In the modern business environment, IT security should never be an afterthought because it is a strategic need. Since you probably use various devices and the Internet daily, keeping your data safe matters more than ever.
Bad actors are always finding new ways to access private information and systems, and the impact is massive. Statista projects that global cybercrime costs will surge by 6.4 trillion dollars between 2024 and 2029.
The good news is that protecting yourself doesn't require complex technical knowledge. Many effective security measures are easy to implement. Your digital safety starts with understanding and implementing these IT security best practices.
Understanding Common IT Security Threats
Before diving into best practices, let's look at the primary threats businesses face today:
Ransomware Attacks: When cybercriminals encrypt your business data and demand payment to unlock it. These attacks increased significantly in 2023, with healthcare organizations facing an average downtime of 18.71 days per attack.
Supply Chain Vulnerabilities: A type of attack where hackers target your business by first breaching your vendors' or suppliers' systems. Over 245,000 software supply chain attacks were detected in 2023 alone.
Social Engineering: These are psychological manipulation tactics where attackers trick employees into revealing sensitive information or access credentials. According to Verizon's data breach investigation report, 74% of breaches involve human elements.
Cloud Security Risks: Security challenges arise when data and applications are stored on cloud platforms instead of local computers. With over 51% of enterprise IT spending shifting to the cloud by 2025, securing cloud infrastructure has become crucial.
Why is IT Security Important?
Modern businesses face unprecedented cybersecurity challenges. Here's why prioritizing IT security matters:
Data Protection: Safeguards sensitive customer information and proprietary business data.
Financial Security: Prevents costly breaches (average cost: $4.88 million per incident in 2024).
Business Continuity: Ensures uninterrupted operations and service delivery.
Reputation Management: Maintains customer trust and brand integrity.
Compliance: Meets regulatory requirements like GDPR, HIPAA, and SOC2.
The Crucial Role of Cybersecurity in Strengthening IT Security
Cybersecurity best practices form the foundation of modern IT security strategies.
As recent research finds IT security becoming a top priority across industries, organizations are adopting comprehensive approaches that include:
Identify and mitigate potential vulnerabilities before attackers can exploit them.
Detect and respond to security incidents in real time, minimizing the impact of a breach.
Ensure robust IT security and compliance with industry regulations and data protection standards.
Build trust with customers and stakeholders by demonstrating a commitment to data security.
Cybersecurity Trends to Watch in 2024
Building on the detailed analysis of cybersecurity trends and predictions, here are the key developments shaping the space:
Trend | Impact |
Zero Trust Architecture | Organizations are moving beyond traditional VPN-only approaches. The U.S. government mandates zero-trust adoption by the end of the 2024 fiscal year. This framework ensures that every access request is fully verified, regardless of its source. |
AI-Powered Security | While AI enhances threat detection and response capabilities, it also introduces new challenges. Gartner warns that generative and third-party AI tools pose significant data confidentiality risks, requiring organizations to implement stronger data protection measures. |
Cloud Security | Gartner projects global public cloud spending to reach $679 billion at the end of 2024, and cloud computing will become a business necessity by 2028. Therefore, organizations are intensifying their focus on securing distributed environments. |
Supply Chain Protection | By 2025, 45% of organizations will face software supply chain attacks, triple the number from 2021. This dramatic increase is driving enhanced vendor risk management practices. |
Remote Work Security | The security perimeter now extends far beyond traditional firewalls and DMZs. With IoT market growth projected to reach $1377 billion by 2029 and the continued prevalence of remote work, organizations must adapt their security strategies to protect an increasingly distributed workforce. |
Building a Security-First Culture
Understanding what cybersecurity means is your first step toward building a security-conscious organization.
Creating this culture requires:
Regular Training: Conduct ongoing cybersecurity awareness programs.
Clear Policies: Establish and communicate security guidelines.
Lead by Example: Management must demonstrate security commitment.
Reward Compliance: Recognize employees who follow security practices.
Open Communication: Encourage reporting of security concerns.
10 Essential IT Security (Cybersecurity) Best Practices for Businesses
Let's explore these tried-and-tested security practices your business needs to implement now:
1. Implement Strong Access Controls
Think of access controls as your digital security guards. They determine who can enter your systems and what they can do once inside.
The cornerstone of this approach is multi-factor authentication (MFA).
To get started, you need to:
Set up MFA for all user accounts
Give employees only the access they need to do their jobs
Review and update access permissions regularly
Remember: Just because someone needed access to a system last year doesn't mean they need it today. Regular reviews help keep your security tight.
2. Create and Enforce Strong Password Policies
Studies show that 81% of data breaches happen because of poor password security.
Here's what your password policy should look like:
Make passwords long and complex – think of a phrase instead of a word. For example, "I love pizza on Fridays!" is much stronger than "Pizza123."
Your policy should require:
At least 12 characters
A mix of numbers, symbols, and letters
Regular password changes every 90 days
Pro tip: Use a password manager to help your team manage complex passwords without writing them down.
3. Keep Your Systems Updated
System updates aren't just about new features – they're your shield against known security threats. When software companies discover security holes, they release patches to fix them.
Here's a simple approach:
Turn on automatic updates where possible
Set aside time each month for manual updates
Keep an inventory of all your software to ensure nothing gets missed
Consider scheduling updates during off-hours to avoid disrupting your workday.
4. Protect Your Data with Encryption
Encryption turns your sensitive data into a code that only authorized people can unlock.
You need encryption in two main areas:
Data at rest (stored on computers or servers)
Data in transit (being sent over networks)
Modern encryption uses complex mathematics to protect your data. While you don't need to understand the math, you do need to ensure you're using current standards like AES-256 encryption.
5. Back Up Your Data Regularly
Data backups are your safety net. If something goes wrong – whether it's a hardware failure, ransomware attack, or human error – backups help you get back up and running quickly.
Follow the 3-2-1 rule for foolproof backup:
Keep 3 copies of your data
Store them on 2 different types of storage
Keep 1 copy off-site
Regular testing is crucial. There's nothing worse than discovering your backup doesn't work when you need it most.
6. Secure Your Network
Building a secure network begins with these foundational steps:
Set up strong firewalls to filter traffic
Segment your network to contain potential breaches
Monitor network activity for suspicious behavior
7. Train Your Team
Your employees are both your greatest asset and potentially your biggest security risk. Regular training turns them from a vulnerability into your first line of defense.
Make training effective by:
Creating real-world scenarios your team can relate to
Running simulated phishing tests to keep everyone alert
Celebrating security wins and learning from mistakes
Good security habits take time to develop. Make training an ongoing process, not a one-time event.
8. Plan for Security Incidents
Even with perfect security, incidents can happen.
Your incident response plan should:
Define what constitutes a security incident
Establish clear roles and responsibilities
Include step-by-step response procedures
Set up communication channels
Test your plan regularly through tabletop exercises and update it based on lessons learned.
9. Manage Third-Party Risks
Your security is only as strong as your weakest link, which often includes your vendors and partners.
Remember the Target breach? It happened through an HVAC vendor's access.
To manage third-party risks:
Assess vendor security before signing contracts
Monitor vendor access to your systems
Regularly review vendor security practices
Don't be afraid to ask tough questions about how your partners protect your data.
10. Stay Compliant with Security Standards
Compliance isn't just about checking boxes – it's about maintaining a consistent security approach.
Different industries have different requirements, from HIPAA in healthcare to PCI DSS for payment processing.
Stay on top of compliance by:
Understanding which regulations apply to you
Regular self-audits
Documenting your security practices
Keeping up with changing requirements
Pro tip: Use compliance requirements as a minimum baseline, not your end goal. Often, you'll want to go beyond the basics to truly protect your business.
Key Benefits of Strengthening Organizational Cybersecurity
Implementing best practices for cybersecurity delivers numerous advantages:
Reduced Risk: Minimize potential security incidents and compliance risks.
Cost Savings: Prevent expensive breaches and downtime.
Improved Efficiency: Streamlined security processes.
Enhanced Trust: Better stakeholder confidence.
Competitive Advantage: Distinguished security posture.
Enhance Your IT Security Infrastructure with Splashtop
In today's hybrid work environment, securing remote access is essential for maintaining IT security.
Splashtop Enterprise offers a comprehensive solution that combines secure remote access with advanced security features:
Enterprise-Grade Security: Protect your data with TLS and 256-bit AES encryption, plus mandatory device authentication and optional two-factor verification.
Comprehensive Access Management: Control user permissions with granular access controls and scheduled access windows.
Multi-Platform Support: Enable secure access across Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, and Chromebook devices.
Compliance Ready: Meet industry standards with SOC2, GDPR, and HIPAA compliance support.
Advanced Monitoring: Track all remote sessions with detailed audit logs and optional session recording.
For IT teams, Splashtop includes additional security features like endpoint management, service desk integration, and comprehensive monitoring tools.
Get started to see how Splashtop can help you implement a secure, scalable remote access solution that meets your business needs.
Additionally, Splashtop Secure Workspace (SSW) offers a unified, frictionless, simplified zero-trust security solution. Protecting privileged accounts and securing third-party access helps you address modern security challenges while maintaining operational efficiency.
Sign up now to explore SSW's features and see how it can help safeguard your business.
