We hear about new data breaches, cyber threats, and computer hacks almost every day in 2019. As technology advances, so do opportunities for cybercriminals to gain access to your information. With all the other tasks on your plate, taking time to maximize security can be a low priority. Unfortunately, as soon as you turn away, your business is at risk.
Your password just isn’t enough anymore. So, how do you make sure you’re protected? Unfortunately, there isn’t a simple answer to this question. Keeping private information private is difficult today, and it’s a team effort. Here are five tips for keeping data secure and protecting your business.
1. Educate and Train Your Team
Most data breaches happen by accident. If someone in your office clicks on a malicious link, visits a corrupted website, or opens a dangerous attachment, your entire network could be compromised. The best way to prevent this from happening is to educate your employees on how to protect data and identify threats. Strong passwords and proper file storage are key! If you don’t have a team member in charge of security, consider inviting a cybersecurity expert to your office. He or she can share valuable information and best practices with your team and help reduce your risk of data compromise.
2. Separate Business and Personal Accounts
Make sure that you and your team members have separate emails for business and personal use. And, never use the same password twice. This will help to ensure that if one of your accounts is threatened, the other remains safe.
3. Be Skeptical
If you receive an email with suspicious formatting, such as little to no punctuation or broken language, be skeptical! Do not open any attachments, click links, or reply without first confirming that the email is legitimate. Report any suspicious emails to your cybersecurity officer or IT team. It’s always better to be safe than sorry!
4. Make Security a Priority
Make sure that data security is a priority for your business. Establish a process for storing and securing data, encrypting emails, and training employees. The more you promote security as a priority, the safer your business will be.
5. Restrict Data Permissions
Since most data breaches occur due to user error, it is important to restrict permissions on your most sensitive information. Employees should only have access to the information necessary to do their jobs. By restricting permissions, you reduce the likelihood that a hacker will access your network of information. You can also set up firewalls to prevent employees from visiting websites outside of what they need to complete daily tasks.
