Intranet Security Best Practices A guide for banks and credit unions
Intranets hold sensitive information - from HR files and procedures to internal audits and IT operations. For financial institutions, protecting that content isn't optional. Here's a practical list of intranet security best practices to help you stay compliant and confident.
2. Apply Role-Based Access Control
Access to content should reflect real-world roles. Employees should only see documents and pages they're cleared for. Use group-based or department-based controls, and review them regularly.
3. Require Authentication (Ideally SSO)
Every user should log in - ideally through Single Sign-On (SSO) using Active Directory, Azure AD, or a trusted provider. Never leave internal tools open without authentication.
4. Maintain Audit Trails
Whether it's a policy change, form submission, or document download - you need an audit trail of activity. This is especially critical for FDIC and NCUA examiners and compliance officers.
5. Lock Down Hosting and Access Points
If you're hosting on-prem, restrict access by IP, segment network zones, and monitor access attempts. In cloud deployments, use VPNs or private cloud environments that don't expose the intranet publicly.
6. Avoid Public Indexing
If your intranet is public-facing, double-check that your intranet isn't crawlable by search engines. Use proper robots.txt, noindex headers, and firewall rules. Public-facing intranets are a security risk and a compliance red flag.
8. For Internet-Facing Intranets: Enforce Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)
Even with SSO, stolen passwords are a risk. Add a second factor - like an authenticator app or hardware token - to significantly reduce credential-based attacks.
9. Regularly Patch and Pen-Test
Apply security updates to servers and intranet software as soon as possible. Consider annual penetration testing to uncover vulnerabilities before attackers do.
10. Train Staff on Security Hygiene
Most breaches stem from human error. Include intranet-specific security tips in your cybersecurity training - like reporting suspicious links and never sharing credentials.
Common Questions
Do we really need HTTPS if the intranet is only internal?
Yes - examiners and auditors will say so. Internal traffic can still be intercepted if it's unencrypted. HTTPS/TLS protects credentials and sensitive information even behind a firewall.
What's the easiest way to set up HTTPS on a private intranet?
You can use self-signed certificates, internal CA, or wildcard/public certs. See our
internal HTTPS guide for options and step-by-step instructions.
How often should we review intranet access permissions?
At least quarterly, or when employees change roles. Remove orphaned accounts and confirm group membership matches job responsibilities.
Can we require MFA for intranet login?
Yes. Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) can be layered on SSO (Active Directory, Azure AD, Okta) to prevent credential theft from leading to intranet compromise.
What's an audit trail and why do we need one?
An audit trail is a record of user activity (logins, edits, downloads). It helps with regulatory exams and makes it easier to investigate security incidents.
Is it risky if our intranet shows up in Google search?
Yes. Search engine indexing can expose sensitive information. Block crawlers using robots.txt, `noindex` tags, and firewall rules, and fix any public exposure immediately.
Can SimplifyIT host our intranet securely?
Yes. We offer fully-managed hosting with IP restrictions, encryption at rest, and compliance tools for banks and credit unions.
Need Help?
We work with banks and credit unions every day to ensure intranet security isn't just a checkbox - it's a strength. Request a demo or contact us to talk through options that fit your institution.
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