When it comes to running a business, there’s nothing more devastating than a data breach. Putting a customer’s confidential information in the hands of a hacker will ruin your reputation.
Depending on the business data that the attacker gets their hands on, it could bankrupt you. You wouldn’t be the first company that’s had to close its doors thanks to a breach.
It happens to businesses big and small. The question is, how do you stop it from happening? How do you prevent your valuable data from being so vulnerable?
We can help you figure that out. Check out this guide for a list of relevant tips that will help you keep your information where it belongs.
1. Only Save the Necessities
The number one trap that business owners run into is making their data too enticing to hackers. The more customer and employee information that you save, the more vulnerable you become to an attack.
You’ve got to limit the amount of data that a hacker can get their hands on by only saving the necessities. Don’t record more information about a customer than you need.
If you only need their information for a limited amount of time, make sure that you get rid of it once you’re done with it. Don’t hold on to valuable data that you don’t need. All it does is put a target on your back.
2. Stop Using Scripts
There are a lot of companies that continue to share information with clients and employees using a custom-developed program known as a script. This technology is vastly outdated.
While the information will get where it needs to go, this method poses a security risk. For one, it’s common knowledge that these scripts are used to carry confidential data, so it acts as a large target.
For two, the script won’t give you enough control over your information. It will be pretty easy for you to lose track of it. Don’t let this happen to you.
Opt for a better data transfer option. There are too many out there for you to continue using outdated practices. Find something that will give you control over the entire process.
3. Educate Your Employees
One of the main causes of a data breach isn’t due to a mistake on the business owner’s behalf. It’s an employee error. You’ve got to come up with a list of correct data business practices and inform your workers.
Teach them how to identify suspicious activity. Tell them what to do if they come across a corrupted file. you also want to put certain limitations on your employees.
Only give them access to what they need to perform their job. Have a system in place that will tell you what information your employees are getting their hands on.
Don’t give a single worker too much responsibility. The more information that an employee has access to, the more likely they are to give something away on accident or on purpose.
You don’t want to think about an employee abusing their power, but it happens. They could use the information that they have to steal from your company or your customers.
4. Keep Inventory
Most companies store data across multiple devices. After all, you have access to laptops, tablets, flash drives, and even phones. It’s convenient, but the more electronics your company uses to store information, the more vulnerable you are to an attack.
That doesn’t mean that you can’t make use of these devices. It only means that you need to be careful. Take inventory of everything your company uses to hold data.
You need to know what device is storing what. This doesn’t end with electronics. You also need to keep track of the physical data that you have stored in your filing cabinets.
5. Invest in Your Security
Saving your company from a data breach can be an investment, but it’s a worthwhile one. Again, if your information gets into the wrong hands, you could end up bankrupt.
You need to make sure that your computer firewall is up at all times. It’s not enough to protect your data all on its own, but it does act as the first line of defense against hackers.
Most computers come with a firewall, but you’ll have to pay for anti-virus software. It will inform your employees if they go on an infected website or try to download a corrupted file.
Try to get a protection program that not only stops hackers in their tracks but also takes care of suspicious websites and identity theft.
We recommend picking up antispam software as well. It will prevent unwanted emails from coming in and possibly tricking your employees into clicking on them.
You can also get a data communications company to run an assessment every few months or so to make sure that your security practices are doing the trick.
6. Keep Your Physical Documents Away From Prying Eyes
When it comes to breaches, you don’t only have your computerized data to worry about. If you have any physical files laying around the office, those can pose a potential threat as well if they contain confidential information.
Keep these precious files locked away in a filing cabinet and only give your most trusted workers access to them. When it comes time to dispose of files, don’t toss them in the garbage.
Anyone can dive into your dumpster and find what you threw away. Instead, shred your documents. A person might be able to piece the papers back together, but it won’t be easy for them to accomplish.
7. Use Data Encryption
Once you send your data out there on the internet, anyone can gain access to it. This is especially true if you send it from a public wi-fi space.
That’s why it’s a good idea to encrypt your files first. It adds an extra layer of protection because hackers will have to guess the code you put on the file before they can read it.
8. Use a Business Credit Card
When it comes time for you to make business expenses use a credit card. It’s more secure than any other type of payment method that you can use.
Most of them have safeguards in place if someone manages to get ahold of your information. If you have to go to another country for business, you can gather up travel rewards.
If you give the card to your employees, you can set payment limits. This way, they don’t go too wild with your company expenses. You can also set up text notifications that will tell you when someone makes a purchase with your account.
9. Watch Your Staff
Again, employees can compromise your business information without meaning to. You’ve got to monitor them. All a hacker needs to get into their account is their password.
Analyze their behavior to look out for any fishy business. We’re not saying to hover over their shoulder.
Setting up text alerts is a little less invasive. It will let you know about any suspicious login attempts on an employee’s account.
10. Plan a Response to Breaches
Sometimes you can put all these practices into place and still end up falling victim to a data breach. You’ve got to be ready for it if you want to be able to bounce back from it.
The first thing that you should do is work toward containing the breach. Have staff ready to get the jump on this. Doing so may prevent you from losing too much.
While they work on that, it’s up to you to start on the communications side of things. You’ve got to inform everyone impacted by the breach that some of their information may have been compromised.
You may also want to put up a notification on your website and social media page. If you own a medical facility, you’ll need to let government officials know about the breach.
Do an evaluation to find out what the root of the leak was and how much of your data the hackers got ahold of. Isolate any systems that may have been affected.
Protect Your Sensitive Business Data
When it comes to running a business, there’s almost nothing more devastating than experiencing a data breach. It’s something that even some large corporations can’t bounce back from.
Don’t let it happen to you. Use some of the tactics that we’ve talked about here to protect your business data from those malicious hackers.
Are you looking for more ways to keep your company going like a well-oiled machine? Check out the Business section of our blog for all the latest tips and insider news.
