How to get secure in ten minutes

Each year, October is European Cyber Security Month (ECSM). To raise awareness, but also to share knowledge and organise interesting events around this subject. This year’s themes are #CyberFirstAidKit and #CyberSecurityFromHome. 

Our increased working from home prompted #cybersecurityfromhome - because we’re all sharing more (work related) things, files and images. So even if we’re not all doing in-depth developer work, it’s crucial that each individual in the company works securely and has their computer work protected. We’ve collected a couple of things that you and your employees can do to increase your and their security at home. 

We carefully selected them so they will not take more than seven minutes to implement. This way, you can just organise a cybersecurity-update-coffee-break, or do it right before lunchtime. We might be stating the obvious here, but you’ll be surprised how often these kinds of things are overlooked. To stress the seriousness of it all: every 11 seconds, a business falls victim to ransomware. Yep, that’s 38 businesses in the seven minutes you need to finish up this checklist.

Ten minutes is all it takes. Ready? 

• Update your devices 
  Time to get it started: 2 minutes
  What you’ll gain: software that is up to date with all vulnerabilities that have been found after the last update
  
  Hackers love software vulnerabilities. Weaknesses found in a software are usually patched up in the latest release, so if you don’t update frequently (or even: immediately), those weaknesses are still there. And the longer you don’t update your software, the more hackers know of possible vulnerabilities. If they get access or place malicious software, you’re very far from home.
  
  The most essential here is the antivirus software - the program that will stop Trojans, worms and spyware from entering your working environment. Have a Mac? Don’t think you’re dodging the bullet here! Although Apple is pretty quick on their feet with vulnerabilities they still slip through sometimes. So: update your iOs. ;) 
  
  Actually… If you want to extend your coffee-security break and have a walk outside: keep all your software updated. Check if your operating system requires updates and if it’s been a while, schedule them for when your workday is over. Once done, you can check the box that says ‘automatically update’ - this way you don’t have to manually check it.
  

• Activate a password vault
  Time to get it started: 2 minutes
  What you’ll gain: secure password usage
  
  A password vault, also called a password manager, remembers your passwords for you. You can access the password vault via a single username and master password. Some of the vaults are integrated in browsers, and some also help you by generating secure, random passwords. This way you don’t have to create a random password every time, or don’t fall into the habit of re-using the same password for everything.
  

• Back-up your files
  Time to get it started: 2 minutes
  What you’ll gain: software that is up to date with all vulnerabilities that have been found after the last update
  
  It’s the worst feeling in the world: knowing you worked on a document or project and losing it due to a crash or even: a hack. Keep your files backed up - set a reminder each week or let your files update automatically. Make use of cloud storage to ensure you have your files in 2 places, not just one.
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• 2 Factor Authentication
  Time to get it started: 3 minutes
  What you’ll gain: A more secure way to enter your accounts
  
  Set up two-factor-authentication. As Neil J. Rubenking puts it: "There are three generally recognized factors for authentication: something you know (such as a password), something you have (such as a hardware token or cell phone), and something you are (such as your fingerprint). Two-factor means the system is using two of these options."
  
  No longer just one thing that the hacker can breach, but two things that will definitely make it harder for your digital personal space to be invaded. So, set it up. Make use of a smart 2FA for your personal use, but most important: for your work mail or shared documents. 

What are you waiting for? Start now! 

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