Are you a business owner seeking ways to protect against a data breach?
In 2017, there were 1,549 data breaches in the United States alone, compromising almost 179 million data files!
Threats to your company’s data come from both external and internal sources. In 2018, 40 percent of data breaches actually started inside businesses. While internal threats are high, you can take action to prevent accidental employee data leaks.
Read on to learn more about data breaches in 2018 and how you can protect your business from the inside out!
Hire the Right People
One of the best ways to prevent a cybersecurity breach is to hire people you can trust. But what makes someone the right hire? Review each candidate’s background carefully. During interviews, ask questions that reveal how they handle responsibility and security.
Find out how proactive they are about preventing data breaches. Look for employees who pay attention to detail. Careful workers are less likely to send a risky email or forget to shred sensitive documents.
Participate in Regular Employee Training
Train your team regularly to prevent data breaches. Don’t just train once a year—hold sessions throughout the year. Cover password protection, secure file storage, and proper document disposal.
Password Protection
Protecting passwords for email and business programs is essential. Require strong passwords with a mix of characters. This makes it harder for hackers to guess them.
A weak password can put your business at risk. Cybercriminals are expected to steal an estimated 33 billion digital files from Americans by 2023. Don’t let your company become a statistic.
Proper Storage
Store files securely so only authorized people can access them. Use locked rooms or secure areas in your office. Limit the number of employees with access to sensitive files. Consider file monitoring to track who views or removes documents.
Disposing Documents
If your office still uses paper, teach employees to dispose of sensitive documents properly. Use secure disposal containers that are emptied by a trusted third party. This keeps your workplace organized and reduces the risk of leaks.
Invest in IT Protection Services
Invest in professional IT protection for your business. An experienced IT company will test your network and spot potential risks. They can run IT assessments and audits to find weak points.
A good IT security provider can help you identify internal threats, saving you time and money. You can focus on running your business while experts handle security. This approach also avoids wasting manpower on IT security tasks.
Protecting Your Digital Files
Computers and mobile devices make data more accessible—but also more vulnerable. Your data can be stolen remotely if you don’t take precautions. Here are some simple ways to protect your files:
Use Read-Only Documents
Adopt a read-only policy for sensitive files accessed on mobile devices. Read-only files can’t be changed or deleted, which adds a layer of protection.
Require Passwords for Files
Password-protect your files to keep them safe from unauthorized access. This applies to both employees and outside threats. If an employee’s phone with work emails gets stolen, password-protected attachments will help keep your data safe.
If you want to prevent virus infections, check out these tips for keeping your PC secure.
Wrapping Up: Data Breaches in 2018
Data breaches in 2018 showed that threats can strike any business, in any industry. In June 2018, the Exactis server breach exposed data on 300 million users, including phone numbers and addresses.
For over 20 years, the New York Nerds team has supported IT needs in the tri-state area. We’re available 24/7, every day of the year. We’ll help you assess your IT needs and find the right solutions.
Contact us today to learn more about our services and how we can help protect your data!