What is unauthorised access? Well, it’s simply someone accessing your network and data that doesn’t have permission. This could be a hacker or cybercriminal, or it could even be a disgruntled employee. It isn’t just the access that’s the issue, it’s what they do with the information that they can access. They could steal money, sell your customer’s information, or wipe all of your data.
Here are five ways to prevent unauthorised access to your network:
Strong passwords & MFA
A really simple way for a malicious actor to gain access to a network is with a password, especially if it’s weak. Using a password such as “password1” makes it really easy for someone access an account, as it’s so common and guessable. Make sure you’ve got a strong password by using the three random word technique, or store a complex mix of letters, numbers, and symbols in a password manager. Both methods create strong passwords that you’re much less likely to reuse across other sites.
MFA – multi-factor authentication – adds an additional layer of security on top of your password. MFA includes two or more factors of security, either something you know (password/PIN/security question), something you have (smartphone/hardware token), or something you are (fingerprint/facial recognition). By using MFA, even if someone manages to guess your complex password, they won’t be able to access your data as they’ll have to have your smartphone or face ID, for example.
Software Updates & Patches
Software updates need to be actioned as soon as they’re available, to ensure your security is at top capacity. Patches, which are fixes to software and systems, need to carried out straight away, as they can leave software open to malicious actors.
Set up automatic software updates so you don’t need to worry about manually updating your software and integrate patch management into your IT support strategy to keep on top of things.
Security Awareness Training
According to a report by IBM, human error was a contributing factor in approximately 95% of cyber security incidents in 2021. Cybersecurity awareness training is a great way of educating your employees and improving your cybersecurity stance. By cultivating a security mindset amongst your employees, you increase phishing awareness, address potential security vulnerabilities, and are more prepared for a security incident.
Endpoint Protection
Endpoint protection provides multiple layers of defence against various threats. It includes antivirus software, firewalls, intrusion detection systems, and behavioural monitoring, ensuring comprehensive protection against cyberattacks. Unprotected endpoints pose a significant risk to businesses, as one unprotected device could be the gateway to your whole company’s data. An endpoint protection package such as Watchguard’s EDPR keeps all of your endpoint secure.
Access Management Policies & Zero-trust
Unauthorised access doesn’t need to be from a 3rd party malicious actor. Insider threats are also a form of unauthorised access, even if the threat is an employee or partner. Access management is the key to minimising insider threats, as well as a zero-trust approach. Essentially, you should use the principle of least privilege, and ensure that employees only have the access necessary to perform their jobs. There’s no need for employees to have access to tools, information, or software that they won’t use.
No individual or company wants a malicious actor to access their data. There are multiple ways to keep unauthorised personnel out of your network, but the most secure approach is to layer all these solutions. That way, if one security method fails, you’ve got several other procedures in place to minimise the impact.
