To be most effective, these strategies must be documented in a comprehensive guide that includes who is responsible for operations and how they will be carried out.
An intranet , which is an internal online environment that houses company resources, can be very useful for employees. An intranet can have areas to download important documents, conduct research, access HR resources, communicate and collaborate with other employees, and more. The following video highlights the difference between intranets and the internet.
Intranets face many of the same security challenges as other online environments, as well as some unique challenges. So what is intranet security ? Why is intranet security important? And how do you secure an intranet?
What is intranet security?
A common myth is that intranets are secure because data is stored on a company's network. However, threats, unfortunately, do not just come from external sources, but from within companies, from employees who may or may not be intentional in the damage they cause. In the sections below, we examine intranet security best practices to help you achieve and maintain protection against risks, including employees, network security threats, security breaches, and viruses.
Use intranet security best practices
While much of intranet security depends on behind-the-scenes processes that users will never see, some of them require user participation. Carriers can configure security protocols like those listed here to provide another layer of protection.
Passwords. Despite repeated warnings from the IT community, weak passwords are still commonly used. Make sure your intranet forces employees to choose strong intranets that are at least 12 characters long and include uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and special characters.
Secure login protocols. These protocols enable easy, centralized authentication management and secure mobile access. They include single sign-on (SSO), Active Directory (AD), and lightweight directory access protocols (LDAP).
Digital signatures/certificates. This technology helps operators ensure that a person is who they say they are. Documents that use digital signatures/certificates are encrypted and can only be used if both the sender and recipient have the correct password.
Transaction confirmation. This process involves sending a paper or electronic message confirming that a transaction is legitimate and has been completed.
Limit what data is allowed
Intranet operators must be aware of what data is on their intranet. Employees should be limited in the information they can post. For example, some intranets become bogged down with confidential information, opinions and statements not supported by the company, or unauthorized games and other programs. These applications present liability and security risks and should be eliminated.
Limit access
Access control means limiting who in your organization has access to what information. Employees should only be able to access the data they need to do their job. To enforce it, ensure your intranet platform enables strong permissions roles and features.
That is, each team member should be assigned roles based on their roles and then given permissions based on those roles. This method has the additional advantage of reducing the amount of superfluous information that each worker has access to, reducing the possibility of getting lost in irrelevant data.
Managers should also be limited in the employee information they can access. At worst, they can use this information to increase prejudice against certain employees or be perceived as such. Either way, it is a liability threat to the organization.
To further limit access to certain information, documents can be encrypted through the browser. This type of protection is essential when allowing employees to view sensitive information, such as 401(k) statements or pay stubs, or medical information through company-provided insurance. Operators must also set browser controls to ensure they do not display cached data.
Protect hardware
While it is easy to conceive that cyberattacks only happen in the digital world, it is important to remember that digital assets are housed on physical hardware. This hardware must be equally protected against intrusion and theft. If cyber criminals can access hard drives or USB sticks, they can gain access to data and passwords. If they can gain access to routers or servers, they can gain access to networks. Access control systems, as well as video surveillance, can prevent unauthorized access to physical equipment.
Educate employees
No matter what processes or procedures are in place, they won't help if team members don't know how to use them properly. Therefore, employers should include intranet security in their general cybersecurity training. Employees must understand why certain processes are in place and how to make the best use of them. For example, they should be trained in developing effective passwords, properly logging in and out, and using digital certificates.
Remember that much of the common advice for general cybersecurity also applies to intranet security, including not sharing login credentials, not clicking links or opening attachments from unknown sources, and double-checking unusual instructions from anyone claiming to be a company executive or other authority. figure. In addition to running courses and seminars, assign an IT employee to answer team members' questions and continually check their progress.
Unfortunately, employees often find cybersecurity education, including intranet security, uninteresting. If possible, find ways to convey this information in an engaging way, such as through gamification or quizzes. You can even create teams of employees to see which ones can achieve the highest scores over time. The best education is interactive and ongoing.
Document intranet policies
To be most effective, these strategies must be documented in a comprehensive guide that includes who is responsible for operations and how they will be carried out. The guide should include protections for remote workers with access to the company intranet and any connected mobile devices. It should also include steps to take in the event of a breach and instructions for reviewing actions based on current threats.