Over 90% of successful cyberattacks begin with a human action — clicking a phishing link, reusing a password, or connecting to an unsecured network. At Atlantic Computer Systems, our managed cybersecurity services protect businesses across the Bay Area, but technology alone is not enough. Every employee needs to practice these essential security habits.
Password Hygiene
Use a unique password for every account — minimum 14 characters with mixed case, numbers, and symbols. Better yet, use a passphrase like “correct-horse-battery-staple.” Use a password manager (Bitwarden, 1Password) to generate and store strong passwords. Never share passwords via email or store them in plain text. If you suspect a compromised password, read our Email Security Guide for immediate steps.
Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)
Enable MFA on every account — especially email, cloud storage, and systems containing client data. Authenticator apps (Microsoft Authenticator, Google Authenticator) are more secure than SMS codes. If your organization uses Microsoft 365, your admin can enforce MFA across all accounts through our IT management services.
Recognizing Phishing Attacks
Watch for: unexpected urgency, misspelled sender domains, generic greetings, and links that don’t match displayed text when hovered. When in doubt, don’t click — verify through a separate channel. Report suspicious emails to IT immediately. For a deeper dive, read our Email Security and Spam Management Guide.
Securing Devices & Working Remotely
Lock your computer when stepping away (Win+L or Ctrl+Cmd+Q). Enable BitLocker/FileVault encryption. Keep OS and software updated. Use your company VPN on any network outside the office. Never connect unknown USB drives. For compliance-focused industries, our healthcare IT and government IT solutions include additional security layers.
Reporting Incidents
If you suspect compromise, act immediately: disconnect, change passwords, report to IT. Speed matters — the faster we know, the faster we contain it. Call 1-650-300-7557 or submit through our Client Support Hub. Check our FAQ for common security questions, or contact us for a security assessment. Also review our Offboarding Checklist to ensure departing employees don’t leave security gaps.
