At [Company Name], safeguarding our data and intellectual property (IP) is crucial for maintaining business integrity and protecting sensitive information. This one-pager outlines key policies, procedures, and tips to help you ensure the security of our company’s assets.
General Policies and Procedures
- Use Strong, Unique Passwords
- Always use a combination of letters, numbers, and symbols for your passwords.
- Enable two-factor authentication (2FA) wherever possible.
- Never share your passwords, and change them regularly.
- Secure Your Devices
- Lock your computer and mobile devices when unattended.
- Use company-approved software and ensure it is regularly updated.
- Only connect to secure Wi-Fi networks and avoid public, unsecured connections.
- Encrypt Sensitive Data
- Use encryption tools when handling sensitive files, both in transit and at rest.
- Store sensitive data on company-approved, encrypted cloud storage platforms.
- Access Control
- Ensure that only authorized personnel have access to specific systems and data.
- Regularly review access permissions and remove access for users no longer in need of it.
- Use multi-factor authentication (MFA) for critical systems.
- Report Suspicious Activity
- Immediately report any unusual behavior or potential security breaches to the IT team.
- Be cautious when clicking on links or downloading attachments from unknown sources.
- Secure Communication
- Use company-approved communication channels for all business-related discussions.
- Avoid sharing sensitive information via personal email or unsecured platforms.
- Use encrypted messaging tools for sharing confidential data.
- Regular Backups
- Ensure critical data is backed up regularly to secure, encrypted storage.
- Test recovery procedures periodically to ensure backups can be restored.
How to Spot Potential Hacks or Breaches
- Suspicious Emails (Phishing)
- Look out for unsolicited emails requesting personal or company information.
- Check for mismatched email addresses or domains that look suspicious.
- Be wary of emails that create a sense of urgency or request immediate action.
- Unexpected Pop-ups or Redirects
- If your browser is redirecting you to unfamiliar websites or if pop-up windows appear frequently, your system may be compromised.
- Avoid interacting with unexpected prompts, and report them to IT.
- Unusual System Behavior
- Slow performance, unexplained crashes, or applications behaving erratically could be signs of malware.
- Disconnect from the network and inform IT if you notice anything out of the ordinary.
- Fake Security Warnings
- Be cautious of fake antivirus or security warning pop-ups claiming your system is infected.
- Use company-approved antivirus software and ignore suspicious warnings from unknown sources.
- Unauthorized Access Attempts
- Keep an eye on alerts about unauthorized login attempts or password reset requests.
- Regularly review login history for suspicious activity on your accounts.
- Strange Network Activity
- Be on the lookout for unusual network traffic or connections, especially to unknown locations.
- IT tools and dashboards can help monitor for irregular traffic that might indicate an attack.
Best Practices for Data Protection