Keeping software security has become increasingly important. Security breaches and attacks could result in a significant loss to your company’s revenue. A data breach can cost a company huge tangible losses in the amount of several million. You also stand to lose your customers’ confidence and ultimately the very survival of the business is at risk. Secure software infrastructure is essential to protect your company from cyberattacks. Steps to protect your software infrastructure The following are some of the critical steps you should take to keep your software secure and your customers protected. 1. Software audit Running a security audit will help identify gaps on your network and help fix any potential deficiencies that might lead to security compromise or breach. You can ask experts in IT services like SDI to perform a security audit for you. We can identify the weaknesses or gaps in your system and make recommendations on how you should fix those. Taking the specific needs of your business we could even create a blueprint for keeping your software secure. 2. Security policies The biggest weak link in any organization’s software architecture is usually the employees who have not undergone cybersecurity awareness training. To make them aware training has to be provided and you need to come up with a set of policies and standard operating procedures (SOPs) for the staff. The guidelines should cover all areas of IT security from the network to the mobile device and data transfer. 3. Strong password Your guidelines should include a strong password policy also. You can choose secure passwords with the help of password management solutions. There are several apps that allow you to create company-wide standards in setting passwords. SDI can create a unique and excellent all-around password manager for your organization thus providing a strong defense against cyber attacks. 4. Encryption Using data encryption where necessary is a simple and efficient method to protect your company’s information such as customer data, financial accounts, and other sensitive data. Data should be encrypted to prevent unauthorized usage both at rest and in transit. 5. Data backup solution Having a robust data backup solution can help in your data recovery efforts if your software infrastructure becomes compromised. You have the option of backing up your data in cloud services as they enable you to store encrypted backups via cloud storage. Backup copies allow data to be restored from an earlier point in time to help the business recover from a malicious attack. For best results, backup copies should be made on a regular basis to minimize data loss between backups. 6. Anti-virus software Never miss updating your antivirus software. Malware is a consistent threat to your software infrastructure and some of them are even sophisticated enough to bypass the security measures of your system. When your anti-virus software is up to date, it can detect the latest version of the malware and neutralize the threat. It helps to automate the updating of your anti-virus software so that the systems are always kept safe. 7. Firewall A firewall is a network security device that monitors incoming and outgoing network traffic and permits or blocks data based on a set of security rules. It acts as a barrier between your internal network and incoming traffic from external sources in order to block malware and other viruses. While installing a firewall choose next-generation firewalls (NGFW), as they are able to block malware from entering a network and are better equipped to address advanced persistent threats. 8. Implement a hosted DNS solution End users can unintentionally expose your IT infrastructure to cybercriminals by visiting websites that infect their computers with malware. If this happens, the malicious programs may affect other machines and impact your company’s entire network. A hosted domain name system (DNS) can block these types of websites from loading so that none of your computers pick up the malicious software. A DNS filtering solution can also add business value by providing access to additional metrics and reports on application and website utilization, which can help you make technology decisions. 9. Audit your servers To ensure software infrastructure is as secure as possible, it is important to safeguard your servers. Servers are computers or programs that manage access to a central resource or service in your network. To achieve minimal downtime and to operate your business efficiently proper server support and security are crucial. Periodic audits should be conducted and they should focus on aspects such as user database, file sharing permissions, updates among others. The purpose of the audit is to determine the current level of your server’s security, identify vulnerabilities and create an action plan for fixing those vulnerabilities. 10. Use an anti-malware application Invest in an anti-malware application in addition to anti-virus software. This application can scan all the systems on your network and prevent malware from infiltrating your system through multiple points. This gives an important layer of protection against malware. 11. Secure your WiFi The name of your WiFi is called the service set identifier (SSID), which is what users see when they’re trying to find an interconnection. It is recommended that you change the generic SSID as they often include the serial number of your router and the name of the manufacturer. These can be used by cybercriminals to sneak into your network and steal important data. Also, set up a separate network for guests and reserve your main network only for members of your organization. This is necessary to reduce risk to your software infrastructure. Never fall into the trap of taking some of the software measures for granted. Failure to effectively plan your software security strategy could lead to huge losses. Your business can benefit by outsourcing your software infrastructure management to a company like SDI who can come up with very effective security solutions. Our secure SDLC model consists of a detailed plan that clearly defines the process your organization can follow and benefit from. To know more about software security do not hesitate to call us at 408.621.8481 or you can also email us at team@sdi.la.