Key Points
- Data breaches can’t be completely avoided, but these best practices can help minimize their impact.
- There are many types of data protection, from simple to complex.
- No matter the type or size of business you own or operate, data security is a must for your company’s well-being.
A data breach is no joke. With more and more information being stored online, the risk of a data breach is higher than ever before. If a hacker were to get into your company’s network, it could spell disaster for your business.
Aside from costing you money and taking up a lot of time, they can be damaging to your company’s reputation. The good news is that they can sometimes be prevented. When you take proactive measures and train your employees, most data breaches can be avoided, and you’ll be better prepared if they do occur.
While we can’t help but stress the importance of having a cybersecurity system in place, we know that at times there are other more important priorities in your business. Putting cybersecurity aside, however, is a risk. Ideally, your data security strategy should strike a balance between reducing breaches and supporting business operations.
What is a data breach?
Data breaches occur when a third party gains access to data without the owner’s consent. Businesses, their customers, or both are typically the target of these kinds of attacks. They can affect businesses in virtually every industry, no matter how large or small they are.
A data breach can happen in several ways:
- Injecting malware into systems and then exploiting outdated software vulnerabilities
- Clicking on a link and accidentally downloading a virus or malware
- Hacking passwords that are too weak or reused
- Getting a device stolen or losing it
- Sending sensitive information by email to the wrong address
6 Ways To Protect Your Business From Data Breaches
There are a variety of best practices to prevent data breaches, some of which are relatively straightforward, while others may require a little more expertise. You might even already have some of these measures in place.
To prevent data breaches in your business, take a look at these tips.
Implement general security measures
Network security comes in many forms. The kind you choose will ultimately depend on your goals and the type of business you have, but here are some basic ones to consider:
- VPNs: VPNs protect your online activity by encrypting it.
- Antivirus software: Antivirus software scans your device for signs of data breaches.
- Encrypted vaults: Any confidential information should be stored in an encrypted vault, with both advanced authentication and password protection.
- Password security: Protect all devices and online accounts with strong passwords. Use time-out functions to lock devices after a certain amount of time.
Keep your software and patches updated
It’s often overlooked, but keeping your software up-to-date is one of the easiest ways to keep your system secure. Besides preventing security issues, updates can improve compatibility and program functionality.
The term “patch” refers to an update or series of updates provided by software developers to address technical issues or security holes. Data security is often compromised by hackers exploiting unpatched software.
Partner with IT support experts
With 4it, you get an incident response team, a dedicated security engineer, and cyber risk insurance for your protection as well as ours.
We provide cybersecurity solutions that protect every aspect of your IT infrastructure, as well as routine monitoring and maintenance of your system.
Don’t forget storage devices and printed documents
Confidential documents or documents with sensitive information should be shredded before they’re thrown away. After copying sensitive documents, remember to clear the data on the photocopier.
