How to Provide Protection For Your Data

In a world where personal data is a valuable commodity, safeguarding that data is a top issue for both individuals and companies of all sizes. A single breach could expose customers to identity theft and other financial harm and expose businesses to penalties, reputational harm, and even lawsuits. There are a variety of methods to safeguard personal information and prevent hacking and theft.

TAKE STOCK

Review the amount of sensitive data your company stores in files and on computers and create a plan to keep it only as long as is necessary. This could include taking inventory of devices that collect personal data, such as PIN pads and security cameras as well as identifying computer connections to external sources, such as the internet or computers utilized by service providers to support your network or digital copiers.

SCALE DOWN

Limit access to sensitive information only to those who need access to it. This decreases the chance of an insider threat or loss from hackers. Pro tip: Follow the principle of least privilege. Give new accounts the lowest access level to sensitive data. Then increase that privilege as the account grows in seniority or the job requirement grows.

THEN LOCK IT

Passwords should be secure and complex. Passwords that are easy to guess can be cracked in a matter of seconds and used to gain unauthorized access. Do not send passwords via email in plain text and encrypt what is the best cloud document storage all files that contain sensitive or private information.