It seems that there is a data breach somewhere on a daily basis. Hackers and data thieves have grown more successful in stealing sensitive data from companies due to the advancements in technology in recent years.
According to Symantec Internet Security’s 2015 threat report, around 60 percent of all cyber-attacks targeted small and medium-sized businesses. If you own a business, you know how important it is to keep your data safe. There are a number of measures you can take to ensure that all of your company’s sensitive information is kept secure.
Educate Your Employees
First and foremost, preparation for a potential disaster is one of the best ways to fight against an attack on your data. To that end, it’s important to educate your employees to make them aware of the risks. Teach them how to remain vigilant and how to identify threats, as well as how to handle them if they encounter any activity that appears suspicious.
One of the most common ways a data breach occurs is by an employee accidentally clicks on a suspicious link in a company email. Many attachments within those emails contain malicious files or viruses that can essentially steal precious data. And with more and more companies using the cloud for work purposes, you will want to consider using cloud antivirus for your business.
Use a Solid Firewall
Always use a solid firewall on all company devices. It is a good source of protection for your business by preventing unauthorized connections and malware from coming into your company network. A quality firewall also diligently monitors all traffic incoming and outgoing from a network, which means if a hacker is trying to gain access, it can keep their prying eyes off your network by blocking them.
Encrypt All Your Data
Company data is sensitive and should always be encrypted. Encryption means keeping all data protected no matter where it is stored, sent, or used. Encryption can work to protect data stored in files, flash drives, disks, and even in the cloud. Choosing an encryption program can be confusing, especially if you don’t understand the differences between symmetric and asymmetric encryption, so you should know how both methods work.
Use a Virtual Private Network
Your business should also push the usage of using a virtual private network (VPN) on all devices being used. A VPN can protect your data while you are using the Internet, no matter what your location. This is especially handy in the days of working remotely, especially when people may be doing their work in places that have unsecured Wi-Fi networks where anyone can pry into what they are doing. A VPN masks your true IP and location, in general, keeping your data more secure.
Use Strong Passwords
You should always encourage the use of strong passwords for access to your company’s network and sensitive data. This means the passwords should be longer and consist of at least one capital letter, number, and special character. Additionally, you should require that passwords be changed regularly, such as every three months or even monthly. Company passwords should also never contain even part of a person’s name.
If employees tend to easily forget their passwords, you may also want to encourage them to download a password app to keep them safely stored and away from prying eyes.
These are the best ways to keep your company’s data secure. Although some breaches may be unavoidable, these steps can certainly lower your risk. You should learn to stay secure online every time you find some cybercrime happening. The best way for you to resist is to use full security, not to use pirated items, and not to provide sensitive data over the internet.
