5 Easy Ways to Improve Your Organization’s Cybersecurity 

Backup, cyber attacks, cybersecurity, Ophtek, secure WIFI, Training, two-factor authentication, VPN, , , , , , ,
10
Oct 2023

With cyber-attacks showing no signs of slowing up, it’s more important than ever before to make sure your organization’s IT systems are protected. 

Luckily, this doesn’t necessarily involve huge amounts of investment. In fact, some of the most effective ways to protect your IT infrastructure are the simplest. But not ever business realizes this, and this is why so many find themselves falling victim to cybercriminals. Therefore, it’s crucial that you start implementing the best solutions for protecting your organization. 

How Do You Keep the Cybercriminals at Bay? 

To help you get started with securing your defenses, we’ve put together 5 easy ways to improve your organization’s cybersecurity: 

  1. Two-factor authentication: passwords are an amazing method of protection, and this is why they have been used as a security measure for decades. However, a breached password is of little use when it comes to securing your IT systems. Therefore, implementing two-factor authentication should be a major priority. This extra layer of security involves a user receiving a unique code – via registered text or email – to confirm their identity after entering their login credentials. This means that, even if a password is stolen, there is a further security hurdle to overcome. 
  1. Training as a team: training sessions are essential when it comes to educating your staff on the dangers of malware and threat actors. However, one-to-one IT induction processes aren’t enough. You also need to develop programs which train your team as a whole. Studies have shown that group learning is more effective and this is exactly what you need when building your IT defenses. 
  1. Secure your networks with a VPN: one of the best ways to protect your organization’s data and internet connections is by using a virtual private network (VPN). A VPN establishes secure connections between remote employees and the organization’s network, maximizing data privacy and preventing data breaches. It does this by encrypting data transmissions, shielding sensitive information from hackers, and preventing unauthorized access. Combined with tunneling protocols and authentication mechanisms, a VPN will help you create a secure digital barrier. 
  1. Create backups: many cyberattacks, particularly ransomware campaigns, focus on stealing and restricting access to data. This is why backups should form a major part of your IT defenses. By creating multiple backups – see our guide to the 3-2-1 backup method – you are essentially creating a safety net for your business in the event of a data breach. While it may not mitigate every negative impact of a data breach – such as customer data being leaked – it will minimize the risks of data loss.  
  1. Secure your Wi-Fi network: there’s absolutely no need for your Wi-Fi network to be publicly visible. By advertising the presence of your Wi-Fi network, you are inviting threat actors to test your defenses. Therefore, you need to not only secure and encrypt your Wi-Fi network, but also hide it from public view. This can be achieved by instructing your router to never broadcast its network name, also known as the Service Set Identifier (SSID). 

For more ways to secure and optimize your business technology, contact your local IT professionals. 

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How Iranian Citizens Accessed the Internet Against the Odds

Freedom of information, Iran Internet, Ophtek, Starlink, Tor, VPN, , , , ,
27
Sep 2022

Internet networks all over Iran are being shut down amid a series of protests in the country over women’s rights. However, the internet is fighting back.

Following the death of a young woman, who was being held by Tehran’s morality police for not properly wearing her hijab, protestors have been taking to the streets of Iran to demonstrate. Several internet networks already appear to have been closed down, and many services such as Instagram and WhatsApp are unavailable to those on mobile networks. And it’s not the first time that Iran has restricted public access to the internet. November 2019 saw a complete shutdown of the internet in Iran, again following protests in the country.

But the beauty of the internet is that it’s innovative and capable of adapting to any situation. As a result, the people of Iran have the chance to circumnavigate the restrictions put in place by their government.

How is Iran Accessing the Internet

To provide Iranians with freedom of speech, several groups have ensured that internet access in Iran is a reality. The main methods of access to get around the internet shutdown are:

  • Tor Browser: tapping into the need for online anonymity, the Tor browser has been encrypting the online activities of its users since 2008. It achieves this by using multiple layers of encryption known as ‘onion routing’. This method allows Tor to re-route traffic through numerous relay servers and conceal the true source and destination of any data transmitted. Taking this anonymity further, the developers of Tor are recommending that Tor bridges are set up – these are secret Tor relays which hide any evidence of being connected to a Tor network.
  • VPN: one of the most common ways to access the internet anonymously is through a virtual private network (VPN), and this is perfect for the current issues faced by those in Iran. A VPN works by creating a private network across an existing public network. This private network allows users to conceal their identity and location while accessing a local, public network. So, for example, a PC user in Iran could access the internet by rerouting their internet traffic through a server in the US.

Final Thoughts

The suppression of the internet in Iran is clearly a troubling blow for freedom and information. However, the solutions provided so far have allowed Iranians to have a voice. Instead of being silenced, the protestors are now able to upload evidence of the social upheaval taking place. This evidence is now spreading around the world and providing a more honest appraisal of the situation. And this breakthrough has been made possible by the decentralized nature of the modern internet.

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Why Does Your Business Need a VPN?

Cyber Security, Online Security, Ophtek, PC Security, Security, VPN, , , , ,
10
May 2022

Security in business is paramount, and when it comes to IT networks it’s absolutely crucial. One of the best ways to protect your network is with a VPN.

With the number of cyberattacks in 2021 hitting new highs, protecting your IT network has never been more important. The sheer amount of secure data passing across a network in 2022 is remarkable. Accordingly, this data needs to be protected. Failure to do this will only lead to negative results: data leaks, compromised networks, and financial risk. While there are simple steps that your organization can implement, one of the strongest defense strategies is to put a virtual private network (VPN) in place.

What is a VPN?

VPNs have been around since the mid-1990s, but it wasn’t until the internet started to take off in the early-2000s that it became apparent they were necessary for businesses. Since then, they have grown in popularity with both organizations and domestic users. But what exactly is a VPN?

Well, imagine the private IT network you have at your organization. You will have full control over this network and be able to put the necessary security in place. However, what happens when one of your employees wants to connect to your network from a remote location? They won’t be able to connect directly to your network, they will need to use their own internet connection or a shared, public internet connection. As you will have no control over the security of this connection, there’s the potential for major problems.

Nonetheless, with a VPN in place, you can create a secure, encrypted connection between your remote employee and your network. Think of it as a tunnel between two points which is completely protected from any external forces. This allows data to be transferred from your network to a remote connection with peace of mind that it won’t be compromised.

The Business Benefits of a VPN

The benefits of connecting your private business network with external public networks is clear to see, but what are some of the other business benefits of a VPN? Let’s take a look:

  • Geo-locations: for a business with a global reach, the need for geo-independence with IT networks can be a necessity. Global locations, such as China, have much stronger internet access policies that you may be used to. And this can result in direct access to your organization’s network being blocked. However, a VPN will allow remote users in these locations to connect to your network as if they’re in the same state.

For more ways to secure and optimize your business technology, contact your local IT professionals.

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