No company is safe from human error. Statistics indicate that every year, over one billion records of data are compromised due to common mishaps. More than 90 million IT-related accidents are reported in the US alone. It gets worse; A whopping average of $15 million in damages relentlessly plague even the most prestigious and security conscious of companies.
Apparently, the slightest of errors can snowball to even bigger problems. Sure, a lot of threats like malware or having no backed up data whatsoever are obvious issues, but the real problems is often related to the tiny details which IT personnel constantly overlook.
Today’s fast-moving consumerist society, 24/7 accessibility, and customer expectation, time is of the essence. Smaller companies simply do not have or take the time to pay attention to small details in methods and practices which may cost them immense amounts of money. There is no simple solution, but keeping these issues into account is a start. IT teams need to avoid making these very simple mistakes in order to avert certain company catastrophe.
1. Not Having Backups or Proper Anti-Virus Software
A company’s preparedness is truly tested when device loss happens. One must bear in mind that anything can happen; Theft, data leaks, forgetting your device in a cab, accidentally damaging devices, etc. It is imperative to have backups of critical company data, and efficiently sharing it on multiple devices that are secure. Shockingly enough, The FBI estimates $400 billion of costs on computer crime in the U.S.
It cannot be stressed enough how important it is to always have an encrypted backup copy of your most important data. Another issue which needs to be addressed is protection against spyware, malware, and key loggers. It goes without saying it is a good idea to invest in a proper anti-virus system for offices, followed with scheduled scans and updates. The ever present cyber attacks and malware continue to grow rapidly and Enterprises are a constant target.
2. Using Dated Printers
This is a very common neglect of office tools. Printers can be treacherous if mishandled. When using the printer, workers usually forget to delete remaining information and data in the printer’s storage, depending on the brand of printer. It is very important to always ”keep the slate clean”.
Additionally, firmware updates are almost never turned on and many companies never use the printer’s full potential and efficiency because of slacking, often missing out on useful tools and tricks. Simply put, nobody has time for the printer’s firmware updates. Scheduled updates and routine checks are a must.
3. Ignoring Alerts and Employee Cloud Monitoring
Thinking that most of the office alerts are false positives is also a common mistake that workers just keep on doing. Neglecting to filter out and prioritize security alerts like malware, or updates, can and will inflict damage to a company sooner or later.
Executives should consider having a separate platform for data exclusively focused on cyber attack identification and detection while interactively responding to threats. Social media and cloud services among workers should also be mentioned.
Creating a unique IT infrastructure without adherence to the company’s policy can be potentially dangerous due to unapproved software, slowing down the internet connections, etc. Monitoring these cloud services should be a constant priority.
4. The Importance of Admin Rights
Administrative rights can be dangerous if they fall into wrong hands. The access means potentially unwanted applications and malware gain authority to roam every computer, device and network, potentially infecting everything it reaches. The need to force users to show admin credentials for new software thwarts any potential threats and breaches. It also makes it easier for security analysts to identify problems and tech issues usually triggered by intruding malware.
With the constant influx of new cyberthreats, come even greater IT security teams. The extremely delicate IT issues can greatly threaten the enterprise if they are ignored. And giving away admin rights to anybody is one thing. Forgetting to take away admin rights is also an issue, as it may lead to providing third-party access to various devices like laptops and printers.
5. Insufficient Power Protection
Power outages, spikes, and surges, are a true nightmare, as critical data loss is imminent if workers have not saved their project in time. They can also drastically shorten the lifespan of the company’s devices and other valuable equipment. It is imperative that the business deploy simple power strips or other generators that will avert these unwanted outages. Uninterrupted Power Sources (UPS) offer the user a predetermined time to save their work before having to shutdown the equipment, even in the event of a power outage. The battery backup will allow them to keep working for a period of time.
Bad businesses depend on surge suppressors which are very old and dated, and they stand no chance against thunderstorms and other disasters. It usually results in very costly company damages.
6. Not Standardizing Hardware and Software Compatibility
There is a reason why big companies tend to set their PC service at three to four years. It may seem to you that you are saving money when you set the lifecycle to six years. Nobody is aware of support expenses and compatibility issues with the old equipment.
The failure to standardize the components is always a bad thing, as many workers think that it isn’t not necessary to update your equipment. It often results in absolute chaos; repair costs, slow CPUs, bad troubleshooting, no support, license terms, and the list goes on. Always remember to check the compatibility with old and new equipment, even if it takes time.
CIO Technology Solutions partners with some of the most reliable brands such as HP, Dell, Cisco, Citrix, Apple and more. We can provide your business with the equipment you need to remain updated with not only your networks and software, but your hardware as well.
If you are ready to consider talking with a professional Managed Service Provider, we encourage you to contact us today!
