Cyber Security Tips For The New Year

The beginning of a New Year is a great time to start fresh and even reflect a little bit. It’s nice to take a moment to restart and set new goals along with keeping your ongoing business goals running. When it comes to protecting sensitive business data for your company, this is an ongoing business goal you will want to take seriously. You’ll want to continue to make sure your online network remains secure in 2019. Each year hackers find new ways to steal data. Don’t let your company be a victim of a cyber security attack. Especially since 2019 has just begun.

Here are some helpful tips to follow to make sure your online information remains safe and you don’t run into any security vulnerabilities.

Think Before You Click

This is something we can’t express enough to be cautious about. Be careful about what link you click. Hackers have found ways to create links that are not trusted or secure. If you click on a link such as one that is created by a hacker you are at great risk for your personal info to be stolen, a password being hacked, malware attack or even financial loss. Steer clear of links that ask for personal information that look like they are from a sketchy or untrusted source. Only click links from a trusted source such as a well-known website.

Password Maintenance

We highly suggest to continue creating passwords that are unique and meet the requirements of a strong password. Many times you might be in a rush to create a new password. It’s okay to take an extra moment to create a password that meets the standards of a strong password. You can even add an extra layer of security and enable Two-Factor Authentication. By adding Two-Factor to your password set-up this adds not only adds extra protection to your computer network, but it is also another security measure to take in order to keep hackers out. Plus, 2 factor also helps to keep hackers away from your business data too.

Take Inventory

The New Year is a nice time to take inventory of your devices. Take a moment and check to see what devices are connected to who, what and where. You may find that you need to update a device, reassign it to someone else, or maybe a device simply needs to be upgraded. It’s good to review these devices yearly to make sure everything it is working properly and is being accessed by the right people.

Don’t Skip Any Updates

As we just mentioned, taking inventory of your devices is good to do to make sure everyone is using the right device. Next – make sure your devices such as laptops, tablets, desktop computers, etc. are all up-to-date. A device that is not up-to-date is vulnerable to an attack. To keep your devices secure and your valuable information safe, make sure to stay on top of your software updates. Also, some software may be due for patches. Patches will help ensure your software continues to run smoothly and that there are no hiccups along the way while you continue your business efforts in the New Year.

Keep Top Priorities A Priority

For cyber security to work, you need to stay on track. Keep your priorities regular and keep your systems in place in order for your network to stay safe. Don’t let any of your priorities fall through the cracks as that can happen from time to time and can cause a network to become unsafe. Sometimes we get so used to how things are that we tend to not keep it a priority anymore. With cyber security, everything is a priority and needs to be treated as such.

If you are looking to make an update to your cyber security plan, before making any changes, contact your Managed Service Provider. An IT support company can guide you in the right direction for the New Year and help implement stronger and more secure safety measures for your organization. An MSP can also help lessen the threat of your business becoming a victim of a cyber security attack.

With that said, we hope these tips are useful. We’d also like to wish everyone a very Happy New Year!

 

June 17, 2025
Meeting IT security compliance standards is crucial for businesses that handle sensitive data, particularly in industries such as healthcare, finance, defense, and e-commerce. Regulatory frameworks such as HIPAA, CMMC, PCI-DSS, and GDPR exist to help ensure businesses protect customer information and maintain robust cybersecurity practices. Unfortunately, many organizations fall short of these requirements, often due to common, avoidable mistakes. These gaps can result in costly fines, data breaches, and reputational damage, which can significantly impact the business's bottom line and customer trust. 1. Failing to Conduct Regular Risk Assessments The Pitfall: Many businesses overlook the importance of conducting routine risk assessments. Without these, it’s challenging to identify vulnerabilities or evaluate whether your current cybersecurity controls meet compliance standards. How to Avoid It: Implement a regular risk assessment schedule. Work with a qualified IT provider to evaluate your systems, identify weaknesses, and document remediation plans. These assessments should be performed at least annually, or whenever significant changes to the system occur. 2. Inadequate Employee Training The Pitfall: Your employees are your first line of defense—and often your most significant vulnerability. A common compliance issue arises when businesses fail to train staff on cybersecurity best practices or on handling sensitive data appropriately. How to Avoid It: Invest in ongoing cybersecurity awareness training. Ensure employees understand how to recognize phishing emails, create strong passwords, and report any suspicious activity. Training should be updated regularly to reflect current threats and compliance requirements. 3. Improper Data Handling and Storage The Pitfall: Storing sensitive data in unsecured locations, failing to encrypt information, or retaining data longer than necessary are significant compliance risks. These practices are often flagged during audits. How to Avoid It: Adopt data classification policies that define how different types of data should be handled; encrypt sensitive data both at rest and in transit. Establish clear data retention policies and ensure that obsolete data is disposed of securely. 4. Lack of Incident Response Planning The Pitfall: When a security incident occurs, time is of the essence. Many businesses lack a documented incident response plan, or their existing plan hasn’t been thoroughly tested. This can lead to delayed responses, increased damage, and regulatory penalties. How to Avoid It: Develop a formal incident response plan that includes roles, responsibilities, communication protocols, and steps for containment and recovery. Run simulated breach scenarios with your IT team to ensure everyone knows how to respond effectively. 5. Using Outdated Software or Systems The Pitfall: Running outdated operating systems, software, or firmware is a common issue that can lead to compliance failures. Unsupported technologies are more vulnerable to exploitation. How to Avoid It: Keep all systems and applications up to date with the latest patches. Use automated tools to track software versions and receive alerts about end-of-life technologies. Schedule regular maintenance windows to apply updates and upgrades. 6. Insufficient Access Controls The Pitfall: Allowing too many employees access to sensitive data—or failing to revoke access when it’s no longer needed—can lead to data breaches and non-compliance. How to Avoid It: Implement role-based access controls and follow the principle of least privilege. This principle means that each user should have the minimum level of access necessary to perform their job. Regularly audit user accounts and permissions to ensure access is current and appropriate. Use multi-factor authentication (MFA) to add an additional layer of protection. 7. Neglecting Third-Party Vendor Risks The Pitfall: Businesses often overlook the fact that their compliance responsibilities extend to third-party vendors. If a vendor mishandles your data, you could still be held accountable. How to Avoid It: Vet third-party vendors carefully. Ensure they meet the same compliance standards as your business and include security requirements in your contracts. Conduct periodic audits or request compliance certifications from your vendors. 8. Failing to Document Policies and Procedures The Pitfall: Even if your security practices are strong, failing to document your compliance policies can result in audit failures. Regulators want to see evidence that you have formal processes in place. How to Avoid It: Create and maintain clear documentation for all compliance-related policies, including data protection, access control, incident response, and employee training. Make these documents easily accessible for audits and regularly review them to ensure updates are current. Conclusion Compliance with IT security standards is not a one-time project—it requires ongoing attention, regular updates, and a proactive approach to maintain effectiveness. By understanding and addressing these common pitfalls, your business can stay ahead of regulatory requirements, strengthen its security posture, and reduce the risk of costly incidents. This ongoing attention is crucial to maintaining your business's security and audit readiness. If you’re unsure whether your business is meeting current IT compliance standards, professional support can help. Contact SDTEK today to schedule a compliance assessment and learn how our IT services can keep your business secure and audit-ready. With our support, you can navigate the complex landscape of IT security compliance with confidence.
April 9, 2025
In today’s digital-first world, cybersecurity isn’t just a luxury—it’s a necessity. Whether you run a small startup or a growing enterprise in Fort Wayne , protecting your business’s data, systems, and clients is essential for long-term success. From ransomware attacks to phishing scams, cyber threats are evolving every day, and the best way to stay ahead of them is by partnering with a reliable IT services provider that understands the unique needs of local businesses. Here’s why investing in professional business IT support is one of the smartest decisions Fort Wayne businesses can make—and how working with SDTEK helps protect your operations, your data, and your reputation.