Your outsourced IT partner falls short on cybersecurity. How will you secure your data?

1 Assess Risk

To safeguard your data after identifying a cybersecurity weakness, begin by conducting a thorough risk assessment. This involves identifying sensitive data, understanding potential threats, and evaluating the effectiveness of current security measures. Determine what information could be a target for cyberattacks and the impact a breach would have on your operations. This step is crucial in prioritizing the areas that require immediate attention and will guide you in strengthening your cybersecurity defenses.

2 Update Policies

Once risks are assessed, update your security policies immediately. These policies should establish guidelines for data handling, user access, and incident response. Ensure that all employees understand the importance of these policies and are trained to follow them. Strong policies act as a first line of defense by establishing clear protocols for maintaining data security and reacting to potential threats.

3 Secure Networks

Your next action is to secure your networks. This includes implementing firewalls, using encryption for data transmission, and ensuring that wireless networks are protected with strong passwords and the latest security protocols. Regularly updating software and hardware to patch vulnerabilities is also essential. Network security measures will help prevent unauthorized access and protect data integrity.

4 Monitor Systems

Continuous monitoring of your IT systems is vital for early detection of any unusual activity that could indicate a cybersecurity threat. Set up intrusion detection systems and utilize security information and event management (SIEM) tools to track potential security incidents. By keeping a vigilant eye on your systems, you can respond swiftly to any security breaches and mitigate the impact on your data.

5 Data Backups

Regularly backing up your data is a critical step in protecting it from cyber threats. In case of a data breach or ransomware attack, having up-to-date backups ensures that you can restore your information quickly and maintain business continuity. Store backups in a secure location, preferably off-site, and test them regularly to confirm that they can be reliably restored.

6 Partner Review

Finally, re-evaluate your relationship with your IT outsourcing partner. Discuss the security lapses and insist on immediate improvements. If necessary, consider switching to a provider with a stronger cybersecurity track record. Your partner should be capable of protecting your data with the highest security standards, and if they can't, it's time to find one that can.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?