[For businesses] Information security measures to be aware of during long holidays

Long vacations are a valuable opportunity to refresh yourself and spend time with your family, but they also increase information security risks. If a security incident occurs, the system administrator will be absent for an extended period, which could cause major problems for the company, such as delayed response or unexpected damage

Here we will explain the information security measures you should be aware of during long holidays

Things to do before going on vacation

Check the security settings of your cloud service

Before going on a long vacation, we recommend reviewing the security settings of the cloud services you use. By removing access privileges from unnecessary users and keeping privileges to a minimum, you can reduce the possibility of information leakage and quickly identify the cause if a leak does occur. It
is also important to check your login history to see if there is any access from unknown devices.

Implementing multi-factor authentication

Multi-factor authentication (MFA) refers to an enhanced security system that uses multiple authentication methods to verify your identity, rather than just one

By implementing multi-factor authentication, you can prevent unauthorized logins to your account and prevent unauthorized logins due to password leaks or theft. Multi-factor authentication is particularly used by financial institutions that handle confidential customer information such as account information

*For more information on multi-factor authentication, click here

Backing up your data

The three major elements of information security are "confidentiality," "integrity," and "availability." Data backup is an important task for ensuring "availability." Availability refers to the state in which necessary information and services are available when needed

In case your data is lost or altered or deleted due to a ransomware attack, it is important to back up your data regularly. It is especially important to back up your important data up to date before going on vacation

Checking devices that you might forget

Before going on vacation, be sure to update the operating system and software versions of any devices you use at home or on the go (smartphones, tablets, laptops, etc.)

These updates include "security patches," which are programs that service providers periodically distribute to users to fix vulnerabilities in operating systems, applications, software, etc. If vulnerabilities are left unaddressed, they can be used as a route for unauthorized access from outside, and internal data may be tampered with or deleted

Don't forget to update your version as this will fix the vulnerability

Security training for staff

It is also important to educate employees about information security before going on a long vacation. It is especially important to raise awareness of security by warning them about phishing emails and suspicious links. Also, communicate internally to prevent any issues during the vacation

summary

A long vacation is the perfect time to refresh your mind and body, but it's essential to take thorough measures against information security risks. Companies that use cloud infrastructure can enjoy their vacation safely by implementing these measures. Be sure to prepare in advance and enjoy your vacation with peace of mind!

Reference website: https://www.ipa.go.jp/security/anshin/measures/vacation.html

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