Cyber Security: Own IT, Secure IT, Protect IT

Date: 4th October 2019
Speaker: Olly Denhard
Business: IT Trouble Free – IT solutions for small & medium-sized businesses
https://www.ittroublefree.co.uk
Topic: Cyber security

 

“Cyber security is a journey not a destination.”

3 key points

October is the month for ghouls and ghosts (Hallowe’en), so perhaps it’s apt that it’s also Cyber Security month?

Olly outlined some basic housekeeping for our most-oft used electronic devices:

1. Desktop
* Back-up of data – don’t back up to the same device you are transferring from!
* A physical back-up to an external hard disk combined with an automated cloud-based back-up will ensure business continuity
2. Laptop
* Antivirus software – whilst primarily designed to protect computers against viruses, many antivirus programs now protect against other types of malware, such as spyware, adware, and rootkits as well.
* Sophos is a very reputable (free) product which protects both Windows and Mac laptops (yes, Macs are vulnerable to viruses too!)

3. Phone
* Passwords – use 2-factor authentication wherever possible and don’t use the same passwords over and over again.
LastPass saves your passwords and gives you secure access from every computer and mobile device.

 

Conclusion

October is National Cyber Security Awareness Month (NCSAM), “a collaborative effort between government and industry to raise awareness about the importance of cybersecurity.”

In a rare moment of global co-operation, NCSAM is taking place simultaneously across Europe and the USA.

Europe: https://cybersecuritymonth.eu
USA: https://niccs.us-cert.gov/national-cybersecurity-awareness-month-2019

Remember that if you hold any client data on your electronic devices, under GDPR you are legally required to make sure this data is safe and protected.

 

Click here to view Olly’s Cross Reference page.