How Secure Are Your Business Apps?
As businesses have begun to re-think their approaches to keep up with the ever-changing digital landscape, millions of us have had to rely on applications such as Zoom, Microsoft Teams and Skype to carry out meetings. However, are these applications as secure as they should be?
Business Applications
Business applications can be critical for productivity and collaboration, but they also pose a security risk to businesses if they are not properly secured. The Coronavirus pandemic resulted in a significant increase in the use of business applications, leading to a rise in the number of cyber security risks.
As cyber criminals continue looking for new ways to gain access to sensitive information, business applications can provide them with an easy way in. Everyday applications - such as Zoom - have been found to have exploitable vulnerabilities, which provides businesses with yet another headache.
To protect your business, you should consistently run the latest software version - and ensure all security patches are installed. Equally, consider using a VPN service to encrypt your data and prevent Zoom-bombing, where uninvited guests can join your meeting and access sensitive information.
Businesses need to ensure that their applications are properly secured, but what other steps can they take?
How Can I Be More Secure?
As hackers become more sophisticated in their methods to try and gain access to your business and your client's data, it has never been more important to implement appropriate security measures.
So, when it comes to security, there are a few key things you should keep in mind. Here are a few tips to help you keep your business safe:
1. Use a password manager to create unique, complex passwords for each application.
2. Educate your employees on the importance of cyber security and how they can keep your business safe.
3. Ensure that you are using the latest version of your software and that all security patches have been installed
4. Ask yourself how crucial the download is - and if it comes from a verified source. If you're downloading an application nobody has heard of - or a programme through a link that's come from a suspicious-looking email - you could be welcoming cyber attackers in
Are You Doing Enough?
It's not uncommon for people to use the same password across several platforms, which can be putting businesses at a significant security risk - especially if the password used on platforms such as Zoom is the same they use on work accounts elsewhere.
Recent reports have highlighted that business applications are not as secure as they should be, with sensitive information such as passwords leaking without the user’s knowledge. However, positive signs are emerging, as Apple are amongst those leading the charge to try and notify users when a password leaks online. But, could you be doing more to help your staff?
Using a password manager means users can create unique passwords for each application and ensure that they are lengthy and complex enough to prevent cyber criminals from hacking into their accounts. This also helps prevent internal security breaches through users having access to the same set of passwords.
In addition to the steps you can take to protect your business, employees need to be educated on the role cyber security plays - and how they can keep your business safe. Employees should be encouraged to report any suspicious activity to in-house IT teams - or an assigned MSP - and to never share passwords or other sensitive information. By increasing awareness of the threats, you can help to protect your business from becoming a victim of cybercrime.
The Last Word
Business applications - such as Zoom - are paramount to business as usual operations now for organisations globally. Whilst we're not saying you should leave them alone and go back to pre-pandemic operations, it may be time to be mindful that some could be exposing you to threats - or increasing your risk levels.
If you are concerned about the security of your business applications, then it could be time to speak to a professional IT security consultant about your options. Managed Service Providers - such as Fifosys - exist to share expertise with businesses, protecting them from threats and leading them into a better, more secure future.