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Writer's pictureLeopold Giterson

Basic CIS Controls for SMB's

The CIS Controls (Center for Internet Security Controls) provides a set of best practices to help organizations protect against cyberattacks. These are especially crucial for small and medium businesses (SMBs) as they establish strong defenses without needing a large IT department or budget. The Basic CIS Controls are considered the foundation for cybersecurity, and implementing them can significantly reduce risks. Below is a breakdown of these controls and how 5 Star Technology can assist in implementing them effectively.



1. Inventory and Control of Enterprise Assets

  • What it Means: Track all devices connected to your network, such as computers, smartphones, and tablets, to identify unauthorized devices.

  • Why It’s Important: Keeping track of devices ensures that rogue devices do not introduce vulnerabilities to your network.

How 5 Star Technology can help: 5 Star Technology offers managed IT services that include network management. We can help monitor all devices connected to your network and ensure unauthorized devices are flagged and removed. Our continuous monitoring service ensures that your asset inventory stays updated in real time, reducing risks from untracked devices.



2. Inventory and Control of Software Assets

  • What it Means: Maintain an up-to-date inventory of all software applications installed on company devices.

  • Why It’s Important: Unapproved software can pose security risks by containing vulnerabilities or lacking security patches.

How 5 Star Technology Can Help: Through software management and support, 5 Star Technology can help SMBs by maintaining software inventories and ensuring that only approved and secure software is in use. We will also manage and track software licenses on your devices for you to remain compliant with your license and subscriptions.



3. Data Protection

  • What it Means: Identify sensitive data, where it's stored, and apply proper controls like encryption and access restrictions.

  • Why It’s Important: Protecting sensitive data prevents breaches and complies with regulatory requirements.

How 5 Star Technology Can Help: 5 Star Technology can assist by providing data protection services, such as encryption and secure backup solutions. We can also implement access control measures, ensuring only authorized personnel can view or manipulate sensitive data. Our data backup and disaster recovery services ensure your business data remains safe in case of a breach or loss.

 

 

4. Secure Configuration of Enterprise Assets and Software

  • What it Means: Securely configure devices and software according to best practices to reduce vulnerabilities.

  • Why It’s Important: Default configurations can often leave systems vulnerable to attacks.

How 5 Star Technology Can Help: With our device and software setup, 5 Star Technology Solutions can assist in configuring your network, servers, and devices securely from the start. We help you establish security baselines to prevent exposure to threats from misconfigurations and unnecessary services.



5. Account Management

  • What it Means: Manage and control user accounts, ensuring that only authorized individuals have access to sensitive systems and data.

  • Why It’s Important: Poor account management can lead to unauthorized access, especially if inactive accounts remain open.

How 5 Star Technology Can Help: 5 Star Technology can implement Identity and Access Management services to ensure proper account control. They help manage user permissions, set up multi-factor authentication (MFA), and regularly review user accounts to prevent unauthorized access or internal misuse of credentials.



6. Continuous Vulnerability Management

  • What it Means: Regularly identify and fix vulnerabilities in your system before attackers can exploit them.

  • Why It’s Important: Continuous vulnerability scanning helps catch and fix issues before they are exploited.

How 5 Star Technology Can Help: Through our cybersecurity solutions, 5 Star Technology can run vulnerability scans on a regular basis. We can also help ensure that critical patches and updates are applied to all devices, reducing the risk of exploitation. Our proactive approach helps ensure that vulnerabilities are dealt with before they can be used against you.



7. Audit Log Management

  • What it Means: Maintain logs of all critical activities, such as login attempts and system changes, to detect and investigate suspicious activities.

  • Why It’s Important: Without logs, it’s hard to detect breaches or investigate incidents after the fact.


 

Summary of Services:

  • Managed IT Services: Proactive device and network management to ensure security and efficiency.

  • Cybersecurity Solutions: Continuous vulnerability monitoring, firewall protection, and patch management.

  • Data Backup and Recovery: Secure backup solutions and disaster recovery planning to protect against data loss.

  • Identity and Access Management: Account management services with MFA and regular audits to prevent unauthorized access.


By partnering with 5 Star Technology, small businesses can benefit from professional cybersecurity solutions tailored to their needs, ensuring compliance with basic cybersecurity controls while maintaining business productivity. For more information on how 5 Star Technology can help, you can visit our IT services page.

 

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