Editor's note: This post was originally published on June 5, 2018 and has been revised for clarity and comprehensiveness.
Data-driven decision-making is no longer a luxury but a necessity for companies to stay competitive and succeed in the marketplace. That is why cybercriminals and hackers keep targeting sensitive business data because they know that is where the money is.
The global annual cost of cybercrime is predicted to reach $8 trillion this year, according to the 2022 Official Cybercrime Report by Esentire. This staggering figure highlights the importance of protecting business data from cyber threats, as its consequences can be financially and reputationally devastating.
Therefore, implementing robust cybersecurity measures and investing in data protection must be a top priority for businesses of all sizes.
At Intelligent Technical Solutions (ITS), we have years of experience helping hundreds of clients strengthen their network defenses by proactively safeguarding their data. In this article, we'll give you ten data protection tips, namely:
After reading, you should know how to mitigate the risk of cybercrime and protect your operations against potential disruptions.
To avoid potential breaches, you can implement various methods to restrict access to confidential information, such as:
Additionally, suppose a team member leaves the company or changes positions. In that case, they may still have access to confidential information they no longer need, posing a security risk.
Creating unique logins for each job position lets you better control your digital assets' access. With unique login credentials, employees can only access the information and systems needed to perform their specific job duties. This way, you proactively minimize the risk of unauthorized access to sensitive data.
Furthermore, using unique logins can improve accountability among everyone in your organization. If something goes wrong or a security breach occurs, it is easier to identify who is responsible for the incident, reducing the risk of false accusations or misunderstandings.
This process can also help pinpoint any potential security risks, such as weak or compromised passwords and take steps to address them before attackers can exploit them.
Audits should be done regularly, ideally on a quarterly or annual basis, depending on the size and complexity of your organization. You can automate this process using tools and software that can identify and flag any inactive or unauthorized accounts. However, it is also essential to conduct manual reviews to ensure a thorough review of all accounts.
Read: How and When to Audit Your Company’s Cybersecurity Plan
Typically, individuals with the necessary technical knowledge and training handle these tasks to ensure they make appropriate changes to the organization's systems and data without unintended consequences.
These documents may contain information that, if accessed by unauthorized persons, can cause significant harm to your organization or the individuals involved.
By storing sensitive documents in locked cabinets, you can limit access to authorized personnel, such as managers, HR personnel, or designated security personnel only. Locking cabinets can also provide physical security against theft or tampering.
Read: NIST Password Guidelines 2022: 9 Rules to Follow
To prevent the risk to these pieces of equipment, you can use a password-locked screensaver that automatically activates after a set period of inactivity. The screensaver requires a password before the workstation can be reaccessed, ensuring only authorized users can access the computer.
As a business owner, you should also establish policies and procedures for using and protecting workstations, which may include:
You can mitigate these risks by training your remote employees to avoid using public networks when accessing company data. You may provide them with a mobile hotspot or a secure wireless network so they don’t have to resort to public Wi-Fi.
But if public Wi-Fi access is a must, set up a secure Virtual Private Network (VPN) for remote employees. A VPN creates an encrypted connection between the user’s device and the organization's network, which ensures that all data transmitted between the two is secure and confidential.
The plan should be comprehensive and cover all your organization's potential cyber threats. It should also be regularly updated to reflect system and infrastructure changes and protect against new threats and vulnerabilities.
Companies should provide regular security awareness training to ensure employees understand their role in protecting sensitive data. This training should cover phishing scams, malware, password hygiene, and safe browsing practices.
In addition to providing general security awareness training, you should give role-specific training for employees handling sensitive data or accessing critical systems.
For example, IT staff may require additional training on network security and incident response, while employees in finance or HR may need training on data privacy and compliance.
By training employees on how to identify and avoid common security threats, they can help prevent data breaches and other security incidents. It also helps create a culture of security within the organization, where employees understand the importance of protecting sensitive data and are empowered to do so.
Protecting data should be everyone’s responsibility, but partnering with a reliable MSP like ITS may be the wiser decision if you want a dedicated team to oversee your cybersecurity infrastructure.
As a managed security services provider (MSSP), ITS has been offering a range of services that help businesses secure their networks, prevent data breaches, and minimize the impact of security incidents.
We have the expertise, tools, and resources to keep up with the ever-evolving threat landscape and provide you with suitable cybersecurity solutions.
If you want to start your free cybersecurity audit, schedule a one-on-one meeting with us today. You may also read these helpful guides toward better cybersecurity: