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Maintaining the information security of an organization has become a necessity in the present times. Though identifying and patching potential vulnerabilities is important, it may not always be possible to completely shield your network against hacking attacks. Therefore, it is essential to formulate a strategic vulnerability management program to strengthen your IT security system. It will not only help to detect the risks, but also identify the most viable way to understand and mitigate them.

Given below are some of the steps that you need to take for better vulnerability management:

Identify Your IT Assets

Though this may sound quite obvious, it is really important to identify and keep a track of your IT assets in order to adequately protect them against attacks. Cloud computing technologies and adoption of mobile devices have expanded the boundaries of an organizations’ IT infrastructure. To deal with this problem effectively, IT professionals must create an inventory of all the computer systems and applications that have access to the corporate network. You can even use some cloud based tools to streamline the process and automatically record all the internal as well as external IT assets.

Understand The Risk

Vulnerabilities can exist in any layer of the network. Hence, an in-depth scanning is critical to understand what all systems are at risk and the level of risk they pose for the company, in the event of a data breach. Conduct an external penetration test as well as internal application scan to identify all the potential threats to the network. Prioritize the vulnerabilities according to their severity so that you can focus on rectifying the more critical risks first. Set exceptions on the level of risk that you can accept and manage at a later point of time.

Identify Which Controls Are Already In Place

Take a note of the security measures that have already been deployed in your organization. These may include firewall, intrusion detection and prevention system (IDPS), data encryption, virtual private network (VPN), data loss prevention etc. Identify the efficiency of these systems to protect your confidential data and other IT resources. This will also give you an idea of the threats that are not being managed and require the use of more sophisticated security software.

Centex Technologies is a leading IT security company serving business firms in Dallas, TX. For more information, you can call us at (972) 375 – 9654.

Over the years, the Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) policy has become an accepted norm in organizations across the globe. Employees are continuously using their smartphones to access company’s network, download important files and share sensitive data for collaborative projects. However, a number or organizations are still looking for ways to implement a strong BYOD policy, which increases employee productivity and eliminates any potential security risks.

Tips for implementing BYOD in your organization:

Specify Which Devices Are Permitted

Firstly, you need to set clear policies regarding the devices that are allowed to be used for work. Depending upon the network settings and security measures, you should decide the devices that will be supported. For instance, most organizations permit the use of only iOS devices due to their advanced security software and privacy-enhancing features.

Establish Strict Security Policies

Before allowing the employees to bring their own device, make sure you mandate a strong password policy. Ask the employees to lock their device using complex log in credentials and change it at frequent intervals. This will prevent unauthorized access to the official accounts and sensitive information, even if the device is lost or stolen. You can also require two-factor authentication for employees who access company’s financial details or client information on their mobile device.

Install Mobile Security Software

You cannot have complete control over the type of information an employee accesses through his smartphone. Malicious file downloads and spam websites can install malware on the device which may jeopardize the security of files stored in it. Therefore, you should make it mandatory for them to install an anti-virus software and run frequent scans to detect as well as remove any potentially dangerous application. You can even choose a security software that offers additional features, such as device tracking and remote wipe.

Decide The Apps That Will Be Allowed

This applies to all the devices that connect to the corporate network, be it your organization’s computer system or the employee’s personal smartphone. You should restrict the use of social networking applications, games, remote desktop access, VPN and other software that may pose a threat to the company. You can also block downloading of applications from third party sources.

For more tips on successfully implementing BYOD policy in your organization, feel free to contact Centex Technologies at (972) 375 – 9654.