There is no doubt that cyber security is a critical issue for businesses of all sizes. Data breaches have an annual average cost of $4.24 million. With the costs and risks of data breaches on the rise, it’s more important than ever for companies to take steps to protect business information.
In order to protect your company’s data, you need to be aware of the most common cyber security threats and take the necessary precautions to mitigate the risks.
This 25-point elite cyber security awareness checklist will help you assess your company’s vulnerability to cyberattacks and take the necessary steps to keep your business data safe.
Table of Contents
Privacy Program
01. Plotting IT Security and Privacy Policy
Plot your security awareness program around a well-defined IT security and privacy policies. These should be reviewed and updated on a regular basis.
Security Awareness Program
The first line of vulnerability is your organization’s employees. Security awareness must be part of your organization’s cyber security culture in order for it to be effective. Educate your employees on the importance of cyber security and the dangers of phishing, social engineering, and other cyber threats.
02. Conducting Cyber Security Awareness Training
Ensure that your employees are properly trained in security awareness and understand the importance of cyber security.
03. Running Simulated Phishing Campaign
Test your employees’ ability to identify phishing emails with simulated phishing campaigns.
04. Implementing Cyber-Physical Systems (CPS) Security
Implement security measures to protect your company’s critical infrastructure from cyber-attacks.
Identity and Access Management
This cyber security checklist outlines how to provide a fine-grained management policy to access company data and systems.
05. Creating Solutions for Unified Identity Management
Achieve a single view of the user across all systems with unified identity management.
06. Providing Seamless User Experience
Make it easy for users to access the data and systems they need with a seamless user experience. Implement role-based access control to give users a specific access level that will enable them to do their job.
07. Hardening Security with Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)
Ensure that your organization uses MFA for all remote access. This will help protect against unauthorized access to your network.
Endpoints Policy
Implement an EDR solution policy to detect and respond to security incidents. This will help you quickly identify and mitigate any threats to your network.
08. Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR)
Develop a plan that includes an EDR solution to discover and address security breaches. This will assist you in swiftly identifying and minimizing any threats to your network.
09. Mobile Device Management (MDM)
Put an MDM solution in place to manage and secure mobile devices. This will help you keep your data safe and secure, even if a device is lost or stolen.
10. Data Loss Prevention (DLP), Data Classification, and Labelling Strategy
Implement a DLP solution to prevent data loss and theft. This will help you keep your data safe and secure.
Networks
The cyber security points below will help you secure your network and prevent unauthorized access.
11. Network Segmentation
Implement network segmentation to isolate critical systems and data from the rest of the network. This will help you limit the damage if there is a security breach.
12. Cloud Network Protection
Protect your data in the cloud with a robust security solution. Keeping your data safe and secure will be easier if you use encryption.
13. Encrypt All Network Traffic
Encrypt all network traffic to and from your company’s systems. This will help you protect your data from being intercepted by unauthorized individuals.
14. Virtual Private Network (VPN)
Implement a VPN solution to secure remote access to your network. This will help keep your data safe and secure, even when employees are working remotely.
15. Secure WiFi/Wireless Networking Access
Make sure that your WiFi network is secure and that only authorized individuals have access to it. This will help you prevent data breaches and protect your company’s confidential information.
16. Implement Perimeter Security
Implement perimeter security measures, such as firewalls and intrusion detection or prevention systems, to protect your network from unauthorized access.
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25- Point Elite Cyber Security Checklist
Tools Management
This cyber security checklist are essential for any organization looking to improve its cyber security posture.
17. Use Secure Email Gateway (SEG)
Implement an SEG to protect your email from spam and malware. This will help prevent malicious emails from reaching your employees’ inboxes.
18. Configure Backup Solution
Configure a backup solution to protect your data from being lost in the event of a disaster. This will help ensure that you can recover your data if it is deleted or corrupted.
19. Privilege Access Management (PAM)
PAM will help you control who has access to what data and systems. This will help you prevent unauthorized access and data breaches.
20. Implement a Security Information and Event Management (SIEM)
Implement a SIEM solution to collect and analyze security data. This will help you identify any threats in your network.
System Hardening Program
The points below are key when configuring a system hardening program in order to improve your cyber security posture.
21. Device a Patch Management Plan
Develop a patch management plan and implement it regularly. This will aid in the maintenance of your systems and security.
22. Establish a Vulnerability Management Program
Set up a program to manage vulnerabilities. This will help you keep track and mitigate all the potential risks in your network.
Incident Response Plan
In 2021, roughly around 80% of organizations in the United States do not have a cyber security incident response plan. Hence, you also need to develop a plan for responding to security incidents.
Once you’ve covered most of the cyber security items listed above, you should have a pretty good idea of what needs to be done in order to keep your organization’s data safe.
23. Create an Incident Response Plan
Develop a plan on how you will respond to security incidents. This will help you quickly and effectively address any threats in your network.
24. Create Step-by-step Incident Response Procedures
Create step-by-step procedures for responding to security incidents. This will help ensure that everyone knows what to do in the event of an incident.
25. Cascade Information on Incident Response Roles and Responsibilities
Make sure everyone knows their roles and responsibilities in the event of an incident. This will help ensure that everyone is aware of their part in the response.
Consult a Managed Services IT Provider
If you’re not sure how to implement some of the measures outlined in this cyber security checklist, or if you just don’t have time to do it yourself, you might want to consider consulting a Managed IT Services provider.
At ArisAlex, we can help you with all aspects of cyber security, from vulnerability management to incident response. We can also provide you with the latest information and resources on cyber security threats and trends.
Remember, data is one of the most valuable assets of any organization, so it’s important to take this cybersecurity essentials checklist to protect it. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you keep your organization’s data safe!