Recommended Best Practices to Reduce Cyber Supply Chain Risks

/in , , /by

Understanding the risks of a supply chain attack and how to manage them is an essential part of any successful organization’s strategy. A supply chain attack targets vendors and suppliers outside the organization, resulting in financial losses, reputational damage, and extensive recovery efforts. 

Cyber supply chain risk management includes:

  • Examining third-party security protocols.
  • Ensuring their products meet safety standards.
  • Putting safety mechanisms in place to prevent attacks from occurring.

With so much competition in today’s business climate, proper cyber supply chain management is essential to keep operations running smoothly. However, ignoring these risks can lead to the chaos caused by agents of malicious intent. 

Adopting best practices for risk mitigation is an effective way to reduce the chance of becoming a target for such criminals.

Recommended security practices

Having suitable security measures in place is always more beneficial than trying to repair damage after a cyber-attack. Therefore, businesses must take proactive steps when managing their data, systems, software, and networks. Here are some practices which can help protect your business from supply chain risks:

A comprehensive cyber defense strategy must be in place.

This means taking a holistic approach to defending against potential threats from within the supply chain. First, make sure you identify any weaknesses that may exist and then put into effect strong safeguards that will minimize the risk of danger as much as possible. Remember a contingency plan, too, in case you experience a breach.

Employees need regular security awareness training.

All company employees must realize how their actions could unintentionally end up putting their security at risk. By increasing their knowledge of identifying potential threats, they can take better steps towards avoiding malicious activity from coming through the supply chain.

Keep in mind that drafting current policies and procedures is paramount for successful protection against cyber risk – this is not a one-time affair. It should take place regularly to ensure all stakeholders are on the same page.

Access control is essential.

A secure access gateway provides a way for trusted users to access your business information, including that of the supply chain. Authentication and authorization go hand in hand in creating an effective access control system. Furthermore, it is possible to prevent third-party apps from gaining access without permission.

Constant security vigilance

Surveying the operations within the supply chain on an ongoing basis helps combat potential cyber threats ahead of time. Using tools such as sensors, tracking devices, and real-time data analysis makes it possible to identify any weak spots in the system so that corrective action can be taken. Security checkups may also unearth any roadblocks or bottlenecks in your supply chain, leading to improved efficiency and cost savings.

Installing the latest security patches

Keeping up with security patches is an essential part of protecting systems and devices from potential threats. These updates often contain fixes for bugs that malicious actors could exploit, so installing them as soon as possible is vital to minimize risk. In addition, doing so can help businesses protect against disruptions and other adverse outcomes.

Having an incident response strategy

An incident response strategy helps ensure your organization can react quickly in case of a supply chain attack or other security breaches. This plan should outline norms for responding to unexpected events and include identifying vulnerabilities, setting up communications protocols, and preparing contingency plans.

Working with a professional IT firm

Outsourcing to an experienced IT service provider is an effective way to mitigate supply chain vulnerabilities. This kind of specialist support and advice can help safeguard against data breaches and other cyberattacks and ensure your systems are current and secure.

Moreover, enlisting the services of a reputable IT firm will assist in deploying reliable security measures that solidify your supply chain security posture and protect against potential harm to your company.

Adopt these best practices before it’s too late

Supply chain security is a complex and multifaceted issue, and the best practices mentioned above are just the tip of the iceberg in terms of what you should be doing to avoid security incidents. It can be overwhelming to try and implement all of these measures on your own, especially if you already have a lot on your plate.

One effective way to begin is by partnering with an IT service provider like us. We have a wealth of experience and expertise in this area and can provide the support and guidance you need to ensure a secure and safe future for your business. Don’t go it alone – get in touch with us today and let us help you take the first steps towards a safer tomorrow.

The Dangers of Running Outdated Software

/in , , /by

When software reaches its end of life, it no longer receives critical patches and updates, leaving users vulnerable to various problems. While some may not see the need to upgrade immediately, outdated software can lead to security risks, data loss, compliance issues, and more. In this blog, we will discuss the primary implications of running outdated software and explain why taking action is crucial when reaching EoL.

Implications of using outdated software

The implications of running outdated software can be divided into three categories:

Security implications

Old software can be a considerable security risk. You might not get security patches from the vendor anymore, leaving your system open to known exploits. Also, attackers may have already reverse-engineered the software and developed exploit code, making it easier for them to compromise your system. Outdated software can also cause compatibility issues with other software and hardware, leading to data loss or corruption. And finally, running old software may violate your organization’s security policies, hindering a secure future and operational excellence.

Productivity implications

Software that is not up to date can negatively impact a company’s productivity. For example, outdated software can run slowly, crash often, or be challenging to use, leading to employee frustration and workflow disruptions. This can harm a company’s reputation with customers and bottom line. Therefore, it is important to keep software up to date to avoid these problems.

Privacy implications

The implications of using outdated software can be severe, especially when it comes to sensitive information. Without support from the vendor and proper security measures, you could be at risk for data breaches and fines.

For example, in the United States, the Federal Trade Commission is taking action against Chegg Inc. for failing to patch vulnerabilities that exposed sensitive information about millions of its customers and employees, such as Social Security numbers, email addresses, and passwords. Chegg allegedly couldn’t address problems despite four security breaches over five years.

According to the FTC’s proposed order, the company must immediately address vulnerabilities and take additional steps to limit the amount of data it can collect and retain. Additionally, to provide users with multifactor authentication to secure their accounts and allow users to access and delete their data.*

Collaborate for success

As a business owner, it’s important to be aware of the dangers of using outdated software. While it may be a challenge to upgrade your systems, partnering with an IT service provider can help ease the burden.

At Istonish, we can assist in identifying outdated software and hardware, as well as keeping your company up to date on the latest security threats. We can also update your systems to the latest versions, ensuring optimal protection for your business.

4 Practical Steps to Take When Hardware and Software Expire

/in , /by

As a piece of software or hardware reaches its end of life (EOL) or end of service (EoS), support from the manufacturer ceases. This can pose a risk to organizations as unsupported technologies have no routine internal security measures.

However, a company can take steps to mitigate these risks and protect your business. Read on for more information.

Practical steps

Although there may be a sufficiently large list of practical steps, the four most impactful ones are:

Evaluate long-term needs

As you plan, it is vital to consider your critical systems’ long-term viability. What are your goals and which systems do you need to achieve them?

It is crucial to assess the risks of using End-of-Life systems before deciding whether to upgrade. For example, what would happen if you continued to use an outdated system? How likely will these consequences occur, and how severe would they be?

These factors can help you make the best decision for your organization, ensuring that you have suitable systems to support your goals.

Test compatibility before migration

Planning for a system migration should start long before its end-of-life date. By doing so, you can avoid disruptions that may occur during migration.

Testing compatibility is one of the first steps in migrating to a new system. Next, you must ensure that your IT team can transfer all your data and applications to a new system. Setting up a test environment and running some tests is the best way to accomplish this.

Prioritize security

As soon as you identify that you have EoL software/hardware, it’s important to prioritize security for your organization. First, work with a reputable vendor who can provide security protocols and tools to keep your data safe. Additionally, create a plan to minimize any potential security risks.

This might include implementing extra security measures, such as two-factor authentication or increased monitoring of high-risk areas. Taking these precautions can help ensure that your organization’s data is protected against threats.

Measure productivity

When your software or hardware is nearing the end of its life, it’s essential to keep track of its productivity levels to avoid negative impacts on your organization. Here are some things you can do to minimize any problems:

• Track the performance of the software or hardware over time. This will help you identify any potential issues early on.

• Keep employees who use it informed of its status. This will help them be more understanding and prepared in case of any problems.

• Have a backup plan in case the software or hardware fails. This will help you avoid significant disruptions to your organization.

Collaborate for success

EoL/EoS software and hardware can pose several risks to your organization. Implementing all the practical steps necessary to avoid these risks can be overwhelming, but assistance is available.

An experienced and reliable Information Technology service provider can help protect your company from the dangers of using outdated software and hardware. Don’t hesitate to contact us today to learn more about how we can help.

3 Technology End-of-Service Myths

/in , , /by

As cybercrime continues to be a significant threat, businesses must do everything possible to maintain optimal security. This challenge means keeping all software and hardware up to date. However, many companies must realize that expired software/hardware is one of the most prominent security risks hindering their success.

Using unsupported software and hardware until it doesn’t work anymore can be a severe hurdle to your organization’s daily operations and reputation.

Many myths surrounding End of Service or End of Life need to be clarified for businesses. This blog is intended to help you clear things up.

Demystifying the myths

Let’s dispel some of the most common myths.

Myth #1: End of Service means I can still use the product until it breaks
It’s essential to know the End-of-Service dates for your software and hardware, so you can plan and make sure you’re not left without support. Being in an End-of-Life or End-of-Service state means there is no longer a team working on improving the product or creating and releasing patches for new security vulnerabilities. This could leave you vulnerable to attacks and unable to use new features and capabilities that are released.

Myth #2: If it’s not broken, don’t fix (or replace) it
It’s popular to say, “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it,” but when it comes to software and hardware, that’s not always sage advice. Failing to update your software and hardware can expose your network to security vulnerabilities, bugs, and other issues.

There are several reasons to keep your software and hardware up to date. First, newer versions are usually more stable and less prone to crashes and bugs. Plus, new updates frequently include security patches that help protect against cyberattacks. And finally, updates may include new features and enhancements that can make your life easier.

Next time you’re tempted to skip an update, remember you could be kickstarting a chain of events that’s not good for your organization.

Myth #3: End of Life means the product will no longer exist
Although the product will still be available, it will no longer receive security updates, new features, or tech support from the manufacturer. This means that it will become increasingly vulnerable to security risks and may be unable to keep up with your workload.

It also implies your IT team will find it harder to keep your IT network and devices secure from cyberthreats. If you’re using a piece of hardware or software that has reached the end of its life cycle, you should consider upgrading to a newer model or investing in a new software license.

Join hands for success

Updating your software and hardware is essential to keep your business running smoothly and avoid potential consequences. However, trying to do everything alone can be difficult and time-consuming. This is where an experienced and professional IT service provider can help.

We can support you by offering vital guidance and expertise so you can decide what steps to take to keep your IT systems running smoothly and securely. If you’re interested in learning more, feel free to reach out for a consultation.