Cybersecurity Basics: How to Safeguard Your Firm in an Evolving Digital Landscape
by Patrick Boyd, Chief Operating Officer
The digital world is constantly evolving and some parts of it are scary. What can a firm or company do to protect itself when it seems like the barbarians are constantly at the proverbial gate?
There are actually several basic steps you can do to protect your data and the data of your clients, not to mention your well-earned reputation.
Passwords
First, make sure you have strong passwords in use. You hear this mantra a lot, but it’s worth repeating. Use strong and complex passwords with a mix of the four elements (upper case, lower case, numbers, and symbols) with minimum lengths. We recommend 12 characters or more as a minimum.
MFA
Multi-factor authentication has become a global standard. It combines something you know (your password) with something you have (your phone) to provide a barrier to would-be criminals. It only adds a few seconds to your login/access process but provides a big wall of security.
Patching
Computers (and phones) are not appliances as much as we think of them that way. They need updates. Software was written by humans and humans make mistakes. Routine patching helps make sure your systems are current and protected. Think of it like a well-maintained vehicle: It’s going to run better and handle challenges better if it’s in good working order.
Malicious links and attachments
Bad actors will try to get it. It’s a fact. Consider a Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) tool ideally backed by a team of professionals who can actively monitor risks and in real-time, respond to risks.
Cornerstone.IT has been providing guidance and solutions to these issues and more for 20+ years. We routinely maintain our clients’ systems, help implement security solutions and give our expert advice to law firms across the country, based on our collective experience.