Enhancing Server Security: Best Practices for Companies

Keeping your company’s servers safe is more important than ever. Servers store valuable data, run important applications, and are the backbone of many businesses. An unsecured server puts your entire operation at risk. The good news is that, according to the experts over at Hillstone Networks, you can take steps to ramp up server protection.

Use Strong Authentication

The first line of defense is using tough authentication methods to allow only approved individuals to access servers. Ditch simple password logins in favor of more secure options, such as:

• Multi-factor authentication (MFA) requiring a code from a separate device.
• Biometric ID like fingerprints or facial recognition.
• Security keys that generate single-use login codes.

Making authentication stricter prevents hackers from easily guessing credentials and gaining entry.

Keep Software Updated

Software updates often include crucial security patches that fix vulnerabilities cybercriminals could exploit. Outdated software leaves openings for attacks.

Set systems to automatically install updates as soon as they become available. This ensures that you always have the latest security fixes in place. If auto-updates are not possible, designate someone to regularly check for and install new updates.

Limit User Permissions

Not every employee needs full control over servers and data. Follow the “principle of least privilege”, which only grants users the minimum level of access required for their job duties.

For example, accounts used by regular staff might have read-only permissions, as well as while admins have full read/write access. Placing limits reduces the potential damage from compromised accounts.

Use Firewalls

Firewalls monitor traffic entering and leaving your network, blocking anything suspicious or unauthorized. They provide an essential layer of security.

Lots of businesses use:

• Hardware firewalls – physical devices inspecting traffic.
• Software firewalls – programs running on servers/computers.
• Cloud firewalls – firewall services for cloud-based resources.

Firewalls allow you to control exactly what data flows in and out, based on pre-set rules.

Encrypt Data

Encryption scrambles data so that it appears like gibberish to anyone without the decryption key. This prevents snoops from understanding stolen info.

Some of the more common encryption practices are:

• Use HTTPS for websites to encrypt info sent over the internet.
• Encrypt data stored on servers using full disk encryption.
• Encrypt backups and any data leaving your premises.

Encrypting all sensitive information makes it worthless if intercepted by hackers.

Monitor & Log Activity

Imagine a burglar sneaking into your home and no one noticing for months. That is how it can feel when server breaches go undetected.

Implement robust monitoring that logs and alerts you about:

• Successful and failed login attempts.
• User activity like file uploads/downloads.
• Configuration changes to server settings.
• Unusual traffic patterns that could signal an attack.

The sooner you spot suspicious behavior, the faster you can respond and limit damage.

Back Up Data Regularly

Even with strong security, disasters can still strike and can include hardware failures to malware outbreaks. This is why maintaining current backups is vital.

Aim to:

• back up data at least daily to a secure off-site location.
• test backups periodically to ensure they’re working properly.
• encrypt backup data during storage and transfer.

With backups on hand, you can quickly restore servers if needed without losing critical information.

Conclusion

Diligently following security best practices means you will give your company servers the protection they need. It takes some effort, but safeguarding your digital assets is well worth it. Robust server security ensures that your business can operate smoothly with no disruptions from cyber threats. Investing the time and resources into shoring up vulnerabilities provides peace of mind and allows you to focus on driving your company forward rather than scrambling to clean up after damaging attacks.