Regular maintenance is crucial for sustaining a robust cybersecurity posture. This quarterly checklist includes essential tasks that should be performed every three months to ensure your defenses remain effective and up-to-date.
System and Software Updates:
Update Operating Systems: Ensure all devices are running the latest versions of their operating systems with all security patches applied.
Update Applications: Check and update all critical applications, especially security software, to the latest versions.
Review and Update Mobile Devices: Ensure that all company-used mobile devices are updated and secure.
Passwords and Access Controls:
Change Critical Passwords: Rotate passwords for sensitive accounts, including admin and any system-level users.
Review User Access Rights: Audit and update user permissions to ensure employees have appropriate access levels, and revoke unnecessary privileges.
Multi-Factor Authentication Check: Ensure MFA is enabled for all critical accounts and systems.
Backup and Recovery:
Verify Backup Systems: Check that all critical data is being backed up regularly and backups are complete and uncorrupted.
Test Data Recovery: Perform a test recovery of data from backups to ensure the process is working correctly and efficiently.
Review and Update Disaster Recovery Plans: Ensure your disaster recovery plan is up-to-date and reflects any changes in your business or IT infrastructure.
Security Policies and Training:
Review Security Policies: Ensure all cybersecurity policies are current and relevant. Update any policies that have changed due to evolving threats or business changes.
Schedule Security Training: Plan and schedule the next security awareness training for employees, focusing on recent threats and reminders of best practices.
Phishing Simulation: Conduct a phishing simulation exercise to assess employee awareness and readiness.
Network and Hardware:
Inspect Network Security Measures: Review firewalls, intrusion detection systems, and other network security appliances for optimal configuration and functionality.
Audit Hardware Inventory: Confirm that all hardware is accounted for, properly secured, and that any unused or obsolete equipment is safely decommissioned.
Environmental Checks: Ensure that physical security measures, such as access controls to server rooms or hardware storage, are intact and functional.
Incident Response and Monitoring:
Review Incident Logs: Examine logs for unusual activity or patterns that could indicate security issues.
Update Incident Response Plan: Review and update the incident response plan to incorporate learnings from recent incidents or exercises.
Schedule Next Quarter’s Audit: Plan the date and scope for the next security audit.
Completing these tasks each quarter is essential for maintaining a strong cybersecurity posture. Regular maintenance ensures that your defenses adapt to new threats and that your organization remains compliant with any regulatory requirements. Keep a record of each completed task and any findings or adjustments made as a result of the checklist. Stay vigilant, stay informed, and continue to prioritize cybersecurity as a critical aspect of your business operations.
Expand Your Cybersecurity Knowledge Throughout the Year!
If you’re committed to maintaining strong cybersecurity practices every quarter, why not extend that commitment throughout the entire year? Our “Year of Cybersecurity: Month-by-Month Roadmap for California Business Owners” roadmap offers detailed guidance and actionable steps for each month, ensuring you’re always one step ahead in protecting your business. From setting up your cybersecurity infrastructure to handling complex threats, this series is your ally in building a resilient and secure business.
🔗 Explore the Year in Cybersecurity
Join us on a year-long journey of cybersecurity excellence with Cybersecure California. Let’s proactively tackle each challenge and seize every opportunity to enhance your business’s security posture.