Cyber security has become a non-negotiable aspect of running a successful business. Despite the extensive protection applied to certain areas of IT infrastructure, other sectors are often left vulnerable or neglected. This inconsistency gives rise to weak links in your security chain, creating potential gateways for cybercriminals. These overlooked spots can significantly jeopardize your organization's security, offering an ideal launching pad for malevolent actors.
In this article, we highlight four key areas that IT companies often overlook or undervalue in their cybersecurity strategies. We also share how you can address these vulnerabilities to better protect your organization from cyberattacks.
As organizations increasingly adopt software as a service (SaaS) and cloud computing, third-party applications have become integral to daily business operations.
However, these applications can introduce significant security risks if not appropriately managed. Even if your IT company has implemented cutting-edge security measures for your proprietary software, they may have overlooked the third-party applications your team relies on, which can harbor their own vulnerabilities that are exploitable by cybercriminals. To safeguard against these risks, ensure that your IT company:
Cybersecurity is not solely about technology; it's also about people. Uninformed or careless employees can unknowingly expose your company to significant risks and are often the weakest link in an organization’s security chain. From phishing scams to password reuse, human error is a critical factor in many security breaches.
However, IT companies may forget to provide regular security awareness training to their staff, which can result in inadvertent data leaks or falling victim to phishing attacks.
To mitigate these risks, companies should invest in ongoing training to educate employees about the latest security threats and best practices. Encourage your employees to adopt secure behaviors, like creating complex passwords and being cautious with email attachments. Remember, a well-informed team is your first line of defense against cyber threats.
As IoT devices become more prevalent in the workplace, they also introduce new security risks. These devices can be easily overlooked when it comes to security measures, as they are often not considered traditional IT infrastructure and often lack robust built-in security.
To protect against these threats, companies should regularly assess the security of IoT devices, apply security patches when available, and ensure that they are on a separate network segment from critical systems. This will prevent potential intruders from gaining access to more sensitive parts of your infrastructure.
Finally, let's talk about legacy systems, which require a specialized approach to secure. These are older IT applications or systems that are still in use because they support essential business functions. However, their age often means they lack the advanced security features found in more modern systems, making them a prime target for attackers. Regularly patching these systems, applying security controls where possible, and planning for their eventual modern replacement are critical steps to take.
Don’t let these overlooked areas be your company’s downfall — cyber security is a complex, multi-faceted challenge that requires constant vigilance.
Founded by two former Lockheed Martin Fellows, Ironwood Cyber is a team of seasoned cybersecurity experts with decades of experience protecting our nation's most critical defense weapon systems. Our Ironwood Cyber Rx™ services can help your organization establish processes, user awareness, and provide continuous assessment on your cybersecurity health.
