Tips for Imroving Your Network Security
Network Security: Education is the Best Defence
A study done in the UK revealed some interesting facts on security breaches of corporate information via computer networks:
6% of the breaches are caused by dissatisfied ex-employees; 13% by disgruntled employees; 18% by external parties; and 63% through – surprise! – employee (or user) mistakes.
User mistakes range from not turning off the “reading pane” in their email client [so that the email messages with viruses don't get opened automatically] to visiting risky sites using Internet Explorer [some sites put malicious code on your Internet Explorer browser that compromises the security...Microsoft updates its browsers but hackers seem to find more holes.]
Having sophisticated intrusion detection systems won’t keep the computer network unbreakable, when the users unintentionally compromise the security. You can’t keep the network secure without user education. Educate them on how they can help keep the network secure and why it is important. Merely putting policies in place might not help.
Email Policy: Define Parameters
I read in the newspaper that a dozen employees in a non-profit organisation were chastised for circulating the picture of the infamous accident of Janet Jackson (a pop star)!
Most small to mid sized organisations don’t clearly define what the “acceptable usage policy” is for email and Internet usage. I know of a few larger companies that don’t clearly specify what the usage policy is either. Not that the usage policy will totally stop staff circulating such pictures in emails. However it is a good place to start.
Employees will get an understanding of what is expected of them. Before expecting the staff to abide by the policies, it is the employers’ duty to clearly state what the policies are and if possible, make that as part of the employee’s agreement. Please give us a call if you need a hand with developing the policies for your organisation.