The more data you have, the better equipped you are to make informed decisions, understand your customers, and craft strategies for success. But, with so much riding on your data, it’s imperative that you do everything in your power to protect it. Unfortunately, many businesses aren’t taking steps to protect their data. Here are five things you might be doing that could risk your business data.
5 Things Keeping Your Business Data Vulnerable
1. Not Backing Up Your Data Regularly
Backing up your data should be a top priority, but according to a recent study, about 37% of small businesses don’t back up their data. Furthermore, of those that do backup their data, 60% only do so monthly or less often.
This leaves businesses vulnerable to losing critical data if something happens to their systems. And, with no backup, there’s no way to recover it. Make sure you’re backing up your data regularly and keeping multiple backups in different locations (preferably off-site) in case of an emergency.
2. Not Encrypting Your Business Data Transfers
When transferring sensitive data, whether it is between employees or external parties, it’s important to encrypt the information to protect it from being intercepted by cybercriminals.
Unfortunately, about 83% of businesses don’t take this precautionary measure, leaving their data transfers wide open for attack. If you’re not already encrypting your data transfers, now is the time to start.
There are several ways to encrypt data; the most effective method will vary depending on the type and amount of data being transferred. For instance, data can be encrypted at rest, in transit, or in use. Choosing the right encryption method is critical to ensuring the safety of your data. Once you have implemented an encryption strategy, it’s also important to regularly monitor and update your encryption key to ensure that your data remains secure.
3. Not Restricting Access to Sensitive Business Data
When too many people have access to sensitive information, such as customer financial records or employee Social Security numbers, it increases the chances that someone will misuse that information or an unauthorized person will gain access to it. By properly controlling who has access to sensitive data, you can help keep it more secure.
Additionally, keeping sensitive information in an unprotected file on your computer makes it far too easy for cybercriminals to steal that information. Keep all sensitive information in a secure, password-protected location.
4. Not Updating Your Software Regularly
One of the easiest ways cybercriminals access sensitive business data is through outdated software, specifically, unpatched security vulnerabilities. That’s why keeping your software up-to-date with the latest security patches and updates is important. Many software programs have automatic update features these days.
5. Reusing passwords across multiple accounts
If you’re using the same password for multiple accounts, a hacker who gains access to one account can easily access all of them. Use a different strong password for each online account, and change those passwords regularly.
Talon Premier Security Services to Reduce Vulnerabilities in Your Business
Protecting your company’s information should be a top priority. Unfortunately, many businesses unwittingly make themselves more vulnerable by failing to take proper safeguards against data theft and loss. We at Talon Premier Security understand that information is your organization’s greatest asset. It must be protected from unauthorized access, denial of service, breach of confidentiality, or loss of data integrity. We can help your organization be prepared to protect, detect, and respond in the event of a cyberattack. Contact us to get started: https://talonpremiersecurity.com/contact-us/
