When a company makes oversights in its IT Governance, Losses are inevitable. Often, the damage to a company's reputation ends up being irreversible. Do you want to avoid this scenario?
Below, we will point out 5 mistakes that you cannot make in your company's IT governance process.
It is worth remembering that the vast majority of errors committed in this area are unintentional. To make matters worse, accidents are only noticed when the negative repercussions begin. It is also very common for problems to be caused by a lack of organization and planning.
As a result, situations such as the exposure of confidential data can occur. As you can see, the repercussions of ineffective governance are serious. Despite everything, it is not difficult to avoid most of these problems. Learn about the most common mistakes below and how to protect yourself.
5 mistakes you can't make in your company's IT governance process:
1. Misuse of Devices
It is inevitable that a company will adopt devices to handle its daily tasks. This equipment can be the company's own or that of its employees. Many companies, after all, have adopted the Bring Your Own Device practice.
It turns out that in both cases there are risks to be avoided. On the one hand, private equipment cannot use corporate resources without strict access control. Without permission levels, for example, sensitive data tends to be exposed.
On the other hand, exclusive access to internal devices is useless if there is no good monitoring. In many companies, users do not encounter any hierarchical barriers to corporate resources. Obviously, it is not safe for just anyone to access the company's databases and servers.
2. Users unprepared to follow safety standards
Perhaps the most common problem of all is the lack of training of users. When dealing with IT solutions, they end up not following basic security standards, compromising the entire sector. The consultancy Gartner even points out that 95% of incidents in the area have this origin.
Disorderly use of resources and lack of security policies
3. Systems and applications adopted without criteria
One of the mistakes you can't make in your company's IT governance process is the use of software and devices. By adopting systems and applications without criteria, your organization's data confidentiality may be compromised.
4. Lack of a security policy
Perhaps the most serious failure when dealing with IT governance is not establishing and disseminating a security policy. It is necessary to guide all employees to avoid the situation described in topic 2. Therefore, remember to explicitly define the responsibilities, procedures and punishments involved.
Allow exceptions to security rules for IT assets
5. Allow exceptions to established governance practices
A set of IT security rules is only effective to the extent that it is respected by users. That is why there can be no exceptions. The security policy must be followed to the letter, regardless of the user's hierarchical level.
These are the main mistakes you cannot make in your company's IT governance process.
In addition to the mistakes already mentioned, it is crucial to approach data governance comprehensively. Many companies neglect the importance of clearly defining data owners, resulting in diluted responsibilities and a lack of control over sensitive information. Effective IT management should include clear policies on who is responsible for what data, ensuring that information security is a priority at all levels.
Governance failures often arise from a lack of clarity about the data lifecycle. Without a defined process for collecting, storing, using, and disposing of information, databases can become vulnerable to unauthorized access and leaks of sensitive data. It is essential to implement robust encryption and access control measures to protect your company’s IT assets.
Another major mistake is the lack of a culture of information security. It is not enough to have policies on paper; it is necessary to ensure that all employees understand and follow the established guidelines. Awareness and ongoing training are essential to avoid incidents caused by negligence or lack of knowledge.
Remember: IT governance is not a one-off project, but an ongoing process of adaptation and improvement. By avoiding key mistakes and investing in a solid information security culture, your company will be better prepared to face the challenges of the digital world and protect its most valuable IT assets.
Want more tips on how to protect your business's technological assets? Check out our article on Top 5 Cyber Threats Your Business Needs to Be Aware of.