BYOD: 10 ways to fight back

The adoption of BYOD policies in SMBs means that IT has to protect devices that they didn’t even specify, procure or configure. In addition, most companies are now multi-platform, blending in Linux and the Mac with their mainstay Windows client and server systems.

Unless regularly audited, maintained and protected, these devices, applications, operating systems and assorted bits of hardware and software become increasingly vulnerable, and make easy targets for experienced cyber criminals.

Failure to commit adequate resources to identify vulnerabilities within your network, and take adequate security precautions to mitigate the risk they pose can easily lead to damaged computers, lost or stolen data, fraud, lawsuits, cybercrime, and violation of compliance regulations. Your business can lose money, get taken to court, or even go out of business.

As an IT professional or service provider, you are responsible for helping to avert security disasters. Here are ten best practices for vulnerability assessment and security in a multi-vendor network. Implement all ten and the chances of a successful attack are nearly eliminated, – and if a hacker does break through, you’ll know how to survive.