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- The Importance of Cyber Hygiene
The Importance of Cyber Hygiene
In today's technology-driven world, where everyday work and data management rely heavily on computer networks, an organization's cyber hygiene is a very important part of its overall information security policy. Cyber hygiene refers to well-practiced daily activities and constant vigilance aimed at protecting and preserving an organization's information assets. Poor cyber hygiene can put data at risk. To prevent attacks such as phishing, ransomware, or denial-of-service attacks that can paralyze an organization’s operations, employees must be continuously trained to recognize and avoid these threats.
Data breaches or security incidents damage a company's reputation and may lead to the loss of customers, not to mention GDPR requirements, which can result in very significant fines. There is also, of course, the time and effort required to restore systems after they have been attacked.
Employee cyber hygiene is one of the simplest preventive measures that helps significantly reduce information security risks. Good cyber hygiene within an organization increases employee productivity, as less time is spent resolving security issues, and ensures that the organization's information assets and systems are protected.
How to ensure strong cyber hygiene in an organization?
- Strong password policy. Use strong passwords that consist of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols. Update passwords regularly and implement multi-factor authentication (MFA) whenever possible.
- Software updates. Keep all software used within the organization up to date to avoid known vulnerabilities. If possible, use automatic updates.
- Data backups. Back up data regularly and store it securely. Whenever possible, use the 3-2-1 principle: three copies, in two different locations, with one in the cloud. It is also advisable to periodically test whether backups are functional and whether the recovery process works.
- Training and general awareness. Train employees to recognize various phishing attempts, malware, and other common threats. Awareness should also cover actions ranging from incident response to situation analysis.
- Use of security software. Use antivirus software and firewalls. Periodically monitor network traffic and devices to detect malicious activity.
- Access control. Restrict access to sensitive information only to employees who truly need it. Use role-based access controls.
- Wi-Fi security. Use encrypted networks and avoid processing sensitive data on public Wi-Fi networks.
Cyber hygiene is not only the responsibility of the IT department — it is a shared responsibility of the entire organization. Continuous awareness-raising, the implementation of security measures, and adherence to preventive practices ensure that an organization can withstand modern cyber threats.
Good cyber hygiene demonstrates to customers that the organization takes the protection of their data seriously.
