Keep It Safe: Public Sector IT Security Essentials

Government agencies and other public sector organizations handle massive amounts of sensitive data from both the public and their employees. This makes them a prime target for cyberattacks because cybercriminals can steal a large amount of information in just one attack. There are many public sector IT security essentials we recommend having in place, whether that is through an in-house team or a trusted cybersecurity vendor.

The Importance of Public Sector IT Security

As we’ve discussed, public entities hold on to a great deal of sensitive identifying information such as health records, addresses, phone numbers and Social Security numbers, making them an attractive target for cybercriminals.  

As a government agency, you know that cyberattacks could impact data and your constituents, but they can also disrupt public services, wreaking havoc on citizens’ well-being.  Incidents are also costly on many levels, from compliance regulation fines to losing the trust of the people you are trying to serve.

Key Strategies for Securing Public Sector IT Systems

The best way to defend your organization is to implement these public sector IT security essentials.

Adequate Cybersecurity Funding and Resources

The first step in having a strong cybersecurity posture is to ensure you have enough funding and resources to invest in these solutions. You’ll need to hire a team of some sort, whether that is in-house or a cybersecurity company with public sector IT security experience like Aeko. Beyond hiring cybersecurity support, you’ll need to invest in technology and infrastructure to keep you safe.

Zero Trust Security Architecture

With a zero-trust model, you assume that no device or user can be trusted by default. This means strict authentication and verification are needed for every attempt at accessing files or data. This approach will minimize the risk of unauthorized access as hackers are less likely to have access to the verification method.

Encryption and Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)

Speaking of verification methods, one of the best ways to ensure your sensitive data is not accessed is with MFA. This adds a protective layer around your login credentials. If the cybercriminal doesn’t have access to where the code is being sent, they won’t be able to get in.  

Another way to keep data under wraps is through encryption during transit and at rest. If the information gets into the wrong hands, they won’t know what it means unless they have the decryption key.

Regular Security Audits and Patch Management

Software inevitably comes with vulnerabilities, which are exploited by cybercriminals. So conducting regular audits is vital, as are regularly updating your software. Software updates come with new features and new security protections from those known weaknesses.

Continuous Employee Training

Regularly training your employees on cybersecurity topics like how to spot phishing emails or handling data securely is key. Your employees are the first line of defense in spotting cybercriminals but often fall short. Regular training helps fortify your defenses.

Incident Response and Recovery

No matter how many different solutions you have in place or how good your cybersecurity team is, breaches can still happen. This is why we always recommend having a comprehensive incident response plan. For public sector IT security plans, we suggest outlining steps for detecting, containing and recovering from the attacks. Another important piece is clear communication plans with important employees, regulatory bodies and other key stakeholders.

Collaborative Security Efforts

Cyber threats evolve quickly, and public sector organizations should work together to stay ahead. Sharing information about emerging threats and vulnerabilities between agencies, law enforcement and security professionals helps build a stronger, more resilient defense against cyberattacks. 

Whether or not you are in the public sector, cyber threats evolve very quickly. Partner with other public organizations in your area and work together to stay ahead. If your organization suffers a breach, share the information you learned with others and vice versa.

Find Support with Aeko

We believe that strong public sector IT security is essential for safeguarding sensitive data, maintaining trust and protecting vital services. We highly recommend taking a layered approach and implementing many different security solutions that work for your organization. 

If you’re ready to boost your security, we’re here for you. Book a meeting with us today.