Each year in the United States, there are over 600,000 new businesses formed. Unfortunately, it's not uncommon for these companies to fail in their respective industries.

Part of ensuring your business remains successful involves properly managing your IT security. One way to do this is through auditing, which helps you check for weak points that could be exploited by hackers.

Part of auditing involves scoring your network's cyber risk, which can be a complex process. In this article, we'll break down how an S2 score is calculated so you can better understand the process.

So, What is an S2 Score?

Secure network auditing scores are calculated by looking at various factors, such as the number of open ports, password strength, and encryption methods.

The goal is to give you an overall picture of your network's security so you can identify areas that need improvement. One thing to keep in mind is that no score is perfect, and there is always room for improvement. The important thing is to use your score as a starting point and continually strive to establish a comprehensively secure network.

S2 Score Calculation

As we mentioned, there are several factors that go into calculating an S2 score. Each is crucial to understand when it comes to achieving the best score.

Let's take a look at each one in more detail.

Number of Open Ports

The number of open ports on your network is one of the most important factors to keep in mind.

Hackers can exploit these open ports to gain access to your network, so it's important to keep them to a minimum. You can do this by regularly scanning your network for open ports and closing any that are no longer needed.

Password Strength

Another factor that's taken into account is the strength of your passwords. Using strong passwords is one of the best ways to protect your network, so make sure all your devices have unique, complex passwords.

Avoid using common words or phrases, and consider using a password manager to help you keep track of all your passwords.

Encryption Methods

The encryption methods you use are also taken into account.

Encryption is a vital part of keeping your data safe, so make sure you're using the best possible methods. This includes using SSL/TLS for all your web traffic and ensuring that your wireless network is using WPA2 encryption.

What Are Common Cyber Risks That Businesses Face?

In order to sufficiently protect yourself, you will need to understand the threats your company faces. This will help you prevent issues from arising and navigate problems you encounter.

Listed below are some of the most common.

Phishing Attacks

These are cyber attacks that use email or text messages to trick people into revealing sensitive information, such as passwords or credit card numbers.

They can be very difficult to spot, so it's important to be vigilant when checking your email. If you're ever unsure about an email, contact the company directly to confirm its authenticity.

Malware

Malware is a type of software that's designed to damage or disable computers. It can be spread through email attachments or malicious websites. Once it's on your system, it can do serious harm, so it's important to have strong anti-malware protection in place.

Ransomware

This is a type of malicious software that hackers use in order to extort money from victims. Once it's installed on a system, it will encrypt all the files and demand a ransom be paid in order to decrypt them.

This can be a devastating attack, so it's important to have good backups in place and to never pay the ransom. It's also worth noting that the FBI recommends that you do not pay the ransom.

This will only fund attacks in the future.

Data Breaches

A data breach is when hackers gain unauthorized access to sensitive information.

This can be done by exploiting security vulnerabilities or through social engineering attacks. Data breaches can have serious consequences, so it's important to have strong security measures in place. This includes things like two-factor authentication and encryption.

Unfortunately, the average data breach costs businesses over $4 million per incident. So, it's essential that you do your best to safeguard your sensitive information.

How Often Should I Have an Audit?

It's generally recommended that you have an audit at least once a year.

However, if you've recently made significant changes to your network, or if you suspect there may be a problem, it's a good idea to have an audit more frequently. This will go a long way when it comes to keeping your business safe.

What Should I Look For in a Professional Auditor?

As you might guess, not all auditors are created equal.

When choosing a professional to perform your audit, there are a few things you should look for. First, they should have experience with the S2 score system.

This will ensure they know how to properly assess your network. Second, they should be able to provide a detailed report of their findings.

They will be able to help you identify any areas where your security needs to be improved. Finally, they should be able to offer recommendations on how to fix any problems they find.

Managing Your S2 Score Doesn't Have to Be Difficult

Although improving your S2 score might seem overwhelming at first, it's not as complicated as you might think.

By following the tips in this article, you can make a significant impact. Just remember to be patient and to stay vigilant when it comes to your network security. With a little effort, you can ensure your business is safe from cyberattacks.

Looking for other ways we can help you out in the future? Be sure to reach out to us today and see what we can do!

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