Last updated at 13:00, Tuesday, 19 February 2013

INDELIBLE Data has recently teamed up with Quality Guild to produce an Information Security Standard for SMEs aimed at assuring organisations that the supplier is capable of handling information appropriately.

The standard is independently audited to give customers extra confidence and should improve competitive edge when tendering for new contracts.

As demand is increasing throughout Cumbria, Indelible Data has opened a new office in Carlisle to complement its presence at Westlakes Science Park.

It is a well known saying that “security never sleeps” and the new Aglionby Street location will ensure this important message is passed to more and more supply chain companies in the north and east of the county.

Five New Year’s security resolutions for SMEs

The update to the NIA’s Essential Guide to Nuclear New Build is scheduled to be released soon, and in it I indicate that we must presume every component of our nuclear supply chain is a target for industrial espionage and even terrorism. With this in mind, here are some useful resolutions to help start the New Year as you mean to go on:

1. Use strong passwords and change them regularly: These should be at least eight character none dictionary words, have a mixture of upper and lower case letters and contain numbers or punctuation. Hackers have lists of all known names of people and even fictitious characters.

2. Be careful of abbreviated links: Such links are synonymous with social media – but be careful and don’t click them without checking. Use a website such as http://urlxray.com to verify the link is going to the expected place and not to a site that could infect your computer (and even steal passwords).

3. Password protect / encrypt important files: This will add a layer of protection to the information in the event of a breach. Such a breach could be as simple as sending sensitive information to the wrong person in error via email.

4. Use virus protection software: Malware is constantly evolving and is vital that you always allow auto-updates.

5. Backup important files (including paper documents): This is often overlooked. Remember that other companies are relying on you to meet their deadlines. If you can’t provide a service because vital information has gone missing, then it is unlikely that you will be considered in future contracts.

Tony Wilson is a Certified Information System Security Professional at Indelible Data. He can be contacted on 07773 080503 or tony@indelible-data.co.uk

First published at 13:31, Sunday, 03 February 2013
Published by http://www.nwemail.co.uk