The term “Cyber Hygiene” appears in several guidelines and regulations including NIS 2 (the Network and Information Systems Directive) but what exactly is cyber hygiene, and why is it so important?
What is Cyber Hygiene?
Cyber hygiene forms part of your overall cyber security programme and refers to a set of routine practices and behaviours that individuals and organisations adopt to ensure the security of their digital environments. Much like personal hygiene protects your physical health, cyber hygiene safeguards your digital life from threats such as malware, data breaches, and unauthorised access.
Why is Cyber Hygiene Important?
Embedding Cyber Hygiene habits into an organisation brings many benefits, including:
Reducing the Risk of Data Breaches
Poor cyber hygiene can leave vulnerabilities that hackers can exploit. Simple mistakes, like using weak passwords or ignoring software updates, can lead to significant breaches.
Reduced Downtime
Proactively maintaining your digital environment reduces the likelihood of malware infections or system failures, saving time and resources.
Building Trust
Customers and stakeholders are more likely to trust organisations that demonstrate robust cyber practices.
Core Elements of Cyber Hygiene
Cyber Hygiene is not explicitly defined, however core elements may include:
- Strong Password Management.
- Regular Software Updates.
- Backup Strategy.
- Network Security Measures.
- *Awareness and Training.
- Device Maintenance.
Cyber Hygiene and ISO 27001
If you would like assistance implementing a cyber hygiene programme, or need support aligning with standards like ISO 27001: Get in touch to learn how we can help secure your digital future.
