IT security: some basic cybersecurity tips for employees.

You are as responsible for the safety of the company as the boss, and by following these cybersecurity tips for employees you can start reinforcing it.

Can you imagine that one day you arrive at work and find that the company’s data has been stolen and you are responsible for it because you downloaded a file of dubious origin onto one of the company’s computers? It would not only be embarrassing; but it would also put your position in the company in jeopardy. And I imagine you don’t want to go through this. To avoid such terrible situation, I’ll give you an advice: learn the cybersecurity tips for employees.

IT security

Cybersecurity is necessary

Some people take this issue of IT security rather lightly, don’t take action and don’t mind not doing so; not knowing how much they’re exposed to danger. Others are concerned about it, but have the idea that computer security is a kind of very complex esoteric practice, that without the necessary knowledge there’s nothing they can do; so they give up on any application of cybersecurity.

But the truth is that both attitudes are wrong. The threat of theft of our information, not only of trivial things but of really important things like our bank account data; is real and must be avoided at all costs. At the same time; although expert assistance is necessary at the most advanced levels of computer security; there are some basic measures that the “uninitiated” can take to increase their protection in the digital world of networks.

I’m here to talk to you about these measures; about the basic cybersecurity tips for employees that you must follow to the letter if you want to have a strong defense of the company’s data in the most basic aspects. The assistance of an expert will be still necessary, in fact, it always will be; but with these recommendations you can start doing something about it.

Cybersecurity tips for employees

Let’s see how with these cybersecurity tips for employees you can strengthen IT security at the most fundamental levels:

  • Use antivirus: Among the cyber security tips for employees; this is the first one you should take into account. Viruses are the most widespread threat in the world of computers; so you should have at least the minimum protection against them in the company’s machines. If you work in a company whose policy is to use your own devices at work, and they don’t have antivirus; you should make the effort and buy and install them on your computers.
  • Be careful with public internet access: We know that there are certain establishments or areas that offer a free wifi internet connection. Although very attractive; you should be careful with these types of connections as they make you vulnerable to information thieves. The best thing is that; while you are out of the office and surfing on public wifi networks, don’t take any work-related action, as you could be putting both your own and the company’s information at risk.
  • Have some mistrust of the mail: Are you in the office and received an email with an attachment that you didn’t ask for? Well, don’t open it; even outside of work. The chances that it’s a virus or something similar are considerably high. This is why you should be suspicious when you receive an attachment or link in the mail. Phishing by this means is very common; so don’t immediately trust if the link or attachment was received from someone apparently reliable or known.  Before clicking, check in other ways that what you’re receiving is authentic or not malicious.

Other tips

  • Use strong passwords: As an employee; you should not use easy passwords or use a single password for everything related to the company; and this is something, moreover, that you should duplicate in your daily life. For each thing that requires it; use a different password, and use a random combination of characters. And don’t forget that you should change your passwords regularly; so that you avoid even the slightest security breach in this regard.
  • Create regular backups: A false step could mean the total loss of all the company’s information; or at least the data about it that you’re responsible for, so you must always have the most up-to-date backup ready so that, in the event of an attack; you can be operational as soon as possible.
  • Use a vpn: If you work from home, to increase both your security and that of the company, the best thing to do is to connect using a vpn, thus increasing the level of protection of your data through encryption and privacy provided by this type of connection.
  • Be careful when installing programs: Especially if it is the company’s equipment, don’t install programs of dubious origin. Try all the time to install software from authorized distributors, so the program in question will not bring you any surprises.
  • Update your computer’s operating system: Try to keep your equipment up to date as far as the operating system is concerned. Don’t skip any updates; especially security ones. Over time, developers discover that their products have weaknesses, and through these updates they attempt to fix them.  Therefore, you should always update your software.

Get some training

So far; the cybersecurity tips for employees that I have given you turn out to be elementary. They are only the basis for strong IT security, but these measures are not enough to be as protected as possible from cyber-attacks. I therefore recommend you to seek out some professional training in this area. Learn how to protect yourself strongly against the threat of data theft by using the right tools and by using the most advanced security protocols.

Follow these cybersecurity tips for employees. This will undoubtedly bring many benefits to you and the company.  And with these 9 cybersecurity tips for employees you can start doing something about it to work without putting your information at risk, much less the company’s data. Afterwards, it comes the reinforcement of an IT security professional.


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