Consider these best practices for managing risk through automation.
Automation can enhance the way a business does its processes. With advancing technology and growing innovations, processes and operations can now be more seamless and even error-free.
However, automation also exposes your computer network security in danger. This is why applying the best practices is vital.
Best Practices for Managing Risk through Automation
Here are the best practices that a workplace should consider when managing risks through automation.
1. Remember that automation is a double-edged sword.
It is good for the business as it speeds up processes and moves them towards a paperless state. However, this may also put the network more at risk as it opens up new vulnerabilities that a hacker can exploit.
2. Use a centralized security management infrastructure.
This is so that each of your systems is properly secure from one central place.
3. Create an audit trail.
An audit trail in which documents all changes made to the system so that you can track the who, what, when, and where of any changes made to your system.
4. Have a firewall.
Invest in a firewall or a network security management system to secure your network from external threats.
5. Continuously monitor.
Automate and monitor your firewall and network security management system. This is also to ensure that the security remains tight and the risks are at a minimum. Actively monitor vulnerabilities so that they can be fixed as soon as they happen.
6. Unify systems with policies.
Unify your network security management system with your company’s policies and procedures so that all processes are aligned.
7. Embrace automation.
Automate as many processes as possible to automate manual tasks and save time and money. However, do not automate risky processes such as those that involve inputting sensitive information such as passwords, social security numbers, or credit card numbers.
9. Establish secure connections everywhere.
Create a secure connection between your network and the Internet to prevent unauthorized access and cyber attacks against the network and its resources.
10. VPN’s help.
Use virtual private networks (VPN) to create a secure connection between the corporate network and remote users such as telecommuters, business partners, or customers who connect to the network via remote-access software such as Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) or Virtual Network Computing (VNC).
VPNs encrypt all communications going through the tunnel to prevent unauthorized access of sensitive data being transmitted over the Internet or other public networks such as wireless networks at coffee shops or airports.
11. Apply security patches and updates regularly.
Apply security patches and updates regularly and keep your operating systems and applications up to date to keep them secure and minimize the risk of attacks. Actively monitor the network for any vulnerabilities. If there is a security breach, immediately patch it to stop further damages from happening.
12. Strong password policy
Implement a strong password policy to make sure that passwords are long and complex, and change them regularly. Lockout users after a period of inactivity, such as 10 minutes of inactivity, to make sure they are protected from unauthorized access while not using their computers.
