The role of IT security professionals is to diligently work to reduce the exposure of corporate assets to cybercriminals. These methods range from the simplicity of locking workstations while an employee is away from their desk to utilizing artificial intelligence that interprets Internet traffic anomalies. Following a common-sense approach to information security can significantly reduce the potential for loss due to cybercrime. This short article will focus on two methods to help reduce risk exposure.
Protect your applications
The single most effective method to reduce exposure to cybercrime is to make certain that all applications are up to date. Cybercriminals take advantage of vulnerabilities present in older versions of applications. In a corporate setting, application updates are generally scheduled by system administrators. Although, personally owned mobile device applications also need to be updated as soon as updates are available. The Equifax data breach exposed the name, social security number, date of birth, and home address of 143 million people. The breach occurred because hackers were able to exploit a known vulnerability of an unpatched application.
Protect your endpoints
An endpoint is anything used to run applications or access data. The two most common endpoints are laptops and mobile phones. Not only is it vitally important to take the necessary steps to physically secure your mobile phone and laptop but updating the operating system of endpoints is as important as updating applications. Does everyone know how to bypass the iPhone lock screen passcode? It is fixed in the latest release of the iPhone operating system. Cybercriminals may want access to your mobile device simply to gain access to corporate and personal contacts that they will then use in spam and spear-phishing campaigns against corporate executives.
