The basics are still your best security tool
It doesn’t take the latest statistics to demonstrate the importance of security for credit unions. From ransomware to e-mail, perpetrators can be relentless in their attempt to find a way into systems and accounts – or to wreak havoc on the smooth operation of your organization. Even with the sophistication of preventive tools and techniques, the basics are still best for combatting security issues on a daily basis.
Yes, passwords work.
Regular reminders to employees to practice regular password hygiene are a good idea. Be sure passwords and passphrases are a minimum of 14 characters – and don’t reuse passwords. You might also consider using a password manager like KeePass. It’s easy to get complacent about passwords, but consider this: 80% of data breaches are the result of poor or reused passwords, according to Verizon. That’s quite a motivation to keep passwords up to date.
Your device matters.
The ease of apps and accessibility makes it tempting and convenient to work from anywhere. That’s fine if you have the right protections and protocols in place. However, it’s a good rule of thumb to avoid accessing the credit union network from a personal or home device. It creates a security risk, making it worth the extra care of using a work device.
