Database breaches are a very real risk for both enterprise and small or medium size businesses. Doing everything you can to prevent such attacks is important, but even the most secure systems sometimes find themselves at risk. Single-tenant breaches that result from stolen user IDs and passwords are a reasonably common occurrence. They often stem from phishing attacks or malware installed on a device that helps a hacker gain access to the system from a single point of origin. These breaches can sometimes be difficult to track but can be extremely damaging. If you experience a hack that compromises your information, here’s what you need to do.
Step 1. Shut It Down
As soon as you notice that you have been compromised, you need to shut down the computer, storage, or other device that has been compromised. This will help to prevent any further activity on behalf of the attacker until the problem has been resolved.
Step 2. Evaluate the Breach
Once you are sure that no further damage is being done by the hacker, you need to audit the security system to figure out how the hacker gained access and what they did while they were in the system. Then IT needs to isolate the hackers and remove their access from the system.
Step 3. Secure the System
To reduce the risk of the same hacker gaining access after re-securring the system, it is crucial to have users change their passwords before they are granted access once again. This will essentially reset the network and allow business to proceed as usual, assuming the hacker was not able to do any lasting damage while they had access.
Addressing the Root of the Problem
Once an attacker is kicked out of your system, you should take a moment to evaluate how your network vulnerabilities led to the breach in the first place. Consider the attack to be an opportunity to invest in tighter security protocols and learn from the incident to prevent future hacks. Here are a few things you should make sure you are doing for a more secure system.
- Proactive Monitoring – ensure that any unusual activity is identified quickly and responded to effectively. One example is monitoring from access from foreign IP addresses or for multiple login failures.
- Encryption – consider using data encryption that will protect your business-critical files even if hackers are able to breach your system again.
- Multifactor Authentication – requiring users to provide multiple forms of identity verification (a password and mobile device request, for example) will provide better protection at all levels of access.
- Review Security Services – identity and access management or other native security services provided by your network provider may be worthwhile to help you build a more secure network. This is particularly true for cloud services as such companies often invest in the latest in modern security mechanisms that are designed to protect your information.
Moving your data to the cloud can be a little intimidating, but rest assured that Happy Faces Records Management has the security and accessibility of your files at the heart of their business model. Reach out to a representative today to learn more about our services.
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