining security and productivity in your environment. A patch management process that ensures your devices receive these updates in a strategic and timely manner, and that the updates are compatible with your applications and hardware is a bare minimum element of IT management and cybersecurity.
Backups and Data Recovery
Data is everything in today’s world. More of our work is moving onto our devices and into the cloud, and we need it to be reliably accessible. Your data is useless if you can’t access it. The best way to prevent lost or inaccessible data is to have a good backup solution that allows you to recover lost data in a timely manner.
An added layer of cybersecurity is a great way to protect your data, but if something does go wrong, which is always a possibility, where is that data backed up? How are you going to restore that data and continue business operations?
Two Factor Authentication
Cyber attackers are always trying to find a way in, no matter the size of your business. One easy way to protect your login credentials is through two-factor authentication (2FA). By providing an extra form of verification in addition to your password, you can help prevent unwanted logins. This brings us right back to the front door analogy. Advanced cybersecurity tools won’t be nearly as effective if the cyber attackers can just walk right in. This is the tip of the iceberg in terms of cybersecurity measures.
Moving to More Advanced Solutions
Once these basic measures are properly implemented and managed (and it will look a little different for everyone), you’ll be better positioned to look ahead and identify more advanced tools your business can leverage. Your technology policies and procedures can become more standardized, and you’ll be ready to adopt those advanced cybersecurity solutions you’ve been hearing about.
And that’s just the beginning! There are so many amazing tools out there that can help businesses with automation and productivity. We just have to remember that those tools are meant to be a part of a healthy and well-maintained environment.
Working with IT Experts
As always, we would never recommend implementing these tools without the expertise of an IT leader, someone who understands your business and what technology should be leveraged to help you achieve your goals.
A trusted IT leader can provide a roadmap for the future, informing you of what’s on the horizon and how you can upgrade your environment within budget. They can help build a solid foundation of IT basics that can lead to advanced solutions that can safeguard your business.
Start Your Climb Today!
We can’t reach the top of the IT mountain without starting at the base. If your business is lacking in IT expertise or your gut tells you your technology is falling behind, it’s never too early to take action. Talk with your business leadership or your IT partner about some of the advanced tools you’re interested in, and ask what you need to do to get there.
