Data Protection 101: How to Keep Your Data Safe

Aug 26, 2022 | Security

Data Protection 101: How to Keep Your Data Safe

“The one who owns information owns the world.”

This phrase has been known for about two centuries, but today it is as relevant as ever. Nowadays, data is our most precious resource. And that’s why you need to put meticulous attention into your data security.

Data breaches or losses can be devastating for any business. In this post, we will discuss how you can minimize the risks of losing your data.

Data Loss Policies and Data Protection Processes

Implementing data loss prevention (DLP) policies and establishing data protection processes will help you cover all the data security needs and minimize the risk of unpleasant incidents. To create an effective DLP, you will need to define a few core parameters:

First, clearly define your data storage and restoration SOP:

  • Which data is considered important? You need to define specific types of data that require protection. It can be employees’ and clients’ personal data, financial documentation, or data that must be protected for compliance reasons, etc.
  • What to do when lightning strikes? What is the process if any data-related incident happens?

Now, ask yourself these questions. If you answer yes to either, it’s time to rethink your DLP or lack thereof:

  • Where is important data stored? Is it only accessible through shared network resources, or can it be found on employees’ laptops? Do your employees send sensitive information through email or upload it to public sharing services such as Dropbox?
  • Who has access to important data? Is there a possibility of a random employee accidentally getting access to sensitive data and manipulating it?

If there is no active DLP policy in your company, you should start with a data audit to answer all the questions above.

Preventing Data Loss

Human mistakes, hardware malfunction, cybercrime – there are multiple ways to lose your data. There is always a possibility of an unpredictable event that will lead to data corruption or complete loss.

That’s why you should be prepared for any scenario. Here are some steps to take:

Timely Backup

Backing up your data – and doing so regularly – is vital. Imagine having your client database erased by accident and realizing your backup copy is 3 months old. Automatic backup software can help eliminate these risks.

Secure Storage

Where to store your backup data is another important question. Managing an on-premises server room may cost a fortune – you will need costly hardware and specialists who will take care of it. Plus, what happens if your building burns down?

Cloud backup storage is a modern solution that allows you to reduce costs and have your data accessible from anywhere online. A dependable cloud storage solution will mean your data is stored in a safe and secure environment.

Antivirus Software

Computer viruses and other malicious software are one of the most common reasons for data loss. Make sure your antivirus software runs across your entire network and don’t forget to update it as well as any software your employees use.

Preventing Data Breaches

Sometimes having sensitive data stolen puts your business at even greater risk than mere data loss. To mitigate those risks, consider implementing these cybersecurity best practices:

Encryption

Encrypting your sensitive data is a great way to ensure its safety. Modern encryption methods make it virtually impossible to break the code. Even if a piece of data is stolen, it will be of no use to thieves.

Strong Passwords and MFA

A strong password policy should be enforced on all internal resources. In addition, multi-factor authentication is a great tool when you need an additional layer of protection. Don’t overlook it.

Restricted Access

Using different user roles and ensuring that certain data is accessible to only those who really need it greatly reduces the risks of unauthorized access. Fewer ways in means less chance of a hack.

Monitoring

Using monitoring software that constantly checks your network for any suspicious activity can be a lifesaver when it comes to data breaches. Such tools can identify a possible attack and stop it in less than a second.

Employee Training

The human factor plays a huge role in data breaches. A clueless employee may open a shady file attached to an email or fall a victim to a social engineering attack. All the sudden, one seemingly harmless click puts the whole company at risk!

Regular security training is the only way to ensure your team will be prepared for any data security-related scenario.

Building solid data protection requires expertise. The best way to do it right is to get help from security experts. We use the most advanced solutions to ensure your data safety. Call us today and let’s talk!