Cyber Security Review for the Small to Medium Enterprise (SME)
In today’s interconnected digital landscape, cybersecurity is not a luxury but a necessity. It’s no longer the case that only larger organisations can afford to enforce cyber best practice. Today’s business tools and the systems we use to access them come with a myriad of security features built in. Today, the question is more whether you’re using those capabilities to their best advantage or even at all.
Our comprehensive cybersecurity reviews are tailored to meet the unique needs of small and medium-sized enterprise (SME’s), ensuring that your organization’s digital assets and sensitive data remain secure.
Why Cyber Security Reviews Matter
As an SME, you may believe that cyber threats are mostly targeted at larger corporations. However, the reality is quite different. For insight into why SME’s are specifically targeted over large corporations read our blog on the subject, the insight and real world examples with surprise you! Go To Article >
Our Cyber 101 Review Topics
When reviewing and implementing information and cybersecurity controls for SMEs and larger companies, it’s essential to base your approach on best practices to effectively protect against a wide range of cyber threats. Here are key areas of information and cybersecurity controls that should be considered:
- Implement strong user authentication and authorization mechanisms.
- Enforce the principle of least privilege (PoLP) to limit user access to necessary resources.
- Implement multi-factor authentication (MFA) for sensitive systems and data.
- Utilize firewalls and intrusion detection/prevention systems to monitor and filter network traffic.
- Segment networks to limit lateral movement in case of a breach.
- Regularly patch and update network devices and software.
- Encrypt sensitive data both in transit and at rest.
- Establish data classification policies to identify and protect sensitive information.
- Implement data loss prevention (DLP) solutions to monitor and prevent data leaks.
- Deploy antivirus and anti-malware software on all endpoints.
- Employ endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions for advanced threat detection.
- Enforce mobile device management (MDM) policies for smartphones and tablets.
- Conduct regular cybersecurity awareness training for all employees.
- Train employees on recognizing and reporting phishing attempts and other social engineering tactics.
- Establish clear policies and procedures for handling security incidents.
- Develop an incident response plan that outlines how to detect, respond to, and recover from security incidents.
- Conduct tabletop exercises and drills to test the effectiveness of the plan.
- Establish a dedicated incident response team with defined roles and responsibilities.
- Assess and monitor the cybersecurity practices of third-party vendors and service providers.
- Include security requirements in vendor contracts.
- Regularly review and audit third-party security controls.
- Implement continuous monitoring for suspicious activities and anomalies.
- Maintain detailed logs of security events for forensic analysis and auditing purposes.
- Utilize Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) solutions for log analysis.
- Develop a patch management process to promptly apply security updates.
- Prioritize patching based on criticality and potential impact.
- Test patches in a controlled environment before deploying them.
- Regularly back up critical data and systems.
- Test data restoration and disaster recovery plans to ensure business continuity.
- Store backups securely and offsite to protect against physical disasters.
- Control physical access to data centres and critical infrastructure.
- Use security measures such as surveillance cameras, access cards, and biometric authentication.
- Conduct periodic physical security assessments.
- Establish a clear cybersecurity policy and governance framework.
- Align security practices with industry-specific regulations and standards (e.g., GDPR, PCI-DSS, ISO 27001).
- Conduct regular compliance assessments and audits.
- Promote a culture of security throughout the organization.
- Reward and recognize employees for security-conscious behaviour.
- Encourage open communication about security concerns and incidents.
Implementing and continuously reviewing these information and cybersecurity controls based on best practices is crucial for protecting your organization’s data and systems from evolving cyber threats. Tailor these controls to your organization’s specific needs and regularly assess their effectiveness to stay resilient against cybersecurity risks.