How to Keep Your Business Information Secure
Keeping your business information safe isn't just essential, it's smart. Data breaches and cybersecurity threats are on the rise, and the smarter technology gets, the smarter the hackers get. Companies of all sizes need to take information security seriously.
Tools like PrivateID can help provide an extra layer of protection when needed, but true security is about more than just installing software. It's a mindset, a routine, and occasionally a bit of paranoia - the healthy kind. A look at some simple ways that you can keep your business information secure.
Train your team. The biggest cybersecurity threat to any business is human error. Clicking a suspicious link, using weak passwords, or falling for a phishing e-mail can open the door to some huge security issues, and some of them you can't come back from. Regular staff Training is so important for this reason. Teaching your team how to spot the red flags, how to create stronger passwords, and what to do if something feels off is going to help. Keeping the tone casual but clear that cyber safety isn't optional means that everybody understands that they have a part to play.
Update your software regularly. Security for your business information may not just be about software, but if you're not updating it regularly enough, you're going to have some problems. It's tempting to continue to hit Remind Me Later when a software update pops up, but those updates often include security patches that you could miss out on. You need to fix the vulnerabilities that hackers love to exploit. So whether it's your operating system and antivirus program or even a simple browser extension, staying updated is a basic step in protecting your business data.
Limit access. Not everybody in your business needs access to everything. Limiting data access to only those who need it minimises risk. If an account then gets compromised, the damage is more contained and it can be overcome. Using strong permission settings, regularly auditing who has access to which files, systems or platforms, and understanding that when someone leaves the company to shut their access down will all help.
Use two factor authentication. If you're not using 2 factor authentication by now, it's time to change that. This adds a second step to the login process, usually a text message code or an authentication app. This makes it way harder for someone to break in, even if they have a password. It's a smaller inconvenience that provides massive protection, so make sure you get everybody on board with it. Most platforms do support it now and enabling IT company wide is a no brainer.
Backup your data. Not only do you need to back up the data, you need to test those backups regularly. Even with the best security in the world, things can and do go wrong, and that's where backups come in. Setup automatic backups for your databases, your files, and your systems, and make sure they're stored securely in multiple places. Once you do this, test them to know that they are working well.
