While no single mitigation strategy is guaranteed to prevent cyber security incidents, organisations are recommended to implement eight essential mitigation strategies as a baseline. On this week's webchat, Tristan and Alice discuss the simple eight steps you should be taking to reduce your risk of a network attack.

These are the "Essential Eight" ways to minimise the risk of cyber attacks:

1.  Application whitelisting and updating: Only running applications you trust and remove any questionable applications 
2. Patch applications: Update your applications regularly 
3. Configure Microsoft Office macro settings: Disable office macros, they are a hotbed of virus activity 
4. User application hardening: Configure web browsers to block Flash (ideally uninstall it), ads and Java on the Internet. 
5. Restrict administrative privileges: Get rid of old user accounts and ensure admin access is only given to users who need it. 
6. Multi-factor authentication: Where possible, enable this function where users are accessing important information and performing a privileged action. 
7. Patch operating systems. - Make sure your operating system is up to date and don't use unsupported versions 
8. Daily backups - Ensure your data is regularly backed up and regularly test that your backups are working 

The more essential items you do, the greater you reduce your risk of a cyber attack. The "Essential Eight" was complied by the Australian Government, Department of Defence the most effective ways to protect you and your data. Most attacks exploit one of more of these items.

If you want to find out more information about how we can help you give us a call on 1300 932 776.