Whether you’re in control of a huge corporation or you’re a new start-up in the field, you’re going to take the necessary measures to protect your business’ data safe. Threats and data theft are rampant on the web and can cause massive disruptions to your daily operations. Instead of taking chances and throwing caution to the wind, here are five tips to keep in mind to protect the data of your business.
1. Develop a Strategy
The best way to protect your technology and data is to have a good defence and you can’t have that without developing a strategy first. Don’t rely on vague ideas to get you through it; you should have a plan on how you want your data protected, what to do when things go wrong, and how to repair them. It’s also a good idea to keep your strategy updated on a regular basis so that it can handle all the new ways in which hackers try to get your data.
2. Have Protections Against Malware
Malicious software can cause a lot of data damage, leaving your computers and network vulnerable to attacks. There are some simple steps you can take to protect against malware:
- Apply a firewall: this should always be the first line of defence and will notify you when something isn’t right.
- Have security software in place: behind your firewall, you should have installed some security software that can handle identity theft, flag suspect websites, and guard against any hacking attempts.
- Watch your e-mails: antispam software can protect against unwanted e-mails that can fill up inboxes and make it more difficult for your employees to get their jobs done.
3. Protect Your Wireless Network
This means that you shouldn’t leave it open for anyone to use. Have the strongest encryptions settings possible on your network so that you can protect the data of your business and turn off the broadcasting function so that your network isn’t visible.
4. Protect Your Passwords
A password does wonders of protecting your data, but if you’re choosing a password that’s very easy to guess, then you’re not really protecting your data at all. If necessary, there are password generators that provide a random set of numbers, letters and characters that can provide you with a much stronger password that could be impossible for hackers to figure out. It’s also a good idea to change passwords every six months or so to ensure further data protection.
5. Dispose of Data Properly
Any data that you no longer need should be disposed of properly. Leaving it around for other people to find can increase your chances of having a security breach. Old and retied devices should have all of their contents properly removed, and implement a data destruction policy for everyone to follow.
Just as you would take any measures necessary to keep the contents of your home safe, you should exercise those same practices with the data of your business. There is a lot of sensitive information there that can be used against you and your business, including identity theft and stealing company secrets. Take the right steps to keep that data safe as much as possible.
