Security Best Practices

Essential cybersecurity best practices aligned with NIST, CISA, and ISO frameworks to strengthen your organization's security posture and risk management capabilities.

Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)

  • Enable MFA for all user accounts, especially administrative accounts
  • Use authenticator apps instead of SMS when possible
  • Require MFA for remote access and cloud services
  • Regularly review and update MFA configurations

Backup Strategy (3-2-1 Rule)

  • Maintain 3 copies of your data (production + 2 backups)
  • Store backups on 2 different media types
  • Keep 1 backup copy offsite or in the cloud
  • Test backup restoration procedures regularly
  • Ensure backups are immutable or air-gapped

Network Segmentation

  • Segment networks to limit lateral movement
  • Isolate critical systems from general network traffic
  • Implement zero-trust network architecture principles
  • Use firewalls and VLANs to enforce segmentation
  • Regularly audit network access controls

Security Awareness Training

  • Conduct regular security awareness training for all employees
  • Train staff to recognize phishing emails and suspicious links
  • Implement a clear reporting process for security incidents
  • Conduct simulated phishing exercises
  • Keep training materials up-to-date with current threats

Incident Response Planning

  • Develop and maintain an incident response plan
  • Conduct regular tabletop exercises
  • Establish clear communication protocols
  • Define roles and responsibilities for incident response
  • Maintain contact lists for key stakeholders and vendors

Vulnerability Management

  • Regularly scan for vulnerabilities and apply security patches promptly
  • Prioritize patching critical vulnerabilities (CVSS 9.0+) within 48 hours
  • Maintain an inventory of all software and hardware assets
  • Use automated patch management tools where possible
  • Test patches in non-production environments before deployment
  • Monitor security advisories from vendors and CISA

Email Security

  • Implement email filtering and anti-phishing solutions
  • Block executable attachments and suspicious file types
  • Use email authentication (SPF, DKIM, DMARC)
  • Train users to identify phishing attempts
  • Enable email security features like link scanning
  • Implement email encryption for sensitive communications

CISA #StopRansomware Alignment

These best practices align with CISA's #StopRansomware guidance and NIST Cybersecurity Framework:

  • Prevent: Implement security controls to prevent ransomware attacks
  • Detect: Monitor systems for signs of compromise
  • Respond: Have an incident response plan ready
  • Recover: Maintain tested backups for rapid recovery

Additional Resources

For more detailed guidance, refer to: