IT and computers risk assessment
As more businesses use computers to store vital information, making sure your IT systems are secure is more important than ever. Below are the essential steps you need to make for peace of mind.
- Prevent unauthorised access to programs and data by making sure your system is password protected.
- Set up a firewall for your internet connection.
- Make sure your computers have anti-virus software installed and that these programs are kept up-to-date.
- Back up your information and store backed up information away from its normal work place in a secure, fire-protected environment.
- Ask staff to be careful when opening suspicious looking email attachments.
- Train staff to set up secure passwords (containing letters, numbers and punctuation).
- Train staff to change passwords regularly and to keep these passwords secret.
- Train staff to look after portable devices such as laptops, blackberrys and memory sticks – they may hold sensitive data, which you will not want to be made available externally.
- Train staff to be careful in their email and internet usage and to refrain from sharing data or personal information online.
Need more help?
There is a lot of free advice out there for organisations wishing to improve security. Take a look at some of the resources below:
- Download Secure in the Knowledge - Building a secure business PDF
- Take a look at Business Link – IT security
- Download case study on Web Hosting – The Hidden Dangers PDF
- Find IT security experts on our useful contacts page
