The Top Enterprise Security Flaws and How to Fix Them with IT Security Solutions
As organizations continue to modernize, technological innovations increase to meet the growing demands for new ways to improve efficiency and output.
However, these advancements also bring greater cybersecurity risks—especially with the growing influence of artificial intelligence (AI). While 66% of organizations believe AI will reshape cybersecurity this year, only 37% have implemented processes to assess the safety of AI tools before integrating them into their operations. Many organizations also lack comprehensive cybersecurity measures, leaving their IT environments vulnerable to cyber threats.
If you fall into that camp, you might wonder: How can I start building a new, safe, and resilient IT environment? The first step is to proactively address your infrastructure’s weaknesses, which will strengthen your security posture before a cyberattack wreaks havoc.
This article explores the most frequent enterprise security weaknesses that organizations encounter. Keep reading to gain strategies on how to fix them!
Top Flaws When It Comes To IT Security
1. Unsecured wireless networks
Connecting an organization’s office to the Internet has never been easier or more cost-effective. While wireless networks provide convenience and savings, they can also introduce significant security risks.
Simply plugging in a wireless router and creating a basic network is insufficient for a secure connection. Without a strong password, anyone within range can connect—potentially leading to network congestion, performance issues, and security breaches.
Aside from unwanted users slowing your network, an unsecured connection provides an easy entry point for attackers to intercept sensitive data, deploy malware, or gain unauthorized access to critical systems. Once inside, hackers and criminals can use relatively simple tools and knowledge to capture your data and even launch attacks on the network and any connected computers.
Internet service providers often use easy-to-guess passwords when installing your router, such as your organization’s main phone number.
You can avoid this network vulnerability by changing these default passwords immediately to a unique, complex password and storing the information in a secure location.
2. Outdated email security practices
If your organization has upgraded its email system in recent years, your email infrastructure is likely secure, especially if you’re using a cloud-based service or a trusted platform like Microsoft Exchange, both of which typically offer advanced security features and robust scanning capabilities.
However, if you’re still using an older system, such as POP (Post Office Protocol) or one that doesn’t encrypt passwords (“clear passwords”), your organization may be vulnerable to cyber threats. Without encryption, sensitive data can be intercepted by anyone with the right tools and expertise.
If your email system lacks modern security protocols, consider upgrading to one of the more secure email solutions that includes encryption and phishing defense. Many modern email systems offer advanced protection against phishing attempts, helping to block malicious emails before they can reach your inbox and compromise your data.
Your organization should also consider the role your employees play in email safety.
When a pharmaceutical trade association partnered with designDATA as their managed IT service provider, they enjoyed enhanced enterprise cybersecurity through our advanced IT security solutions and security awareness training, which included hands-on simulated phishing tests that helped empower their staff to further strengthen the organization’s cybersecurity posture.
3. Inadequate mobile device security
Mobile devices offer organizations a great way to ensure employees stay connected and productive, especially if they work in a remote or hybrid model. However, without proper security measures, connecting these devices to your office systems can put your network at risk.
For example, if an employee links their work email to a tablet without enabling a screen lock and then loses the device, unauthorized users could easily access sensitive company information. Additionally, employees installing unverified applications may unknowingly introduce malware, which can spread across your network and cause significant disruptions.
To mitigate these risks, mobile device security must be a top priority. Strengthen your endpoint protection by implementing the following measures:
- Secure employee devices with passcodes
- Establish robust security policies for personal and company-issued devices
- Leverage mobile device management solutions to prevent your BYOD policies from introducing risks to your network security.
4. Neglecting anti-malware software maintenance
Neglecting regular updates and patches for anti-malware software leaves your organization vulnerable to ransomware, viruses, and emerging cyber threats.
Updates provide critical security enhancements, including newly identified threat databases and fixes. Without these updates, your system relies on outdated detection methods, making it easier for bad actors to exploit security gaps, bypass defenses, and gain access to sensitive data or disrupt operations.
In addition to ensuring that all organizational devices have anti-malware software installed and updated, it’s important to regularly review and adjust its settings for optimal performance. Many anti-malware tools offer real-time scanning, scheduled scans, and alert features that can be fine-tuned to maximize ransomware prevention and malware protection.
Importantly, make sure to schedule those scans outside of your operating hours! These updates can be disruptive; if employees turn off the scans to avoid interruptions, your systems are at risk.
5. Lack of firewalls
A firewall is a network security device that controls incoming and outgoing traffic. Many modems or routers have built-in firewalls; however, these may not be sufficient for business needs.
An ineffective or missing firewall leaves your organization exposed to threats, as firewalls serve as the first line of defense against unauthorized access and malicious traffic. Without one, your system is essentially open to the internet, making it easier for hackers to infiltrate your network, compromise sensitive data, disrupt services, or launch cyberattacks.
To mitigate these risks, your organization must prioritize robust firewall management to monitor traffic, filter out harmful data packets, and allow legitimate communications.
A strong firewall should protect the entire network, especially at key entry and exit points for data. To ensure your firewall operates at maximum effectiveness, it’s best to partner with an experienced IT professional to install a business-grade firewall. An IT provider specializing in managed security services can also offer ongoing monitoring and regular updates, ensuring your firewall evolves with emerging threats and attack strategies.
The Role of an IT Partner in Comprehensive Security
Maintaining network security involves many moving parts, making it challenging for organizations to keep up with evolving threats. Partnering with an experienced IT provider is a strategic solution, as they have the expertise and resources to develop a tailored cybersecurity framework that meets your organization’s specific needs.
When you partner with designDATA for our managed services, we focus on establishing comprehensive cybersecurity solutions and managing them effectively, so you can have peace of mind and focus on what you do best—running your organization.
Ready to secure your business with a trusted IT partner?
Let’s connect to discuss our approach to boosting enterprise cybersecurity for DC organizations and beyond, keeping you one step ahead of cybercriminals.
