5 Tips for Secure IT in a Mobile Computing Environment

Ever evolving information technology (e.g. smart phones, tablets, cloud computing) deliver increased mobility, productivity and ROI… but they also provide growing mobile IT security concerns. Here are 5 tips to help guard against mobile IT security breaches and data loss:

Design Safe Systems for Mobile IT Security

Decrease exposure to hackers by limiting access to your technology infrastructure. Reduce points of failure by prohibiting unnecessary access to equipment, software and data. Minimize potential damage to your networks by using a unique set of domain names, logins and email addresses for each user, work group and department.

Screen New Hires and Conduct Background Checks

While external hackers get most of the attention, the majority of mobile IT security breaches occur from inside network firewalls. Screen all prospective employees. And after hiring, institute an initial trial period during which new employees are monitored for risky network activity.

Provide Basic Training

Most data losses occur as a result of human error or carelessness. Build a corporate culture that emphasizes computer and mobile IT security via training programs that communicate the risks of sloppy password practices and the careless use of devices and data. All security precautions, from proper records disposal to protocols for changing/sharing passwords, should be explained and enforced.

Deploy an Industrial Strength Virus Scanner and Keep all Software Up-To-Date

Keeping software of all types up-to-date is crucial. Schedule and install frequent downloads of security updates and patches to guard against new viruses and variations on older ones.

Use a Robust, Reliable, and Easily Managed Backup Tool

Being able to address multiple forms of data loss is critical. Is it a workstation or is it a server that needs a restore? Is a bare metal restore required? Is it a physical device that needs to be brought online quickly in a virtualized environment? All of these issues should be considered when choosing your backup tools.
A backup solution for computer and mobile IT security such as Kaseya Remote Backup provides real-time automated disk remote backup, disk imaging and bare metal restore for Windows servers and workstations. Unlike conventional file-based only products, Remote Backup creates an image of the entire system state (including operating system, business applications, user settings, drivers and data) giving administrators the framework to completely rebuild a downed system in less than an hour.

Source:
http://www.us-cert.gov/cas/tips/ST04-001.html