One effective security measure that can significantly enhance your protection is “whitelisting.” But what exactly is whitelisting, and how can it benefit your business? This post aims to explain whitelisting, so you can consider if this cyber security strategy is right for your business.
What is Whitelisting?
Whitelisting is a cyber security strategy that allows only pre-approved software, applications, and websites to operate within your network. Much like a guest list for a private event; only the names that appear on the list are allowed in. Similarly, whitelisting involves creating a list of authorised programs that can run on your company’s computers and servers. Everything else, which is not on this list, is blocked by default.
Why Australian Business Owners Should Care About the Essential Eight
The Australian Cyber Security Centre (ACSC) includes whitelisting as one of its “Essential Eight” strategies for mitigating cybersecurity incidents. This inclusion highlights the importance of controlling the digital environment in which businesses operate. By implementing whitelisting, organisations can significantly reduce the risk of malicious software (malware) infections, as only approved software can execute on systems.
This proactive approach aligns with the ACSC’s broader goal of creating resilient digital infrastructures that not only prevent security breaches but also minimise the damage should breaches occur.
Whitelisting helps achieve this by ensuring that only trusted and verified applications are allowed to function, thereby safeguarding critical data and operations against unauthorised access and interference.
How Does Whitelisting Work?
The concept of whitelisting in fairly straightforward.
Identifying Legitimate Applications: The first step is to identify all the software tools and applications that are necessary for your business operations.
Creating the Whitelist: Once you have a clear understanding of what needs to run on your network, these applications are added to the whitelist.
Enforcement: Your cyber security system then allows only the applications on the whitelist to operate. Any software not on this list is automatically blocked, preventing unauthorised programs from executing.
However, implementing whitelisting can be time consuming and, without the right support, it could impact business operations.
How To Safely Implement Whitelisting in Your Business
Implementing whitelisting can seem daunting, but with a structured approach, you can effectively enhance your cybersecurity measures. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you get started:
Assess Your Software Needs: Begin by conducting a thorough inventory of every piece of software your team uses, including operating systems, applications, and data management tools. This includes everything from essential productivity software to specialised tools specific to your industry.
Establish Your Whitelist: Based on the inventory, develop a comprehensive list of applications that are approved for use. This list should only include software that is necessary for business operations and known to be secure.
Choose the Right Tools: Implement whitelisting through security software that supports application control. Many endpoint security solutions offer whitelisting capabilities that can be configured according to your needs.
Set Up Policies: Define clear policies regarding software installation and updates. Policies should specify who can approve new software additions to the whitelist and the process for doing so. This helps maintain the integrity of the whitelist over time.
Deploy in Phases: Roll out the whitelisting process gradually. Start with a test group of users or departments to refine your whitelist and address any operational issues before deploying it across the entire organisation.
Train Your Team: Educate your employees about the new security measures. Ensure they understand the importance of whitelisting and the procedures for requesting new software additions. Training helps minimise resistance and ensures smoother implementation.
Monitor and Update Regularly: Whitelisting is not a set-and-forget solution. Regular monitoring is essential to ensure that the whitelist remains effective against new threats. Review and update the whitelist periodically to include new, safe applications and remove obsolete or unsupported software.
Prepare for Exceptions and Contingencies: Have a process in place to handle exceptions responsibly and swiftly. There may be instances when an employee needs software that is not on the whitelist. Establishing a quick, secure process for evaluating and approving such requests is crucial to maintaining both productivity and security.
Whilst these steps will help you successfully implement whitelisting in your business, you can also consider seeking support from a cyber security expert like Jam Cyber. With us, we can take care of your whitelisting for you!
Whitelisting is not just about cyber security, here we list the key benefits of implementing this strategy for your business:
Enhanced Security: By only allowing pre-approved applications, you drastically reduce the risk of malware infections. Malicious programs simply won’t run because they’re not on the approved list.
Better Control Over IT Environment: Whitelisting gives you greater control over the applications used in your business, ensuring that only necessary and safe software is used by your employees. This can help improve productivity and employee online safety.
Reduced Costs: With fewer unwanted or malicious programs causing issues, your IT support team will have fewer problems to solve, leading to reduced costs and less downtime. By undertaking a whitelist audit, you may also be able to reduce the total cost of online subscriptions for your business.
Considerations Before Implementing Whitelisting
While whitelisting is a robust security measure, it requires careful planning and management:
Initial Setup: Setting up a comprehensive whitelist can be time-consuming, as it involves evaluating all the software your business uses.
Maintenance: The whitelist needs regular updates as new software or updates to existing applications are rolled out.
Potential Disruption: If a necessary application is accidentally not included in the whitelist, it could disrupt business operations until the oversight is corrected.
Is Whitelisting Right for Your Business?
Whitelisting is particularly beneficial for industries where security is paramount, such as finance, healthcare, and legal sectors. However, any business that wants to enhance its cyber security can benefit from this approach. It is most effective when used in conjunction with other security practices, such as regular software updates, comprehensive employee training, and strong next generation antivirus.
Whitelisting can be a powerful cyber security tool. It offers a proactive approach to security by only allowing trusted applications to run, significantly reducing the likelihood of malware infections.
To get help with your whitelisting, contact our team today.
We have been with Jam Cyber for years and we couldn't be happier. Their cyber security is second to none. Each month they also send out training videos to advise what to look out for with cyber threats being everywhere these days. If you want everything fully protected, I strongly suggest signing on with Jam Cyber - Max Sollmer - General Manager - Storm Support Services
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The team have been assisting us for 10+ years with IT and cybersecurity issues.
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Easy to communicate with and very professional.
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Professional, responsive and good to deal with.
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Always a great experience! Fast and easy fix with Kurt. thank you JamCyber.
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Great individualised service.Ferdinand took the time to work through the process with me and customise the prompts to work for our business.
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Jasper was very responsive and helpful when it came to setting up my work laptop
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The team actioned my Citrix issue the same day. They were courteous enough to contact me via call and email to let me know they are about to connect and work on the issue. I watched how Jasper (the tech) sorted and resolved it right away. He even made sure all is good before he jumped off the chat. Thank you.
Marie M.
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I am grateful for the help that Kurt D. provided to immediately resolve the issues my work laptop was having. He was patient and committed to find the solution. He did a great job.
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Highly recommend Jimmy and Jam Cyber. They have helped our firm for years they go above and beyond and resolve every issue we have in a timely manner, can always count on them to be there to help when needed.
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quick communication and friendly staff.
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Excellent service from Dianne. She very patient and knowledgeable and resolved the issues. Thank you! Highly recommend using Jam Cyber.
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I am extremely satisfied with the IT support I received in resloving my internet connection issue. The response was prompt, and Jasper was incredibly knowledgeable and professional. He patiently guided me through each step. My connection is now stable. I highly recommend their services to anyone in need of technical assistance.
Managers M.
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Jamcyber have been super helpful with our migrations and IT support.very professional and quick responses to our requests for assistance with our cyber security.
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Jimmy at Jam Cyber Security is absolutely fantastic! He has been helpful and informative and always has a professional and positive attitude in the work that he does.
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The team at Jamcyber and Cyber security are absolutely amazing! They have assisted me with all technical, IT and security related matters in an efficient manner. I would highly recommend Jimmy and the team for all IT and security needs.
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Jam Cyber is very reliable cybersecurity solution. Its clear instruction and skyrocket effectiveness in threat detection and strong customer support, make it an excellent choice for small to medium-sized businesses. Their comprehensive protection and ease of use justify the investment. Highly recommended for businesses seeking a dependable cybersecurity solution.
Joyce N.
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Ferdie is an extremely friendly, professional person to deal with. It is always a pleasure to have him help me through my issues.
Kate Aubrey B.
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Jam has been a very helpful for our company's cybersecurity. Very approachable team plus has deep understanding of the latest threats have kept our systems secure and our data protected. The level of service and support we receive is great. Recommend them for any cybersecurity needs! Thanks, Jam Team!
Adellie L.
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The tech support team was fantastic. They were responsive and knowledgeable. I highly recommend their reliable and efficient support services. Thank you Dianne and Jimmy for the outstanding help!
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Jimmy Gao from Jam Cyber is great - he is very responsive, quick to resolution and knowledgeable. I would higher recommend Jimmy for all your IT and cyber security needs.
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Without Jimmy we could not function. He has the answer to all our IT questions and solves every problem we face. And it's all done with a smile!
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Jimmy from Jam Cyber is extremely helpful and professional. He has been dedicated and attentive in resolving our issues and always carry’s a positive attitude.
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Jam Cyber have been extremely helpful. A big shout out to Jimmy Gao who is always ready and able to help. He definitely makes our jobs easier and smoother, especially with the new system upgrade we just rolled out. It would not have been possible without him.
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Jimmy at Jam Cyber is amazing! He has put in a lot of time and effort in transitioning our business to a new cloud based platform. He is attentive and resolves issues with minimal fuss. Highly recommend Jimmy for your IT needs.
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Jimmy Gao at Jam Cyber is professional, responsive and incredibly knowledgeable. Our firm is lucky to work with Jimmy who always provides top quality support and has really helped us with our IT projects and cyber security. I highly recommend Jimmy and the Jam Cyber team.
James T.
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Jamcyber has provided The Dataline Group with specialist IT support for many years. We always receive prompt service and we always obtain the right outcome, thanks to the knowledge and expertise of Ian and Ferdinand. I recommend this business.
Tong T.
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Jimmy completed a comprehensive review of our current set up and provided a cost effective solution that met our needs.Very friendly and easy to deal with
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Professional and reliable service. Resolved all my problems quickly.
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We engaged their services for a comprehensive suite of IT solutions, encompassing email hosting, IT support, and office network file sharing. Their responsiveness and professionalism were exemplary, earning our highest recommendation.
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I've been with Jam Cyber for 15 years and love dealing with Markus and Ian and all staff. Best value in Australia.
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Jamcyber has been great with our cyber security roll out and migration to Microsoft 365.Jimmy and the team is very knowledgeable and quick to respond. It is good to have a support that you can actually talk to over the phone. Highly recommended.
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Balance Insurance - Jam cyber has been a big help with my cyber security and voip services. Jimmy and his team is always quick to respond and professional. highly recommended.
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Excellent IT support & cyber security. Highly recommend - fast response time & professional service.
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Jam cyber helped me quickly and effortlessly with my IT issue.
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Jam Cyber has provided us with exceptional IT services for years now. Jimmy from Jam Cyber is professional, responsive and very knowledgeable across all things to do with our IT needs. Jam Cyber assists with all aspects of IT at including cyber security and selecting the best hardware for our firm.
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Awesome quick response always! Jam Cyber help us with Cyber Security and IT for our firm! Very helpful and always available!
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We highly recommend the services of Jam Cyber who have been managing all of our IT and Telecommunications plus Cybersecurity for over 12 years. The team at Jam Cyber have been amazing, their systems and procedures have kept our IT operations running smoothly the entire time and their response timing and availability has been excellent.Thanks and regards,Andrew FinlaysonManaging Director Carrington Property Group
christopher K.
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We have used Jam Cyber for 8 years and been very happy with their service. They have been there when we needed them
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Competent, confident, consistent, caring. Markus, Jimmy (and now Ferdi, Blair, May) and the team's level of service has not waned since 2012; they treat their customers, regardless of size, with integrity and professionalism. The picture included here is non IT/techie because although the team "live and breath" IT, they know how to speak to non-IT/techies.
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Golden Age has used Jam Cyber for the last 2-3 years to support our cyber security and IT needs. They have always been responsive and solved any problems that came up. Would recommend!
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The team are very knowledgeable and are always very helpful. Highly recommended.
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I can't recommend Markus, Jimmy, John, Ferdie and the team at JamCyber more highly. Cyber security and functioning IT solutions are vital for the day to day operation of my legal practice and JamCyber is across it all. The team is always very responsive, lovely to deal with, efficient and communicate clearly (they don't speak "IT" and expect we'll always follow). They're simply the best.
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Jimmy and the team at Jam Cyber are so knowledgeable, reliable and quick to respond to any issue, big or small. Jimmy in particular has been great to deal with - I highly recommend him and his team for IT support services.
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When I first started my legal practice, I had very little idea about cyber security and what is required. Markus and the team and Jamcyber walked me through everything and set it up perfectly. If I have anything done, like I need a new email set up or onboarding of a new staff member, they’re onto it, as soon as possible – it’s seamless. These guys know IT and they know cyber security – they’re also the best I’ve come across. If you want the best, use Jamcyber for everything IT-related.
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Jimmy from JamCyber is extremely helpful. He is very pleasant, patient and always gets the job fixed quickly. Thank you!
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Jam cyber has greatly assisted us with our cyber security and it has been a great pleasure working with them
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Jimmy and the team at Jam Cyber are always helpful and easy to deal with.
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Always great doing business with Jimmy and the team at Jam Cyber.
Understanding Whitelisting:
A Simple Guide for Business Owners
One effective security measure that can significantly enhance your protection is “whitelisting.” But what exactly is whitelisting, and how can it benefit your business? This post aims to explain whitelisting, so you can consider if this cyber security strategy is right for your business.
What is Whitelisting?
Whitelisting is a cyber security strategy that allows only pre-approved software, applications, and websites to operate within your network. Much like a guest list for a private event; only the names that appear on the list are allowed in. Similarly, whitelisting involves creating a list of authorised programs that can run on your company’s computers and servers. Everything else, which is not on this list, is blocked by default.
Why Australian Business Owners Should Care About the Essential Eight
The Australian Cyber Security Centre (ACSC) includes whitelisting as one of its “Essential Eight” strategies for mitigating cybersecurity incidents. This inclusion highlights the importance of controlling the digital environment in which businesses operate. By implementing whitelisting, organisations can significantly reduce the risk of malicious software (malware) infections, as only approved software can execute on systems.
This proactive approach aligns with the ACSC’s broader goal of creating resilient digital infrastructures that not only prevent security breaches but also minimise the damage should breaches occur.
Whitelisting helps achieve this by ensuring that only trusted and verified applications are allowed to function, thereby safeguarding critical data and operations against unauthorised access and interference.
How Does Whitelisting Work?
The concept of whitelisting in fairly straightforward.
However, implementing whitelisting can be time consuming and, without the right support, it could impact business operations.
How To Safely Implement Whitelisting in Your Business
Implementing whitelisting can seem daunting, but with a structured approach, you can effectively enhance your cybersecurity measures. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you get started:
Whilst these steps will help you successfully implement whitelisting in your business, you can also consider seeking support from a cyber security expert like Jam Cyber. With us, we can take care of your whitelisting for you!
The Key Benefits of Whitelisting
Whitelisting is not just about cyber security, here we list the key benefits of implementing this strategy for your business:
Considerations Before Implementing Whitelisting
While whitelisting is a robust security measure, it requires careful planning and management:
Is Whitelisting Right for Your Business?
Whitelisting is particularly beneficial for industries where security is paramount, such as finance, healthcare, and legal sectors. However, any business that wants to enhance its cyber security can benefit from this approach. It is most effective when used in conjunction with other security practices, such as regular software updates, comprehensive employee training, and strong next generation antivirus.
Whitelisting can be a powerful cyber security tool. It offers a proactive approach to security by only allowing trusted applications to run, significantly reducing the likelihood of malware infections.
To get help with your whitelisting, contact our team today.
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