Recent technological advancements have made people and things more interconnected. Unfortunately, people with malicious intent are also taking advantage of this capability. With this, the security of information systems has become more paramount for any organization. The purpose of this customizable Social Engineering Awareness Policy, written by Maria Carrisa Sanchez for TechRepublic Premium, is to ...

Portable storage media — which includes USB flash drives, SD or micro-SD cards (and the devices that contain them), and external hard drive units — allow employees to access or back up business data both inside and outside the office. However, the ease of use presented by portable storage devices can also place companies at ...

The concept of zero trust implies organizations must work under a constant worst-case scenario. This means assuming breaches are inevitable and that no entity or users — coming from within or from outside the organization — should ever be trusted. This “never trust, always verify” approach significantly reduces the attack surface and minimizes the potential ...

Numerous instances of disaster scenarios outside organizational control have affected companies and their personnel as of late, with disastrous results. This includes hurricanes, tornadoes, blizzards, wildfires, floods, and earthquakes.  Knowing when to close the business in the face of a disaster is only one side of the coin. Determining whether and how long to remain ...

Machine automation technology can enhance organizational operations across various market fields, with potential for countless implementations. Its popularity and usefulness can be attributed to the many benefits of this technology, which can include reduced operational costs, higher production rates, and enhanced output quality. The purpose of this customizable policy, written by Madeline Clarke for TechRepublic ...

When employees leave their workspaces behind — whether that’s for the night, the weekend, a longer vacation, or just a quick lunch break — they may leave behind potentially sensitive information where it can easily be accessed by unauthorized parties. Unsecured USB drives, data files left open on desktops and printouts of confidential documents are ...

Organizations must frequently work with third parties to repair laptops, desktops, tablets, smartphones, servers, and other IT equipment.  This customizable policy, written by Erik Eckel and Mark W. Kaelin for TechRepublic Premium, ensures an organization maintains regulatory and best business practice security compliance while tracking systems when they are being repaired. Featured text from the ...

Windows is not without certain issues and flaws, of course. Like any operating system it has been exposed to numerous vulnerabilities, both deliberate (viruses) and unintentional (exploitable holes in programs or processes). This policy, written by Scott Matteson for TechRepublic Premium, provides guidelines for securing Windows on company computers or computers used to conduct company ...

Remote work has become a staple in the business world, especially in light of some companies permanently closing their office locations and transitioning their employees into a full remote work environment. The purpose of this policy, written by Scott Matteson for TechRepublic Premium, is to establish appropriate guidelines for the remote workforce, including what sort ...

Employees part ways with organizations for a variety of reasons. Some of these reasons are simple: finding a job elsewhere, taking time off to spend with the family, or relocating to a different state. But some separations are more complex: a layoff due to company difficulties or reorganization, position elimination during a merger, or termination ...