Protect Your Sensitive Data With These Super Useful Guidelines
Sensitive data is defined as any information that is protected against unwarranted disclosure. If you’re running a business in the information era, chances are you’re collecting sensitive information. Company data, employee information, and customer records are all targeted by cyber criminals on a regular basis. In 2021 alone, Americans lost nearly seven billion dollars to cybercrime.
This number is expected to grow. The following will explore a few things you can do to help protect your company’s sensitive data.
Of course, every industry has its own specifics when it comes to data. It’s a good idea to do further research into your particular field and see what sorts of cybercrime disproportionately target businesses within your industry and of your size.
Password Education
If you have staff that accesses company accounts or devices while working from home or within the office, it’s important to educate them about proper password selection. A good password is much more difficult to hack than a poor password. You can even increase your security by setting new password parameters. You can require your staff to update their password at regular intervals; this way if someone you don’t want accessing company data ends up figuring out a password, they have only a short time frame within which it could help them access company information.
Restrict Administrative Privileges
Limit who within the company is able to make changes to your network that could potentially break-the system. Part of security involves reducing risk, and the fewer people who can damage your network, the less likely you are to experience network damage due to employee error. Of course, you need to balance this with allowing employees to do their job without having to jump through unnecessary hoops or feeling like they’re micromanaged. The right amount of access is going to vary from company to company.
Email Hacking
One of the most common ways that hackers and cybercriminals gain access to company information is through email hacking and scams. Part of your staff training should include proper examination of emails to determine whether the sender can be trusted or not. Email security involves everyone who is using a work email account, not just your security team.
Conduct Regular Backups
One of the ways that data breaches can cost companies money is by damaging or stealing data. If you have a backup of all your important information, you know that you’ll be able to get your hands on the stolen information again. Ideally, you want an encrypted and offline backup in addition to a cloud-based backup. Digital backups help protect you from data loss in the event of a fire, flood, or even a coffee incident. Physical backups help protect you from data loss in the event of cybercrime.
Antivirus Software
No matter what digital devices you use within your company, antivirus software can help keep you safe. This kind of software will scan any applications or program installation requests before they launch for dangers. This can help catch any problems that slip past your staff in the form of email attachments or other forms of cyber attacks.
Keep Things Updated
You know when you get those messages about updating your software? It turns out those are really important. Often, updates are created by companies when vulnerabilities in their systems have been discovered. Updates can improve weak points in a program’s security that are known. If software companies know there’s a flaw, chances are hackers also know there’s a flaw. If you don’t update, you’re leaving your devices with big openings.
Continuity Plan
Just like you are taught fire drills in school, it’s a good idea for you to practice data breaches at work. When a cybercrime happens, it’s vital that you’re able to act quickly and salvage all that you can. A plan of action can help keep you prepared in the event that something goes wrong security-wise. This can help you protect your financial standing, business brand, customers, and employees.
Conduct Regular Risk Assessments
Hackers are always studying and finding new ways to breach data security systems. This means you need to regularly examine your security measures. Something that worked six months ago might be obsolete now, and the only way you’re going to figure that out is if you constantly revisit your security system and any space it has for improvement. Be sure to read up on the latest cybercrime news as part of this process.
The above information should help you manage your company’s data security needs. Again, every business is different, and this means that you might have security particulars not included on this list. For best results, speak to a local security provider to figure out what best suits your business.