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Many of us are aware of the obvious security threats that are worth protecting against. But what about the more overlooked security threats? This post delves into some of the common security weaknesses that businesses overlook.
Lack of exterior lighting
Not having any exterior lighting outside your company premises could make you a more likely target for burglars. When there isn’t any exterior lighting, it makes it easier for a burglar to break in without any neighbours or passers-by seeing. This is particularly the case with properties on roads that don’t have much street lighting.
Installing exterior lighting on your property doesn’t have to be expensive. If you don’t fancy wiring in lights, there are battery powered lights that you can use. Motion sensing lights can help to conserve power by only turning on when motion is detected around them. To fully secure your premises, make sure that lighting is installed on all sides of the building where there are windows or doors.
Poorly maintained security cameras
Security cameras are one of the best crime deterrents. Exterior cameras will put off most burglars and vandals, while interior cameras can deter all kinds of crime such as shoplifting or trespassing.
That said, not all criminals will be put off by a security camera. Fortunately, in these cases, a camera can still capture footage to be used as evidence to take to the police or use in a dismissal case.
Unless of course the camera has not been well maintained. Dust or dirt on the camera lens, cobwebs across the lens, or unrepaired electrical faults can all result in unusable security camera footage – which can eliminate much of the purpose of having a camera. To make sure that you’re always able to capture clear video evidence, consider getting into a good habit of cleaning cameras and checking footage to make sure they work properly.
Unscreened/ unmonitored visitors
Criminals can sometimes pose as visitors including cleaners, technicians, boiler inspectors, mailmen, job applicants or even clients in order to gain access to unauthorised areas where they may plan to steal or leak information. It is important to screen all these visitors as they enter and not just take their word at face value – this could include checking their ID or confirming that they’ve called/emailed beforehand.
You can also prevent visitors from causing crime by monitoring them. This could be a simple case of accompanying them wherever they need to go in the building (particularly any unauthorised areas). Interior security cameras can also be used to monitor visitors.
Unsecured personal devices
Many of us are a lot less strict when it comes to securing our personal devices as opposed to business devices. But these personal devices can still be a threat to your business, even if you or your employees are not working on them. Simply logging them into the company wi-fi could provide a point of entry for hackers.
This is why it could be worth encouraging you and your employees to secure your personal devices such as phones or laptops that they personally own. This guide to securing an iPhone https://setapp.com/how-to/10-tips-on-how-to-protect-your-iphone offers a few tips that could be worth following.
IoT technology
IoT (Internet of Things) technology describes any piece of technology with a connection to the internet. Nowadays, it’s not just computers that have an internet connection, but all kinds of devices ranging from cash registers to printers. Some companies even have their HVAC and lighting connected to the internet so that it can be controlled remotely.
These smart devices can sometimes pose a security risk as they are much easier to hack into than a computer or a phone. This is why you need to be careful about which devices you invest in. It’s better to buy devices from respected brands that have a good security rating. There may also be ways of better securing your IoT technology such as using strong passwords and potentially even using a separate wi-fi connection exclusively for these devices.
Not changing passwords
While many of us understand the importance of choosing strong passwords, many of us never change these passwords. There are many risks to using old passwords – the longer a password is in use, the more attempts a hacker has to break into it. Past employees may also leak passwords.
There are believed to be many leaked passwords already available on the dark web. Hackers can get hold of these passwords and get access to sensitive information.
By regularly changing passwords every few months, you can make it harder for hackers to get hold of these passwords, while also reducing the risk of any already leaked passwords being usable. It could be particularly worth changing passwords after unhappy past employees with special privileges leave.
Not screening employees
It could also be important to carry out security background checks on certain employees – especially those who may have access to sensitive information. Some companies don’t do this and end up hiring employees who steal or leak information.
A criminal background check could be important when hiring an employee to make sure that an applicant doesn’t have a previous history of theft or fraud. Any past crimes related to cybercrime could be a big red flag.
Expired software
After a number of years, vendors may stop supporting software. When this happens, it’s a good idea to stop using this software, as it could become vulnerable to new viruses and hacking methods. This is because it is no longer receiving updates to patch up glitches or improve security. You can read more information about this here https://www.business2community.com/tech-gadgets/top-5-risks-of-using-outdated-software-in-your-company-02412185.
You’ll usually get some warning from the vendor when software is about to lose support. In many cases, a newer version will be available to use which you can easily migrate to. Make sure to do this in good time before the old software loses its support.
