Data security has never been more important when it comes to running a business. In just the first six months of 2019, more than 3,800 publicly-disclosed data breaches occurred. It’s safe to say that cyber threats are an ever-present reality, requiring the right kind of protection to prevent them from striking your company. To lower your chances of a data breach, follow these steps.
1. Invest in cybersecurity training.
Educating your team about cybersecurity is crucial. In 2020, new forms of phishing have developed with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, making data breaches in the workplace sneakier and more likely than ever. But with proper training, your team can increase their awareness of which cyber mistakes and bad habits to avoid.
2. Use two-factor authentication.
At this point, everyone should be using two-factor authentication, or 2FA, when logging into important online accounts. Two-factor authentication adds an extra layer of security to all of your account logins by well, using two factors. This usually works by requiring you to enter login information, which will then prompt a link or code to be sent to your device to further prove that it’s really you trying to log in. By doing this, you can decrease the chances of someone pretending to be an employee to access sensitive data.
3. Encourage good password habits.
Your passwords are the keys to an overwhelming amount of important data. Aside from the added protection of 2FA, making your passwords bulletproof is just as important. Never repeat passwords, and invest in a password manager for your team. Get our full list of strong password tips here.
4. Restrict access to your important data.
The more you limit who can access your company’s most important data, the less likely an employee-induced data breach is. With a larger amount of employee access, there’s a higher chance of someone clicking on a phishing link and accidentally exposing your company’s or your customers’ data. Keep in mind that only those who absolutely need access to certain types of data should be allowed to have access. For example, only your employees who handle your company’s finances should be able to access financial data.
5. Keep all software updated.
This rule applies to all facets of your online life, but ensuring your software is always up to date could save you from a true security nightmare. Keep automatic updates on to make this easier, and encourage employees to do the same. This applies to every form of software and all devices you use — don’t skip or get lazy with the software you don’t use often.
6. Create a response plan.
Let’s face it — sometimes accidents just happen. If you find your team in the throws of a data breach, don’t panic. You’ll first need to stop it at the source by tracking down where the breach is coming from, and limit employee access to the affected data. From there, it’s important that you contact the authorities to report the breach and track down what went wrong. Check out our full guide here for responding correctly to a data breach situation.
7. Be prepared with the right backup.
One of the best ways to store private data is with a secure cloud storage service. SugarSync offers cloud storage plans for businesses, as well as industry-standard security to protect all data that your team syncs and stores in the cloud. And in the case of a data breach or device theft/loss, SugarSync also offers recovery options to protect your data from falling into the wrong hands: use Remote Wipe to clear any affected devices of private data, and recover lost data with our Protected Folders. Get started today to try SugarSync free for 30 days.
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