Protecting Employees and Customers Digital Presence
• bigDoodR
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As a continuation of the actions an individual should take to enhance their privacy and security, one onus of a company/organization should be to protect both their employees’ and their customers’ / users’ security & privacy and encourage those people to be mindful of their digital presence.
Also adapted from Kevin Mitnick’s book, Art of Invisibility, below are items I think befalls on a good corporation to implement.
Ask yourself if your employeer does these things.
Consider what websites you patronize and if their data usage policies address these items.
To go really deep and reflect on how companies’ IT Security should communicate with their employees, check out honest.security.
Org Responsibilities to Employees and Customers
Password and Authentication Management
- Promote Strong Password Hygiene
- Require strong, unique passwords and encourage the use of password managers to securely store them.
- Implement Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)
- Require MFA for accessing sensitive systems and data to add an extra layer of protection.
- Utilize Passwordless Authentication
- Encourage secure alternatives such as biometric authentication for sensitive applications.
Encryption and Secure Communications
- End-to-End Encryption
- Enforce encryption for all communications, including emails, messaging, and VoIP services.
- Encrypt Data at Rest and in Transit
- Ensure sensitive data is always encrypted, whether stored locally or transmitted over networks.
Network Security
- Secure Wi-Fi and Network Traffic
- Use WPA3 or VPNs to secure connections and deploy firewalls and intrusion detection systems to monitor traffic.
- Segment Networks
- Isolate IoT and less-secure devices from the core network to limit exposure in case of a breach.
Device and Account Security
- Enforce Device Security Policies
- Implement mandatory device locking, remote-wipe capabilities, and full-disk encryption on all company-issued devices.
- Regular Software Updates
- Ensure timely updates to all devices, apps, and firmware to mitigate vulnerabilities.
- Mobile Device Management (MDM)
- Use MDM solutions to enforce security policies, remotely wipe devices, and manage app usage.
Data Privacy and Minimization
- Limit Data Collection and Retention
- Collect only necessary data and securely delete it when no longer needed.
- Provide Privacy Controls
- Allow users to opt out of data collection and provide clear, transparent privacy policies regarding data handling.
- Email Scanning Disclosure
- Organizations should periodically notify their users of their email scanning policy.
Security Awareness and Training
- Conduct Regular Training
- Offer security awareness training on topics like phishing, social engineering, secure device handling, and safe online practices.
- Simulated Security Drills
- Regularly conduct phishing simulations and other security exercises to test employee readiness.
Secure Cloud and Backup Solutions
- Encrypted Cloud Backup
- Ensure cloud backups are encrypted and regularly audited for compliance with security standards.
- Control Cloud Access
- Implement strict permissions and two-factor authentication for cloud services to safeguard sensitive data.
Incident Response and Auditing
- Develop an Incident Response Plan
- Create a clear response plan for handling data breaches, including roles, communication protocols, and recovery steps.
- Conduct Regular Audits
- Perform routine audits of security practices, data handling, and third-party vendor compliance.
Physical and Environmental Security
- Secure Devices Physically
- Encourage the use of cable locks and secure storage options for devices, particularly during travel or remote work.
- Monitor and Control Physical Access
- Use secure printing and access controls for sensitive areas to prevent unauthorized data exposure.