In today’s world of big business and large databases, there is always the potential for security breaches. As we all know, the best way to maintain security on a network is to put in various different security measures such as passwords, firewalls and using antivirus software. But none of these options are 100% effective at preventing data from being stolen or compromised. As long as there are people using network resources, there exists the potential for a security breach. So the question is, how do you create security awareness at your company?

One way to prevent security issues at your company is to train employees on best practices of computer security. This can include informing employees of the importance of strong passwords, how to spot suspicious emails, and how to avoid malicious websites. Each employee should be informed on how to use network resources safely and securely to prevent security breaches. The better informed an employee is the more likely they will be to be able to prevent security issues before they happen. Employees should also be retrained periodically to make sure they know how to follow the security policies of the company.

Social media is becoming another not so obvious threat to business organizations. For instance, if an employee posts status updates that are related to the company, they may be unknowingly releasing information to competitors. Hackers may also use social media to tailor emails to a specific person within an organization, a technique known as spear phishing. This increases the chances that the person will open the email and open attachments or reply to the email and give away confidential information. The potential threat that social media plays in today’s world of IT security is not fully known and is always changing.

Setting up monitoring devices can also help stop malicious activity on a business network. Some web browsers and antivirus programs can prevent users from accessing malicious web pages if they are unsafe. This is an excellent tool for regulating which sites employees are able to access. Manually blocking sites with known security issues can also help improve security. Network firewalls can also be used to accomplish this task on a higher level if needed.

Security awareness is one very important factor that business must consider if they want to keep their organization safe from outside threats. There are many different threats for people to look out for. Weather it is an intentional attack against a company or an accidental leak of information, all must be taken seriously to prevent security breaches. Training and use of technological tools can play a large role in security awareness but must be constantly updated and revised to keep up with emerging threats.

If you have recently experienced a security breach or are updating your IT security protocols, reach out to the San Diego IT support experts at Syndeo Communications and learn how our on-site, over-the-phone, and remote desktop support can help protect your company from internal and external threats. Call (760) 650-3300 and schedule a free consultation today.