Companies often restrict the software or hardware employees are permitted to install on company devices.
The motivation behind those choices might vary, but one important reason is to protect a company and its customers from cybercriminals looking to gain entry any way they can.
These evildoers find their way into a network in a multitude of ways, from employees falling victim on phishing expeditions to the addition of hardware with security issues to applications that are susceptible to malware.
For the victimization of the employees, it is often about clicking on links or attachments that pave the way for cybercriminals. On a hardware level, equipment is sometimes installed without the proper security measures to thwart off bad actors. On some levels, software is common to both: Employees click on links and install corrupted software, and devices sometimes have software or operating systems that allow attackers into a network.
There are numerous techniques that should be utilized to fend off the efforts of hackers, but the majority of them require the skills of experts who, as part of their plan, generally incorporate some type of safety software.
Among the strategies is employing programs that institutes application whitelisting, also called allowlisting, which permits only the software that is listed to be installed. Simply put, if it’s not allowed, it’s blocked from being added to the device or network. This is an almost surefire way of protecting a network from the installation of malicious software.
FTC IT Solutions utilizes Threatlocker as its precautionary tool. Through Threatlocker, a company’s network is scanned and analyzed before completing the allowable list of programs. This process is a time of cataloging all the necessary software and understanding the procedures in place to operate the business. Further, Threatlocker will determine that the various programs have access only to the data they need and if those programs pose any kind of threat.
But the precautionary measures and protection don’t stop there: The rules will then be put in place to protect a network in the event of an attack.
Finally, the Threatlocker team is constantly monitoring software to be sure after updates they are still safe for a company and are allowed the proper access. And if the company wants to add a program, there are analysis mechanisms in place to again be sure it does not pose a threat.
It’s a full-fledged, comprehensive approach, the same one you will get as a client of FTC IT Solutions.
To reach out to the team there, call 888-218-5050. They will provide more information on how they can protect you, your network and your business from hackers who would rather use their power for evil rather than good.
And if you need IT support and would rather not spend your hard-earned resources on an in-house team, FTC IT Solutions should be your first call.
