Nowadays many Small Business (Service Providers) are required by their clients to provide the assurance that their data and sensitive private information are protected while in Service provider ‘s possession. Although not all these Service Providers are mandated by the government to adhere to the strict compliance rules such as HIPAA but their clients are strongly asking for it. Some Clients draw documents or contracts detailing the steps to be taken and security measures to be implemented while the Service Provider is working on their files, tax returns, credit history, financial investment, etc. or while their data is stored on their network.
Professionals such as bankers, accountants or attorneys are familiar with these requirements. And the bigger firms and agencies already have implemented these IT Security measures and have been compliant for a while. Now it is the smaller practices’ (Businesses) turns. Some of these requirements are outlined below:
- Encrypting the data
- Encrypting the email
- Password policy
- Multi-factor authentications
- Patch management (OS and 3rd party software)
- Protecting the server and workstations using the latest Antivirus, Malware
- Firewall and router management, including update policy
- Intrusion detection
- Employee training
- Wi-Fi Policy
- Remote Access and BYOD (bring your own device) policies
The above items have sub categories. For example, the password policy requires to be complex and changed every 90 days. The Multi-Factor Authentications may require devices such digital token to let you sign on.
In some cases, the client wants the Service Provider to carry a Cyber Security insurance as well! And all the insurance companies require the above-mentioned items and maybe more to be implemented or complied with.
About Us:
IT21ST is a Los Angeles IT Support & Cloud Solutions company. For over 31 years, it21ST has assisted many small businesses located in the Los Angeles area in various industries to implement compliance policies, to secure their network and protect their data.
Protecting your data and eliminate your network security vulnerabilities are our number one goal. For a free network security analysis call us at 855-448-2178 or visit our website www.it21st.com.
