December 2013 IT Business Consulting Newsletter

2013 End of Year Security Summary

By Tom K

Once again, it’s time for the traditional annual security refresher!

The bad guys will ALWAYS be trying to get you…

So please, help protect your company by taking a few moments to review the updated security essentials that I highlight in this month’s newsletter:


This Year’s Topics:

• Protect Your Mobile Identity and Your Mobile Devices
See Protect Your Mobile Identity & Secure Your Mobil Devices

• The Dangers of Remote Access
See Hacked via Remote Access!

• If You MUST Provide Wireless Access to Your Business Network
See Provide Wireless Access to Business Systems???

• Unauthorized Devices Accessing Your Network
See An Anti-Virus Gotcha - It could happen to You!


The Seven Commandments of Network Security:

• Centrally managed Corporate Anti Virus Protection
See Protect Your Company from Viruses and Malware with Enterprise Anti Virus Systems

• Centrally managed Windows Updates
See Centrally Manage Microsoft Updates Across Your Enterprise For Free!

• Centrally managed Corporate Spam Protection
See Got Spam? Eradicate Spam and Email Viruses BEFORE they get to Your Environment!

• Use Secure Passwords – don’t make it easy for the bad guys to get in
See Secure Passwords - You need to get this right!

• Have staff lock their PCs when they leave their desks – most attacks come from inside!
See Protect your Company’s Data and Reputation... Lock Your PC!

• If you provide public WiFi, isolate it from your business network
See Securely Implement a Public Wireless Hot Spot

• Deploy a Firewall at every point where your networks connect to the Internet


A few Advanced Topics:

• The departing Employee – turn a security nightmare into a simple inconvenience
See Departing Employee? How to Process them Gracefully and Securely

• Lock down access to your Corporate Bank Accounts – they’re not insured!
See Protect Your Company Bank Accounts

• Educate your staff to Phishing threats – how to spot them, what not to do...
See Don't Be the Big Phish


If you’d like help ensuring your network security is up to snuff, or you have any questions concerning any aspect of Corporate Security, I’d be happy to discuss this with you at your convenience. Feel free to contact me at TomK@TomKConsulting.com, or via my cell 443.310.5110.


Next month, in keeping with the security theme, I’ll discuss the fallacies of “you’re safe when you’re in the cloud!” I’ve been hearing this at the recent trade shows (RezFest, VRMA), and it is truly frightening! Just because some of your services may be hosted off site you are no less vulnerable, and you can’t afford to let your guard down.