Practical advice to help you be more secure online

Consider your machines, be aware of your own behaviour, and connect with care.

How are you protecting your sensitive data and personal information? Your cybersecurity could be at risk if you’re not implementing these fundamental precautions in your daily digital life…

Rule #1 | Maintain your security software

Obvious, right? We know. But life is hectic. It’s easy to forget a software renewal or security update when you’re busy at work or caught up in the daily realities of family life.

Having up-to-date security software, a modern operating system, and the latest version of your favourite web browser will strengthen your overall defence against cyber threats like viruses and malware.

Rule #2 | Safeguard all your web-enabled devices

How often do you connect to the Internet? And how do you do it? Tablet? Mobile phone? Smartwatch? Gaming console?

The computer on your desk is not the only machine that needs protection from online dangers. Think about the smaller devices on your wrist, in your hand, or in your pocket. They need to be shielded from cybercriminals, too.

Rule #3 | Pause before you plug and play

External hard drives, flash drives, and other plug-and-play peripherals are susceptible to the same malicious infections that could jeopardise your computer.

Stop and think before you connect a new device to your machine. Do you know what’s on that USB stick? Do you trust the person who gave it to you? Even if you do, run a security scan anyway.

Rule #4 | Crank up your login credentials

Usernames and passwords aren’t enough to protect important assets like your email and online banking accounts. Opt for the strongest authentication tools available to you: iris scans, fingerprint scans, and one-time codes will add extra layers of security to your logins.

In the absence of multi-factor authentication, make sure you create powerful passwords unique to each account. Include a mix of alphanumeric and special characters, and use uppercase and lowercase letters. Do not rely on easy-to-guess passwords like 12345678 and QWERTY. Ever.

Rule #5 | Look for proof of protection

When you’re banking or shopping online, check that the website is secure. Look for the https:// in the URL so that you know your connection to the website is encrypted.

Some web browsers provide visual cues about website safety… For example, a padlock icon in the URL field to indicate a secure website. Verify that protective measures are in place before you enter sensitive personal or financial information.

No technology is impervious to cybercriminals, but you can improve your personal cybersecurity by being more responsible online, today and every day.

BUI is an official Microsoft Partner in South Africa, and an award-winning leader in identity and security solutions.

October 8, 2018
admin

Five basic cyber security rules you need to start following today

Our commitment to ensuring business continuity – even in the face of disruption – has been recognised by the British Standards Institution.

We’re proud to announce that we have earned ISO 22301 certification after a rigorous independent evaluation by the British Standards Institution last month. The ISO 22301 badge is recognised internationally and sets the standard for Business Continuity Management Systems.

“This certification highlights the strength of our company’s business continuity strategy,” says Gayle Roseveare, our Chief Operating Officer (COO) here at BUI. “It proves to our staff, partners and customers that we’re prepared for any eventuality – and that we’re able to serve and support the people who rely on us, no matter what. Our ISO 22301 badge represents our commitment to effective risk management, organisational resilience, and reliability – even in the face of disruption,” notes Roseveare.

What is ISO 22301?

Developed by the International Organisation for Standardisation, ISO 22301 lays out a framework to help companies like ours create, implement, and maintain a comprehensive business continuity management system (BCMS). The main aim is to ensure that companies are protected against unforeseen business challenges and equipped to respond and recover when such events do occur.

“BUI is a global company with offices in East Africa, South Africa, the United Kingdom and the United States,” says Roseveare. “On any given day, our teams are provisioning cloud infrastructure, monitoring and securing digital environments, and delivering a wide range of IT services to customers. We operate around the world and around the clock – and we have to be able to do so continuously. Whether there are power outages in South Africa or internet connectivity issues in Europe, we need to ensure we can deliver uninterrupted services to our customers. Our ISO 22301 certificate validates our planning for disruptive incidents and disasters.”

Why is ISO 22301 certification important?

“In an unpredictable business climate, it pays to be prepared,” explains Dhiren Boodhia, our Group Governance and Compliance Manager. “And that goes double for service providers like us. To earn our ISO 22301 certificate, we had to demonstrate that we have a thorough BCMS in place; that the staff in our various offices understand the BCMS and the processes required to sustain it; and that we are focused on maintaining business continuity and sustainability regardless of market uncertainties and challenges. I think the ISO 22301 badge is an important differentiator – especially when customers are looking for a steadfast technology ally that is as dedicated to legal and regulatory compliance as it is to protecting the business resources of the organisations it works with,” he says.

For customers who choose to partner with BUI, there are five key benefits, adds Boodhia.

Consistency. ISO 22301 emphasises the importance of consistency when it comes to best practices and business processes. “We’ve been assessed on our capabilities around risk assessment and impact analysis as well as our strategies for mitigating disruptions. Our teams excelled in every area – and that means our customers can expect the highest standards of service and care from everyone at BUI,” says Boodhia.
Data protection. With the cyber threat landscape evolving so quickly, data privacy and data security are critical considerations for customers. “ISO 22301 includes extensive conditions for data protection and data recovery,” notes Boodhia. “Our ISO 22301 badge, together with the ISO 27001 certification we achieved for our commitment to information security management, should give our customers even greater confidence: we handle all data respectfully and safely.
Faster recovery. “ISO 22301 requires us to have a holistic strategy in place to deal with disruptions and disasters. It also mandates a detailed recovery plan to ensure that downtime is minimised – for our company and for the business organisations we serve,” says Boodhia. “BUI customers can be assured that, in the event of an issue, our teams will follow a step-by-step framework to resolve the problem as quickly as possible.”
Greater compliance. By achieving ISO 22301 certification, BUI has met the global benchmark for business continuity management, adds Boodhia. “Many of our customers operate in highly regulated industries, like financial services and healthcare, and they must adhere to their own standards in terms of the services they provide to their clients. BUI is committed to maintaining essential functions during adverse circumstances – and that’s a big plus for customers who have strict compliance obligations.”
Peace of mind. ISO 22301 calls for certified organisations to update and improve their business continuity processes to ensure that their strategies remain current, relevant, and effective. “We’re obligated to adapt and enhance our BCMS plan as our company grows,” explains Boodhia. “It’s good news for our customers because it means we’re always prepared. Whatever happens, the BUI services and solutions that so many businesses utilise every day will be available.”

Our commitment to your success

ISO 22301 may be our newest certification, but it’s also a testament to our unwavering focus on our customers, notes our COO. “To be a dependable, reliable technology partner, you need to anticipate the challenges you’re going to face and then take the necessary steps to ensure that you can address those challenges as soon as they arise. We’re being proactive today so that we’re ready for tomorrow – and always on hand to help our customers be productive, secure, and resilient,” Roseveare concludes.

Do you have a disaster recovery plan in place?

Our experts can help you craft a comprehensive backup strategy aligned with your business structure, your IT resources, your budget, and your goals.

Contact our team to arrange a discussion today.