Introduction
Information is a key aspect of any organization. It simplifies organization survival and decision-making. To enable information security and grant organizations a competitive advantage, strategies of preventing information against loss or theft are, therefore, a mission-critical issue in current society. Organizations have to successfully use various prevention strategies to ensure the information within their systems is safe, reliable, and available for strategic decision making and contribute to fixing business continuity. Poorly managed information can improve information risk thus, resulting in lawsuits, monetary loss, and the end of an organization. With adequate prevention strategies in place; fewer resources, time, and expertise, are saved in case security is compromised (Slater, 2011).
This paper explores prevention strategies that prove important to the organization in safeguarding information. The paper points out prevention measures in terms of backup strategies, internet security, and viruses as important approaches an organization has to undertake to confirm information protection.
Prevention Strategy of Securing Information in Organization
Prevention contributes significantly to safeguarding information in an organization. It encourages protection by rendering the prospect dreadful. Preferably, prevention strategy gives a correlation of physical decree computation (Slater, 2011). Computer security is all about prevention, thus; this strategy has played a basis for information safety in every sphere in the information world.
Back-Up Strategies
According to Slater (2011) information helps to manage an organization. Without accurate information, an organization ceases to exist because most major decisions are anchored on accurate and timely information. Many risks are prevalent in our current business world. They range from natural disasters such as earthquakes to man-made such as fires and others. Hence, to prevent loss of information as a result of their occurrence, the organization has to ensure that a safe and effective backup is in place to rely on when such a catastrophe strike. According to Disaster Recovery World (2011) planning and implementing an information backup strategy for most organizations sometimes seems a formidable task, however; this shouldn’t be the case. By embracing practical steps, an organization can be able to conceive a backup strategy that addresses their information needs.
One of the steps is identifying a classic strategy. An organization has to consider the latent impact of a disaster to be addressed so as to be well versed with the associated risks; perhaps, these are the principles upon which a clear and detailed disaster recovery strategy is anchored. After carefully analyzing the underlying risks, an organization can then develop a backup system that should be tested, sustained, and audited to enhance its viability and appropriateness with the requirements of the organization (Disaster Recovery World, 2011). Secondly, creating a disaster plan, a solid disaster plan is mandatory for safeguarding the organization and enhancing its survival. As earlier mentioned, creating a strong disaster plan is elusive for most organizations, however, an organization can benefit from embracing tools such as; disaster recovery templates, generator among others. These templates come with convenience forms and thus they serve as a guideline or some execute a plan directly to reduce the disaster planning period. With this tool in hand, complexity is simplified, organization productivity increases, and in the end, a quality method is executed. The third is disaster recovery training. Setting up a recovery plan without proper training can prove inappropriate for an organization. Training provides the required knowledge of how the plan has to be executed across the organization. Training has to be anchored on organization culture and recovery policies. This is because; the organization culture is fixed on security policies necessitating firmness and continuity. The organizations policies should exist, be comprehensive, and up to date to support training requirements (Disaster Recovery World, 2011). Lastly is contingency audit assurance. A contingency plan should be present and monitored at all levels right from the beginning. This will confirm risks are noted and appropriate decision-making is applied in case a requirement is omitted.
Information Loss from Internet Security and Virus Threats
Protecting information from electronic risks in present organizations is not only pinpointing for viruses. The endless connection of organization information systems on the WAN possesses a more serious risk (Berghel, 2005). Hence, this not only increases the chances of virus filtration but also poses the risk of exposing organization information to competitors, phishing scams, and other security breaches which might prove delinquent for an organization.
Viruses and malware software can sweep data loss besides creating an array of other problems on organization information. This can range from; deletion of files and corrupting vital information systems (Booth, 1993). Besides, the internet can encourage malicious individuals to gain access to organizations bank accounts, credit information and impersonate organizations identity, hence; these threats can cause organizations vulnerable if no prevention strategies are in place to restrict them.
Viruses are regarded as the most common threat to organization information. A Virus is malware software which has is designed to operate quietly on computer systems, in most cases, it executes damages without being noticed. Viruses are typically spread through file transfers, email attachments, or file downloads from anonymous websites. Keylogging, malware is closely linked to information viruses. It is a program that quietly executes its activities without a user noticing. It can be tailored to run on a local information system or located in a remote location. The most interesting fact about this malware is that it maintains records of keys that a user models and relays the same information to a hacker. Thus, acquainted with this information, a hacker can aptly obtain passwords, user names, and other private information about an organization or an individual. Additionally, equally important to mention is phishing. Phishing is a common internet threat to information systems. This occurs when individuals maliciously masquerade as genuine service or account that an individual or an organization commonly uses with an intention of tricking users into revealing their private information (Berghel, 2005). This malpractice is often spread through a link or email which seems legitimate and authentic.
To prevent threats, an organization has to involve several prevention strategies. One of the strategies which have been proved important is employing the use of effective and up-to-date antivirus and internet security programs. Most organizations in the present day employ the use of antivirus software’s to secure their organizational information. Whereas this proves to be successful, an antivirus alone can’t actually guarantee the security of information systems (Booth, 1993). A software package, which incorporates the capability of scanning and safeguarding computer systems against key loggers, malware and embraces real-time strategy in detecting unauthorized access to information systems can aid in stop this threat. Additionally, the firewall has come in handy in preventing phishing, virus, and keylogging.
A firewall is mainly software or hardware that serves as a buffer between organizations’ information systems and the internet. An organization can configure its use to facilitate certain kinds of information it views necessary to be relayed between its information systems and the internet. This will imply that only information that an organization allows, is what will be transmitted. A firewall reduces the likelihood of invasion from keyloggers, hackers, worms, and other malware on information systems. Consequently, organizations should develop a habit of assessing their credit reports annually. This is important in the sense that, it helps to monitor if identity has been altered electronically (Booth, 1993). Besides, subscription to other companies which provides real-time credit checking and scam protection can help organizations strengthen their prevention and save resources, time, and integrity. However, this service comes with a fee.
Conclusion
Organization information is essential in sustaining and enhancing business continuity. Without adequate strategies in preventing exposures to risks in terms of loss, theft, and the virus can lead to wastage of resources, time, and in extreme conditions collapse of an organization. Thus, prevention strategy in my view is best suited for an organization in safeguarding its information and enhancing continuity.
References
Berghel, H. (2005). The two sides of ROI: return on investment vs. risk of incarceration. Communications of the ACM, 48(4) pp. 15-20
Booth, S.A. (1993). Crisis Management Strategy: Competition And Change In Modern Enterprises, New York: Routledge
Disaster Recovery World, (2011). The Business Continuity Planning & Disaster Recovery Planning Directory. Web.
Slater, D. (2011). Business Continuity and Disaster Recovery Planning: The Basics. Web.