The advancements in technology also come with new threats to business data security. All organizations experience challenges when it comes to securing sensitive business information. Even the biggest or giant companies experience haywires when it comes to security – but this does not stop them from continuously adopting far better and more effective security measures.
All small- to medium-scale businesses would have to work on making sure that network security is optimized and uncompromised even with these new data security threats around. Network security can be complicated especially because hackers have also become smarter today more than ever. However, you can also become more aggressive in combating these attacks by creating a more robust and infallible network.
Business data that covers customer data protection should be put in place by many companies. Layers of security protection create safe storage for business and consumer data. There is no such thing as being overly protected because you should always keep sensitive company data secure in whatever ways possible.
Strengthen BYOD Security Protocol
Employees are now allowed to work using their own devices. The Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) practice has become a trend for many offices. The setup allows employees to work or access important company files using their own smartphones and laptops right at the office.
However, the risk of hacking or data being leaked out is increased with no data encryption on these personal devices. More so, an outdated version of an operating system may also precipitate data leakage and malware infestation.
This might be seen to increase productivity and also cost-efficient however company files are also threatened from unauthorized access because employees could be using multiple devices at different points in time. Software updates and installations must be strictly enforced as well as the proper configuration and troubleshooting in place to avoid threats to company data.
To avoid this, a strict security protocol or system must be put in place. Employees must be trained on network security so as to properly handle safe file transfers and handling of company data inside and outside of company premises. You should always have strict control of data access and transfers even when you allow your employees to use their own devices at work.
Get Your Company Data Organized
It is important for an organization to understand the sacredness of company data. In order to protect sensitive data from leakage or unauthorized access, you would need to get it organized in such a way that your employees would know how to handle company information.
Now, not all data is created equal, so it would need to be properly filed according to importance or order of sensitivity. The sensitive or private data must be segregated from the non-sensitive or public data. These private company data must be handled with extra precaution and maximum security. In effect, employees should be given limited access or as per-need-basis only to avoid mishandling of information.
Data Encryption Is A MUST
There are varied security measures being adopted by many organizations today. However, the best way to restrict access to sensitive data that moves from one application or device to the next is data encryption because it facilitates file transfers or movements in a secure data network.
With the BYOD system in place with many companies, you really have to get a tight hold or control over access or transfers happening from across all devices in your network. This could be challenging but it can be done with a main central point having autonomy on network access.
Even if using your own device is permitted in the office, there should always a main or central point that manages all devices so it becomes in sync with the security framework of your company.
Keep Your Passwords Private And Secure
While there are now advanced security measures being practiced in companies, the basics still have to be strengthened such as having strong passwords that can be used to protect company data. It is very important to create passwords that aren’t predictable and difficult to guess even by people who know you well.
If you are fond of creating passwords with your nickname or birthday on it then it’s time to change that into something undecipherable even by the people closest to you. Choose strong passwords that combine symbols, numbers, and letters to better protect your device and network. It is also important not to share your passwords and keep it private.
Passwords are here to stay even with the integration of biometric systems such as face recognition and fingerprint ID because the classics remain to be the strongest ally to any network threat. Password management applications such as Sticky Password Premium or Dashline 4 are also very beneficial to enhancing the security of your passwords.
Apply Identity And Access Management (IAM)
The introduction of Identity and Access Management or IAM to many organizations has helped strengthen data security in all places and across all devices. This is usually integrated with Single Sign-On or SSO which helps with identity mapping. This authentication technology helps identify people who are accessing company data in real-time. This way, you would know who has accessed what file and at what particular time. Access rights are created and also restrictions can be implemented.
With IAM in place, there will be a fine-grained control over who can access sensitive company data. Everything can also be monitored or managed from a central point which keeps a secure pathway of information. This provides a minimum or restricted privileges to employees who are only given access to the data they would need within their line of work.
Surpass Data Breach
The security challenge in organizations is stronger now more than ever, especially because data breach has been rampant in many companies. The challenge today is creating an impenetrable network security structure to avoid compromising or leakage of sensitive data. Any company network is said to be prone to attacks as there is no perfect network structure. In the event that your company data has been hacked or leaked out, the best way to approach this is to change all passwords and then get in touch with affiliated financial institutions and credit bureaus to report the hacking incident.
These hacking incidents have been going on for many years now. However, with the modern advancements of technology, hackers are continuously finding better and more intuitive ways to attack your system to get into high-value data. Do not be prey to these modern cyber predators by securing your company data with every known security measures. Different or multiple layers of security on your company data is better than nothing.
Most malicious attacks are targeted towards high officials or members of an organization like company directors or CEOs who would always have primary access to sensitive company data. Most companies would usually give autonomy of access to a single or a few members of an organization which could pose more risks to data being leaked.
The best and recommended way to secure your business data is to plan and implement an equal security protocol for each member of the organization. Increased level of awareness and strict implementation of security protocol will help combat security threats like hacking or malware attacks from getting into your company’s networks.
