As the year winds down and twinkly lights appear in every high street, it is easy to get swept up in mince pies, office parties and the annual discussion about whether Die Hard counts as a Christmas film. It does.
But cyber criminals do not take holidays, so we are here with the 12 Days of E2 to help keep your business as secure as Father Christmas’s naughty list.
Day 1. Asset Protection
On the first day of e2, our technicians gave to you…
A clear plan for protecting every laptop, server and important device. Think of your assets as the presents under the tree. You would never leave them unlabelled or sitting out in the open. A proper asset inventory and sensible device management help ensure you always know what you have and who is using it.
Day 2. Cyber Defence
Cyber threats do not rest for winter. A strong cyber defence works like a digital snow plough, clearing problems before they become disasters. Firewalls, monitoring and protective controls form the steady shield that keeps trouble out.
Day 3. Best Practices
Many breaches begin with someone ignoring simple good practice. A bit like burning the Christmas roast, it is easily avoided. Sensible password habits, careful data handling, clear permissions and safe Wi Fi use all help keep everything running smoothly.
Day 4. Proactive Security
Waiting until something goes wrong before acting is a bit like waiting for your boiler to break down on Christmas Eve. Proactive security means regular checks, updates and monitoring so your systems stay warm and reliable all year round.
Day 5. Remote Security
Five secure connections
With hybrid working firmly established, your remote staff need proper protection. Whether they are at home, in a cafe or working from a garden centre, secure devices, trusted networks and controlled access keep your business safe wherever your team happens to be.
Day 6. Data Backups
Backups are the dependable heroes of the technology world. Quiet, reliable and always there when something else fails. Regular automated backups, off site copies and routine restore tests give you a safety net if data disappears faster than the last sweet in the selection box.
Day 7. Phishing Awareness
Phishing emails can look very convincing. Always remember that HMRC is not sending festive refunds and Amazon is not giving away free mobile phones for Christmas. Awareness training helps your staff recognise suspicious messages before they click something that spoils everyone’s holiday cheer.
Day 8. MFA Security
Multi Factor Authentication is the digital version of checking twice before letting someone come down your chimney. Even if a password slips out into the wild, MFA makes sure the right person is the one gaining access. Simple and extremely effective.
Day 9. Network Security
Your network carries all your important data. If the network is not secure, everything else becomes vulnerable. Regular monitoring, good segmentation, secure communication and dependable hardware keep your data flowing safely from point to point.
Day 10. Security Patches
Delaying updates is the technology equivalent of leaving fairy lights plugged in all night. Not a good idea. Software patches close the gaps that criminals love to exploit. Keeping everything updated helps you sleep as soundly as after a large Christmas dinner.
Day 11. Incident Response
Even the best protections cannot stop every incident. A clear response plan helps you avoid the chaos of suddenly realising you forgot to buy the crackers. Knowing who does what, who communicates with whom and how recovery happens allows you to get back to normal quickly.
Day 12. Internet Security
Safe browsing, sensible filtering, encrypted traffic and general awareness tie together your wider security strategy. The internet is full of wonderful things and also a few things you should avoid as firmly as last year’s overcooked Brussels sprouts.
Merry Christmas from E2 Technology Solutions
Security does not need to be frightening. With these twelve helpful reminders, your business can enjoy the festive season confident that your technology is protected, your staff are informed, and your data is wrapped up more securely than the presents of someone who takes wrapping extremely seriously.