The Most Common IT Security Threats in The Workplace

The Most Common IT Security Threats in The Workplace

IT security breaches are big news, often because the cost of these breaches and the data put at risk is significant. The average cost of a data breach for an Australian company is sitting at an astonishing US$2.3 million, and this number is increasing each year. These threats come from inside and outside the workplace, targeting every sector and organisations of every size. It’s essential for each and every organisation to understand where the biggest vulnerabilities lie and how to effectively protect their data and their brand. Here are some of the most common IT security threats to be aware of.

Unhappy Employees

 Regardless of their motivation, a disgruntled employee is one of the biggest threats to your organisation’s IT security. That’s because even if you have a state-of-the-art IT security system in place, these employees often have the means to access sensitive data as part of their role in your organisation. Disgruntled employees can quickly and easily access networks, data centres, admin accounts and records if they have the right permissions, causing serious damage.

For this reason, IT security policies have to include protocols for immediately identifying and cutting off access to critical network and data points in the event that an employee is dismissed, as well as actively tracking and monitoring access to privileged data and accounts, sending out alerts when suspicious activity is taking place.

Uninformed Employees

Unintentional data breaches can be just as damaging as intentional ones – and in some cases, they can be worse. Weak passwords, carelessness with work or BYOD mobile device and poor security awareness are some of the easiest ways for malicious software to enter your organisation’s network.

It’s essential to train all workers on cyber security best practices, at every level of the organisation. Each employee should be aware of how to best protect themselves online (avoiding suspicious links/emails, creating strong passwords and not downloading unknown email attachments are just a few), how to use a BYOD effectively and safely at work, and what to do if they feel that their computer or mobile device has been compromised.

Employees should be fully supported by the organisation and given comprehensive communication and resources in order to protect themselves and your organisation’s data.

No Clear IT Security Policy

Your IT security policy is the go-to resource for what to do and what not to do in order to mitigate threats. A comprehensive policy should cover what to teach employees, who to talk to in the event of a breach/suspected breach, and how employees should handle IT security from their end. It should also focus on how to manage BYOD, establish cybersecurity governance, and include detection technology for a rapid response in the face of a threat.

Bring Your Own Device and Remote Working

We’re living in an age of unprecedented connectivity, allowing businesses all the advantages of flexible working on-the-go. But with these advantages come additional IT security threats.

Many people use their own devices (BYOD) in the workplace for work functions, downloading and accessing data and sensitive information that can become compromised if their own device lacks the same level of security that their work device has. Other employees may work from home and log into your network remotely, which means that if their home computer is compromised, it can become a gateway into your organisation’s secure network.

The benefits of BYOD and remote working far outweigh the potential costs, but only if the right IT security policies are in place and your network is actively monitored for breaches and threats.

Cloud Applications

As businesses in all sectors embrace digitization, there’s a huge drive to move organisational data off-site to a cloud-based solution. The cloud offers considerable advantages over traditional on-site or physical data storage, from significantly increased capacity and cost-effectiveness to easy accessibility and collaboration.

With organisations relying so heavily on data as well as storing an even greater volume of sensitive and personal information, cloud security is critical. A breach here can devastate an organisation and compromise its clients, so it is essential to have an IT security partner that works to ensure your data is properly encrypted and secured from internal and external threats.

No Disaster Recovery Plan

Even with the most advanced, state-of-the-art IT security policy, there is no way to 100% guarantee your organisation’s data is safe from threats. In addition to constantly monitoring, evaluating and updating your organisation’s IT security, it is critical to have a disaster recovery plan in place. This ensures that should a breach take place and data is wiped, corrupted or held for ransom;a disaster recovery plan means that you have a secure backup in place to minimise losses. A disaster recovery plan is no substitute for an IT security policy – instead, it is a partner solution that enables your business to respond quickly and recover as fast as possible, minimising damage and downtime.

Professional IT Security Services for Every Business

Otto IT is a managed IT services provider with an extensive track record for success and client satisfaction. In order to keep ahead of IT security threats, we’re always looking for new and innovative solutions for our clients that keep their data, clients and reputation safe.

As part of our service, we don’t just recommend products and solutions – we work to understand your business and provide 100% coverage on all IT-related services, from IT security and data management to VoIP, cloud services and international support.Contact us today to see how we can help you.