Best practices for protecting digital assets
The protection of digital assets is essential for companies, as it safeguards sensitive data and prevents cyber-attacks that can compromise the operation and reputation of an organization. The following are updated and recommended best practices for protecting digital assets:
1. Implement secure password policies.
Passwords are the first line of defense against cyber-attacks, so their robustness must be ensured. An effective policy should include:
- Complexity requirements: Use of uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers and symbols.
- Minimum length: At least 12 characters recommended.
- Periodic updating: Mandate password changes every 60-90 days.
- Prohibition of reused passwords: Prevent the use of old passwords.
- Password managers: Recommends tools such as LastPass or Bitwarden to store and generate secure passwords.
2. Enable multi-factor authentication (MFA).
Multifactor authentication adds an additional layer of security by requiring more than one proof of identity to access systems. Recommended options include:
- One-time use (OTP) codes sent to mobile devices.
- Biometric verification, such as fingerprint or facial recognition.
- Authentication applications, such as Google Authenticator or Authy.
This drastically reduces the risk of unauthorized access, even if a password is compromised.
Cybercriminals often exploit vulnerabilities in outdated software. Therefore:
- Install updates and security patches as soon as they become available.
- Monitor external dependencies if you use third-party software.
- Automates updates to ensure that no system is left unprotected.
- Regularly audits systems to identify and correct potential gaps.
Common examples include operating systems, browsers, WordPress plugins or libraries used in web applications.
4. Implement the use of encryption
Encryption converts data into an unreadable format that can only be decrypted with an authorized key. It is key protected:
- Data at rest: Uses full disk encryption (such as BitLocker or FileVault).
- Data in transit: Uses protocols such as HTTPS (TLS/SSL) to protect communication between servers and users.
- Sensitive files: Tools such as VeraCrypt or GPG allow you to encrypt specific files.
Thus, even if attackers gain access to the data, they will not be able to interpret it without the decryption key.
5. Train your employees and promote awareness.
Human error is one of the most common causes of cyber-attacks. Training is essential for:
- Recognize threats such as phishing, malware or social engineering.
- Implement good practices, such as not sharing passwords and avoiding the use of unsecured personal devices.
- Conduct periodic cyber-attack drills to evaluate the team’s response.
- Foster a culture of cybersecurity throughout the organization.
Use platforms such as KnowBe4 or internal campaigns to educate your employees about risks and how to mitigate them.
6. Perform regular backups
Secure your digital assets by performing automated backups on secure servers or in the cloud.
- Frequency: Daily or weekly, depending on the criticality of the data.
- Encrypted storage: Ensures that backups are protected.
- Recovery testing: Periodically verify that you can restore data without problems.
7. Monitors and audits systems
The implementation of monitoring systems allows you to detect suspicious activities in real time:
- It uses Detection and Response Systems (SIEM) such as Splunk or tools such as Wazuh.
- Audits access logs and user permissions.
- Set up alerts for unusual activities, such as multiple failed login attempts.
