Did you know that 95% of security breaches are a result of human error? This means that a solid network security design and planning can significantly reduce some of the potential security breaches in your business.
With the rise of cybercrimes, network security is one of the most important functions of IT. Therefore, while setting up your system, you should be thorough and keen enough so that you do not overlook some practices that can help you have a secure network.
Here are some flaws and simple mistakes in your network security that you should watch out for to ensure that you stay safe.
1. Failing to Test Your Security
One of the first flaws that are ignored during the design process is failing to test how good your security measure is. Even the best systems can be vulnerable in one way or the other. Therefore, it is important to conduct vulnerability testing to know how strong or weak your security measures are.
Security threats are constantly evolving, and the security system you have in place should be able to evolve too. The best way to do this is to reevaluate your security needs regularly.
Do not set up your system and forget about it. Work with professionals that can help you carry out various types of vulnerability testing.
2. Weak Authentication
Many people use weak or easy to remember passwords. They can use their birthdates, spouse’s names, numbers from one to four, or even just the word password. This is a bad practice that provides hackers with an easy way of accessing your system and network.
To ensure better security, use complex, strong passwords for every entry point into your systems. Do not use the same password. Ensure that the password is long enough and has a combination of numbers, symbols, special characters, capital, and small letters.
Passwords are a very good form of security to have. However, weak passwords are easily hacked. Remember, if possible, change your passwords with time.
3. Ineffective Backup Strategies
Businesses fail to have satisfactory backups for their crucial data. You can lose data through stolen devices, computer crashes, virus infection, physical damages to the devices, lost devices, natural disasters, or more.
When something unexpected happens to your network system or devices, the first thing that comes to mind is your data. Failing to have an adequate backup for your data is another flaw that many businesses overlook.
To avoid this, have a proper backup system for your data. Investing in a third-party system that you can trust will come in handy when you need it.
4. Failing to Use Encryption
If you have not considered encryption as a good option for data security, then you have a flaw in your network security design that might end up costing you a lot. Many people fail to use encryption because they think it is a hindrance to productivity, or it is too tough to implement and maintain.
Failing to encrypt your files and your data leaves you vulnerable to cyberattack. Many businesses lose a lot of money to cyberattacks, do not allow yourself to be part of this list when you can avoid it.
5. Depending on Users to Install Updates
Another common mistake that many people make is depending on the users to deploy security updates and patches. Several network deployments use WSUS to patch network stations. These deployments rely on the user to click and install the latest updates recommended.
The challenge here is that users know that they will need to reboot the machines to install the updates successfully. To avoid this, they put off these updates indefinitely, and such acts compromise security.
6. Lack of Knowledge of Security Standards
In many organizations, users are never aware of how important security measures are and the significance of such measures. They are not aware of any loopholes in the system or threats. In other cases, IT experts fail to define or communicate security measures.
Hackers take advantage of this and will always try to tamper with the network security using several tactics. To avoid this, organizations should educate all users on the security measures and also train them on how to identify a threat or a loophole.
7. Using Self-Signed Certificates
Completely neglecting how important SSL encryption is to your business is a mistake that you should not make. Microsoft includes self-signed certificates with some of its products. This way, companies can be able to use web interfaces with SSL encryption even if they have not yet acquired their certificates.
While these certificates are better than having nothing at all, they do not offer what a valid SSL certificate from a trusted authority would. Their main intent is to help boost security until such a time that an administrator can secure it properly.
8. Relying Mainly on Traditional Practices
Relying so much on traditional practices like antivirus software, firewalls, and other tools for securing information is not the best way to secure your data in the present age. This is mainly because these practices do not offer enough security to mitigate attacks anymore.
These practices leave a loophole in our network because technology has evolved so much, rendering them rather easy to hack. To ensure safety, invest in regular hardware upgrades and an excellent multi-layered security system for your network.
You should also consider consulting a cybersecurity professional to help develop an all-inclusive security strategy that has both traditional and modern practices. When coming up with a secure network architecture diagram, IT experts should ensure that it includes all users, so that they can have the right template to work with.
Deal With All Flaws and Loopholes to Have a Reliable Network Security Design
Cybercrime is a real threat that organizations have to deal with. This means a reliable network security design is very vital to have. Ignoring flaws and loopholes in our security network might cost your business so much. To be safe from hackers and other cyberattacks, have a rock-solid secure system.
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