IT Security Vulnerability: Best Practices to Protect Your Network

It might be challenging to hear, or read, but every network has some level of IT security vulnerability. Fortunately, there are methods you can implement to limit these vulnerabilities and keep your company’s network secure. Continue reading to learn more about the best practices to protect your network and practical approaches to minimize the number of threats attempting to infiltrate your infrastructure.

Maintain Your IT Security Protections

It seems unbelievable, but many businesses do not prioritize their security infrastructure. Although it might sound obvious to make sure your company’s network is highly secure, many businesses find this difficult. A big problem arises when your network infrastructure is missing critical patches and updates. Or worse, the processes to identify those patches are nonexistent. This issue can worsen if end users are not aware of or involved in the best cybersecurity practices to ensure that information is kept private and secure.

Establish Security Standards for All Devices

Many people are unaware that hackers prefer the path of least resistance. In other words, they take the easier route that doesn’t require more work than necessary. If you establish a security standard that all devices must follow, it becomes much more difficult for cybercriminals to bypass every device’s security protocols. By having set controls across desktops, mobile phones, and servers, you can manage many devices at once and minimize risk to the entire company. A mobile device management strategy is an important part of this approach, especially for organizations with remote or hybrid workforces.

Patch Management

Patch management is the process of issuing and applying updates to software to ensure best security practices are implemented. Patches are used to correct errors, commonly known as vulnerabilities or bugs. Areas most likely to require patches include operating systems, various applications, and embedded systems. If a bug is found after a software update is installed, a patch can be applied to fix it, ensuring your assets are protected and harder to compromise. For a deeper look at why keeping up with patches is non-negotiable, see our post on why software patches can’t be back-burnered.

Role-Based Access — and Time-Restricted Exceptions

Access controls to the company’s data and systems should be limited to the select few whose job responsibilities require that special access. According to the NIST principle of least privilege, permissions should be used only when needed and only for a defined period of time. This way, access to data can be managed and controlled to protect the organization’s assets.

Various permissions should be granted to team members based on their role in the company. Allowing permissions based on role and restricting all other access are good security practices that reduce your overall attack surface.

Strengthen Your Defenses with Managed Security

While the practices above lay a strong foundation, staying ahead of evolving threats often requires dedicated support. WheelHouse IT offers managed detection and response services, giving your organization 24/7 visibility and rapid response capabilities. Our team proactively monitors your environment, applies patches, enforces access controls, and helps you build a security posture that scales with your business.

Not sure where your network stands today? A complimentary risk assessment is the fastest way to find out. We’ll identify gaps in your infrastructure and give you a clear, prioritized roadmap to address them before they become incidents.

The team at WheelHouse IT is composed of highly skilled professionals who can assist in maintaining your business operations and ensuring your network remains safe from cybercriminals. Reach out today to learn how we can better protect your company.