Cyber Security Awareness Month: Four Cyber Hygiene Practices for Australian Organisations

Boost your cyber security posture with these essential practices tailored for Australian organisations.

October is Cyber Security Awareness Month

Welcome to October! This month the Australian Government, and others around the world, are promoting Cyber Security Awareness Month. It's an annual reminder to secure your devices and accounts from cyber threats. While it may seem like a task for every month, this year's theme emphasises that cyber security is everyone’s business. We strongly encourage everyone to prioritise cyber security by taking these proactive steps.

Protecting yourself online doesn’t have to be hard

While we don't want to pick an argument with the Australian Government, the fact is cyber security can appear to be hard for those who don't work with it, or deal with it on a daily basis. That's many of Australia's SMBs.

Understanding the Essential Eight Framework

The 'Essential Eight' is a handy cyber security framework created by the Australian Cyber Security Centre (ACSC) to help organisations beef up their defences against cyber threats. It is freely available for all.

The framework focuses on three main goals:

1. Stopping attacks,
2. Reducing their impact, and
3. Keeping data accessible.

The Essential Eight also includes a maturity model with three levels of alignment. Maturity Level One indicates that an organisation is partly aligned with the framework, Level Two means it is mostly aligned, and Level Three signifies full alignment.

While the mix of strategies, objectives, and maturity levels can seem overwhelming, they do offer a structured approach to improving cyber security.

So in order to help better understand the Essential Eight, we've broken it down into four achievable and practical areas. As always, if you need help, guidance or general cyber security advice then contact Insicon. 

1. Why Regular Backups Are Non-Negotiable

One of the most fundamental steps in enhancing your cyber security posture is ensuring regular backups of your data. This includes not only data stored on local servers but also data stored in cloud applications. Regular backups help mitigate the risk of data loss due to cyber attacks, system failures, or other unforeseen events.

It's crucial to develop a backup strategy that includes regular testing of backup integrity and ensuring that backup data is stored in a secure, offsite location. This practice provides an additional layer of protection and ensures that your organisation can quickly recover in the event of a data breach or loss.

2. The Importance of Multi-Factor Authentication

Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) is a simple yet highly effective way to enhance the security of user accounts. By requiring users to provide two or more forms of identification before gaining access, MFA significantly reduces the likelihood of unauthorized access.

Implementing MFA can be a straightforward process and offers immediate benefits. Whether it's through SMS codes, authentication apps, or biometric verification, MFA adds an extra layer of security that can deter cyber criminals and protect sensitive information.

3. Application Patching: A Simple Yet Powerful Step

Keeping your applications up to date is another essential practice for improving your cyber security posture. Software vendors regularly release patches to fix vulnerabilities and improve security. Failing to apply these patches can leave your systems exposed to cyber attacks. And don't forget your smartphones and tablets.

Implementing a regular patch management process (or at least remembering to check versions) ensures that all applications are consistently updated. This simple step can prevent many common types of cyber attacks and help maintain the integrity and security of your systems.

4. Educating Your Staff on Cyber Security Threats

The human factor is often the weakest link in an organisation's cyber security chain. Educating your staff about common cyber security threats and best practices is crucial in building a robust defence. Regular training can help employees and Executives recognise phishing attempts, understand the importance of strong passwords, and follow proper data handling procedures.

By fostering a culture of cyber awareness, you empower your staff to become active participants in your organisation's security efforts. This collective vigilance can significantly reduce the risk of cyber incidents and enhance your overall security posture.

Stay Ahead of Cyber Threats for the rest of the year

So, there you have it! Four practical areas to focus on that will boost any organisation's cyber security profile and help lower their risk.

The cyber landscape is constantly evolving. Contact Insicon to stay informed about the latest trends and strategies in cybersecurity, ensuring your organisation remains protected all year round.