Tip of the Week: 6 Data Security Practices You Can Take

Data is one of the most valuable assets there is today, which is why any business should consider its security a prerogative. This can admittedly be a lot, which is why we’ve taken the liberty of preparing a few tips to help you get started on the right path. These may also help those in the middle of the process who need a little reminder.

Why is Data Security So Important Today?

The reason for the heightened importance that we attribute to data can be traced directly back to the way we now do business. With so much business conducted over the Internet, “the web” (as it was once called) has proven to be a fundamental resource for so many modern operations, but it has also given great opportunities to those that would do businesses harm.

With this double-sided example of a rising tide lifting all ships came the need for comprehensive and unified data protections. Let’s review some of the things you and your team members will need to do to help protect your business against the threats that lurk online.

Shared Responsibilities

Of course, everyone in your business would be considered by a cybercriminal as a potential access point. As such, everyone needs to know and abide by multiple security best practices, including:

Online awareness: Threats, and the cybercriminals that spread them, are improving through trial and error. As such, your team needs to know how to minimize the effectiveness of these threats by using the Internet in a safer, more secure manner. Teaching them basic best practices, like checking any links they click through before actually clicking on them or checking for a secure URL, will help to improve their online safety that much more.

2FA: Two-factor authentication can add an additional layer of complexity to your account protections by requiring not just a password to confirm that a login attempt is legitimate but insisting that the user provide additional proof. While the most familiar version of this is the secondary code sent to the user via text, other more secure options are now available for businesses to use.

Phishing identification: Phishing is a form of cyberattack that circumvents practical cybersecurity defenses by manipulating the user. The infamous Nigerian Prince scam is easily the most well-known example of phishing. Phishing attacks that target businesses often seek access credentials and other sensitive data, so it is important that every member of your staff can recognize these efforts and react appropriately.

Your Responsibilities

As the de facto leader of your business, you are in the position to make some changes that only you have the authority to make that can significantly improve cybersecurity. A few such activities would be things like:

Dictating that software is updated regularly: As cyberthreats improve, the software you implement needs to improve as well, so that its security stands a chance against an attacker’s efforts. Software developers will regularly release updates and replace their software when the time comes, so you need to prioritize keeping up with these changes.

Making sure password management is in place: Passwords are one of the most basic means of securing something, but that also makes them one of the most convenient means for a cybercriminal to make it into your network. Sufficient password security is more convenient for your users with a password management solution to assist them and allows you to reinforce the use of strong passwords.

Locking down your Wi-Fi: An insecure Wi-Fi network is an open invitation to cybercriminals. Demand that your network utilizes a modern protocol, and your weaknesses to these threats will be resolved.

If you’d like any help in implementing these changes, or just want to learn more about how we can assist you in supporting your IT, give Horne & Benik a call at (603) 499-4400. In the meantime, make sure you keep coming back to our blog for more helpful technology information.