Nextep’s Proven Security Methods

Beth Dean 02.28.23
Nextep weekly tip - Nextep's data security methods

How our security methods protect your data

When it comes to cybersecurity, physical locks and security cameras won’t cut it anymore. Today’s cybercriminals are sophisticated and relentless, and they can find their way into your network through a variety of digital backdoors. That’s why a comprehensive cybersecurity strategy should address not only physical and environmental security but also data, logical, and network security.

You’ll need a range of tools to protect your organization’s data. Here are just a few of the security measures our IT Team, under the management of Brian Bennett, has put into place within Nextep’s own (physical and virtual) walls.

Physical and Environmental Security

Protecting the physical building and servers is vital. Nextep’s protections include electronic access control systems, monitored alarm systems, state-of-the-art security cameras, and environmental monitoring systems for the server room. Plus, our backup generator ensures our building has power even during an outage.

Data Security

But that’s just the beginning. We also safeguard data through encryption for storage and hard drives, VPNs for employees and third-party service providers, and regular cybersecurity training for employees. To keep our team sharp, we test them regularly with phishing simulations. We also use email encryption and/or encrypted communication channels for transmitting sensitive data.

Logical Security

For logical security, an identity management platform with multi-factor authentication is essential for secure single sign-on. A remote monitoring and management platform helps us secure and remotely disable or wipe mobile devices. For our privileged users who require extra security measures, we utilize privileged access management tools to restrict their access.

Network Security

Finally, for network security, methods we employ firewalls with an intrusion detection and prevention system to detect and prevent malicious network activity. Endpoint detection and response agents on devices help us stay ahead of the curve, and a managed detection and response service monitors for malicious device activity 24/7.

Data security measures are, at the end of the day, only as good as the people who use them. That’s why one of the most critical aspects of security is thorough, ongoing employee training. Our people know what to look for, what to be wary of, and when to sound the alarm to our hardworking IT department.

By implementing these measures, we’ve created a multi-layered defense that’s robust and resilient.

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