Practical Security

Simple Practices for Defending Your Systems

by: Roman Zabicki

Published 2019-02-13
Internal code rzsecur
Print status In Print
Pages 132
User level
Keywords Computer security, hacking, security basics, security best practices
Related titles
ISBN 9781680506341
Other ISBN Channel epub: 9781680506686
Channel PDF: 9781680506693
Kindle: 9781680506662
Safari: 9781680506679
Kindle: 9781680506662
BISACs COM053000 COMPUTERS / Security / General
COM043050 COMPUTERS / Security / Networking
COM043050 COMPUTERS / Security / Networking
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Highlight

Most security professionals don’t have the words “security” or “hacker” in their job title. Instead, as a developer or admin you often have to fit in security alongside your official responsibilities — building and maintaining computer systems. Implement the basics of good security now, and you’ll have a solid foundation if you bring in a dedicated security staff later. Identify the weaknesses in your system, and defend against the attacks most likely to compromise your organization, without needing to become a trained security professional.

Description

Computer security is a complex issue. But you don’t have to be an expert in all the esoteric details to prevent many common attacks. Attackers are opportunistic and won’t use a complex attack when a simple one will do. You can get a lot of benefit without too much complexity, by putting systems and processes in place that ensure you aren’t making the obvious mistakes. Secure your systems better, with simple (though not always easy) practices.

Plan to patch often to improve your security posture. Identify the most common software vulnerabilities, so you can avoid them when writing software. Discover cryptography — how it works, how easy it is to get wrong, and how to get it right. Configure your Windows computers securely. Defend your organization against phishing attacks with training and technical defenses.

Make simple changes to harden your system against attackers.

Contents and Extracts