At BroCoTec, a leading IT and cybersecurity firm based in Houston, we believe that cybersecurity extends beyond mere technical solutions. It forms a vital component of your business’s Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) policy. Your network is a valuable asset, and it should be utilized by your employees based on a mutual understanding of trust and regulation. If your BYOD policy isn’t current, your data could be at risk. Let’s delve into why this is the case and how we can assist you in securing it.
A Year of Increased Breaches
Reflecting on 2023, we saw a significant rise in security breaches. From Business Email Compromise to AI-driven attacks specifically targeting small businesses in Texas and Oklahoma (particularly emergency rooms), the past year served as a stark reminder. Even seemingly minor actions, such as applying patches or updating policies, can greatly enhance your infrastructure’s security.
The Vulnerability of Small Businesses
Many small and medium businesses (SMBs) believe that cybercriminals only target large corporations, as these are the stories that typically make headlines. However, small businesses are targeted nearly half the time, and a single breach can cost an average of $1 million. Cybercriminals understand that smaller companies often lack the necessary resources to defend against breaches. This includes a BYOD policy.
The Role of BYOD Policies
With many people still working from home, their devices become prime targets for hackers. Consider this: an employee who opts to use their own device over your issued hardware can inadvertently expose your system to risks. Anything they search on that device becomes part of your system, especially when they connect to your data via login credentials. A single risky search by an employee on their home device can potentially give a hacker access to your entire system.
Enhancing Security in Your BYOD Policies
Here are some actionable steps to enhance your BYOD policies:
- Assess Risks: Understand the potential risks associated with allowing employees to use their own devices for work. These risks include lost devices, unsecured networks, lack of technical support, mixing personal and business functions, loss of control over company data, and malware threats.
- Utilize an Acceptable Use Policy: Ensure your business already has an Acceptable Use Policy (AUP) in place. Include your BYOD policy within the AUP. Employees should sign an acknowledgment and receipt of this policy, and it should be easily accessible according to business protocols.
- Keep Software and Applications Updated: Regularly check and perform updates for various systems and applications. This includes operating systems, productivity software (e.g., Microsoft Office), accounting and customer management tools (e.g., Quickbooks, Sage, Salesforce), custom applications, industry-specific software, web browsers, plugins (e.g., Adobe Flash, Java), and website content management systems (e.g., WordPress, Joomla, Magento, Drupal).
By following these steps, you’ll strengthen your BYOD security and protect your valuable data. Remember, staying proactive is key to safeguarding your business.
The Importance of Software and Hardware Updates
Ignoring software update notifications can leave your computer and network vulnerable, allowing cybercriminals to cause significant damage. Software updates often include critical patches to security holes that hackers exploit to infect your systems and steal valuable data.
Software updates should be checked and performed at least once a month for various systems and applications. If you need further assistance, give us a call! BroCoTec’s Secure Managed IT Services include automated patching. Our monthly and quarterly audits help find vulnerabilities within your network so they can be addressed before a data breach occurs.
Don’t Forget Your Other Hardware!
Applying software updates to your PCs, laptops, servers, and other IT hardware devices, such as switches, firewalls, routers, and access points like printers, is crucial. Once equipment is deemed end-of-life (EOL), the manufacturers no longer support or maintain them, which can lead to security risks. That’s why we recommend companies budget for replacing IT equipment before they reach their end-of-life.
Launching Your BYOD Policy
After assessing the risks and benefits of a BYOD solution, your company will need the help of a mobile device management vendor to implement the plan. Contact BroCoTec, Texas’s fastest-growing IT solutions company, to get started with your BYOD solution today. It’s that easy!
