The electronic systems used by businesses of all sizes operate with a range of sensitive and confidential data. These systems must be optimally secured, to protect not only your business, but your partners and clients also. Overseeing your data security can be an overwhelming task. We’ve provided a simple airport security analogy to help you understand the 4 stages you need to undertake to implement a comprehensive data protection plan.
1) Luggage Checkpoint & Spam Filter
You’re ready to embark on your trip. The first security step when entering the airport will be carry-on luggage screening to ensure prohibited items are not brought on board. Consider your first line of defense for data protection as your computer’s spam filter.
One careless click and your business could be compromised by a virus or malware. Worse yet, some filters are too aggressive and can cause you to miss important emails. Advanced spam filters will identify and sort incoming website traffic such as links, attachments and emails. Filters then ensure suspicious data is blocked as soon as it’s picked up, before serious damage can be done to your device.
2) Customs & Firewalls
You’re luggage has been cleared by security and you’re next stop is to pass through customs. Here, your passport will be checked and anything dangerous which wasn’t picked up in the luggage security check should be identified. For your businesses data protection, your second line of defence is to install a firewall.
A firewall will provide an added layer of spam filtering, taking a deeper look at the traffic coming through from the internet. Fortinet Fortigate Firewalls will block viruses, worms, spam, phishing attacks and malicious websites without the need for administrative intervention. You can also determine what sites you don’t want employees accessing, to ensure constant protection from the latest threats.
3) Boarding Pass & Antivirus
After passing through customs, you arrive at your gate to present your boarding pass. If information on the boarding pass is invalid, you will be stopped. This means, anything which was not picked up during the first two security checks should be here.
Your third line of defence for your data protection is to install an anti-virus protection software. An anti-virus software will prevent any malicious traffic that has passed the last two stages, and stop it from going any further. Even better, If a virus has infiltrated a device, the antivirus will be there to stop it from running.
4) Seating Allocation & Staff Education
You’ve passed each step! Now you’re ready for the flight attendant to show you to your seat. You’ll be comfortably on your way knowing the numerous security protection processes have kept you safe.
Our final, and often overlooked, data protection line of defence is staff education. Much like a flight attendant being educated of the plane’s seating chart, you must educate your staff about the importance of data security. Knowledge is power, so find engaging ways to convey the value of data, best practices and policies.
Here at Synapse IT Consultants, we offer a variety of services and products to ensure your devices are always protected. If you would like to find out more about how we can help your business, please click here.
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