How to Provide Protection For Your Data

In a world where personal data is a valuable commodity, protecting that data is a major issue for both individuals and businesses of all sizes. A single breach could expose customers to identity theft and other financial harm, and it can expose businesses to penalties, reputational damage and even lawsuits. Fortunately, there are many methods that can be employed to safeguard personal data and to prevent hacking and theft.

TAKE STOCK

Take stock of the amount of sensitive information your business has in files and on computers and create a plan to preserve it only as long as necessary. This could include taking inventory of devices that store personal information, including PIN pads and security cameras, as well as identifying connections to external sources such as the internet, computers utilized by service providers to help support your network, or digital copiers.

SCALE DOWN

Limit access to sensitive information only to those who require access to it. This helps reduce the possibility of an insider threat or loss from hackers. Pro tip: Apply the principle of least privilege by granting new accounts access to the lowest level to sensitive data, increasing that privilege only as they advance in seniority or are required to do so by their job.

THEN LOCK IT

Passwords should be secure their website and complex. Passwords that are easy to guess can be hacked within a matter of seconds and used to gain unauthorised access. Don’t send passwords by email in plain text and encrypt all files that contain confidential or private data.