A Firewall Will Do Nothing to Stop a Crowbar

Let’s say that a small business, maybe even one of your neighbors, just poured thousands of dollars into the latest and greatest security software and firewall system. You’re impressed… until a disgruntled employee walks in one night, nothing to stop them, and takes a hammer to the server they have behind an unlocked door.

Suddenly, there’s one less small business, and there was nothing that expensive security software could do about it.

Modern Cybersecurity is Great, But Does Nothing to Stop a Swinging Crowbar

We’re all guilty of it to some degree: so much focus and attention are given to the cyberthreats businesses face that we often completely forget that old-fashioned crime is still a concern. All the passwords and encryption in the world are useless against a determined criminal who isn’t afraid of getting their hands a little dirty.

You need both: protections against digital threats and defenses to keep the physical aspects of your business safe.

What are the Primary Risks Physical Infrastructure Faces?

Unsecured Infrastructure

If anyone can get to your servers, anyone can mess with them… from a disgruntled employee to a curious client to a malicious entity.

Resolving this issue is as simple as properly storing servers and other critical network equipment in a controlled space, both in terms of environmental conditions and access control.

Employee Equipment

If any employees work on the go, they will need to bring their technology with them. As a result, this technology is vulnerable to theft, especially when used in public, but it can also be stolen from an employee’s vehicle or bags.

The key to resolving this issue is to emphasize the importance of vigilance, especially when working in public. Ensure team members are aware not to leave their business technology unattended, and, more importantly, that they adhere to this principle.

Visitor Access

While you may very well have visitors regularly coming into your office, from vendors to clients and everyone in between, there’s no reason that they should ever be unescorted or left unattended in the building… and particularly not milling around your workers and glancing at their screens.

The solution to this is relatively simple: all visitors must sign in and out, and will be escorted throughout the building.

Old Equipment

It can be very tempting to simply toss an old piece of equipment, whether it’s a broken laptop or burnt-out hard drive, and not worry about it ever again. Unfortunately, both environmental and business security reasons make this an unacceptable practice. First, most computer hardware (from infrastructure to peripherals) is made with some material that damages the environment. Second, a committed cybercriminal is not above dumpster diving if it means they get their hands on some data. 

To keep your data safe (and do some good for the environment), you should instead enlist a professional recycler with a certified process to ensure that all the tech you give them is disassembled, all hazardous materials are removed, and the data storage media are properly destroyed. Alternatively, if you wish to donate your equipment to those in need, ensure that the hard drives are replaced and the old ones are properly shredded through the above process.

Your Security is Essential… All the Different Kinds of Your Security

At White Mountain IT Services, we take security seriously. We’ve a holistic approach to protect our partners at every level, considering every angle before making our expert recommendations. You could enjoy the fruits of this approach, too!

We want to help you secure your business from the inside out. Get started by calling us at (603) 889-0800.

White Mountain IT

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