The Top 10 Strategies to Safeguard End Users Against Cyber Threats

 

"Guarding your Team: The Top 10 Strategies to Safeguard End Users Against Cyber Threats


Enhancing security at the end-user level is critical to protect a company's digital assets. Here are ten ways companies can increase security at the end-user level:

1.    Security Awareness Training: Provide regular security awareness training to educate employees about common threats, phishing, and best practices for safe online behavior. Depending on the company security posture, training should be conducted annually or semi-annually, during onboarding, and after a security incident.

      2.    Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA): Enforce MFA for accessing sensitive systems and accounts, adding an extra layer of security beyond passwords.  It is best practice to use different authentications methods including passwords (something you know), smart cards (something you have), and biometric authentication (something you are).

 3.    Regular Software Updates: Ensure that all software, including operating systems and applications, is kept up to date with the latest security patches to address vulnerabilities. 

 4.    Strong Password Policies: Implement and enforce strong password policies, including regular password changes and complexity requirements.  For optimal security, passwords should be at least 15 characters long.  Additionally, requiring that end users are using a password vault, like NordPass or Keeper, will decrease the likelihood of end users writing their passwords down on keeping them stored unencrypted.

 5.    Endpoint Protection: Install and maintain endpoint security software, such as antivirus and anti-malware solutions, on all devices.

 6.    Access Control: Limit user access to only the resources and data necessary for their roles, always following the principle of least privilege.  A strong policy around access control is crucial to prevent privilege creep, where an employee has an accumulation of role access. 

 7.    Email Filtering: Use email filtering and scanning solutions to block malicious attachments and links in emails, reducing the risk of phishing attacks. Using email filtering software such as Mimecast can significantly avoid unsolicited emails from landing in your employee’s inbox.

 8.    Data Encryption: Encrypt sensitive data, both in transit and at rest, to protect it from unauthorized access.  Something as simple as restricting end users from accessing HTTP sites can drastically reduce the likelihood of users encountering security issues, leading to a decrease in support requests for cleanup related to malware or security incidents.

 9.    Remote Work Policies: Establish and enforce remote work security policies, including secure VPN connections and secure home network practices. 

 10.  Incident Response Plan: Develop and communicate an incident response plan, ensuring that employees know what to do in case of a security incident, and conduct regular drills.

These measures collectively contribute to a strong security posture at the end-user level, reducing the risk of security breaches and data compromises.

 

 

-- Tionna Bronaugh

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