The security of a company’s IT system is one of the pillars of its operational stability and reputation. Yet estimating the true level of this security remains a challenge for many IT managers. It’s crucial to have a clear and accurate picture of the strengths and weaknesses of your infrastructure, whether technical, application or organizational. Here are three strategies to help you effectively assess the security level of your IT system.
1. Internal security audits
The first step in assessing the security of your system is to carry out internal audits. This involves :
Evaluate configurations: Make sure that the security settings of all your devices, software and applications are configured in line with best practice.
Check updates: Obsolete systems are often easy targets. Make sure all your software, OS and applications are up to date with the latest security patches.
Examine protocols: Analyze your access, authentication and data management protocols to identify any gaps.
2. Penetration testing
While audits focus on analyzing configurations and protocols, penetration testing mimics real attacks to assess system resilience.
Test from the outside: Hire an external team to simulate a real attack on your infrastructure. This may reveal unexpected vulnerabilities.
Test from the inside: Simulate an internal threat to assess your system’s resistance to attacks from internal sources, such as a disgruntled employee or a compromised account.
Detailed reports: After testing, be sure to obtain detailed reports identifying vulnerabilities, how they can be exploited, and recommendations for correcting them.
3. Organizational assessments and training
Security depends not only on technology, but also on people. It is essential to take the human factor into account.
Procedural assessments: Analyze your security policies and procedures. This includes access protocols, password policies, incident procedures, etc.
Phishing simulations: Phishing is one of the most common methods of attack. By running simulations, you can assess your employees’ awareness of this type of threat.
Regular training: Make sure your employees are regularly trained and informed about security best practices and company protocols.
Conclusion :
Estimating the security level of your IT system requires a multidimensional approach that takes into account the technical infrastructure, applications, and the human factor. By combining internal audits, penetration tests and organizational assessments, you can obtain a clear picture of your organization’s security posture and put in place proactive measures to strengthen your defense against emerging threats.
