Data is a priceless commercial resource that hackers are constantly vying for. Protecting business and personal data from data loss has risen to the top of many firms’ cybersecurity priorities in the digital age of cloud computing, remote working, online shopping, and social networking.
Every year, more occurrences of reported data breaches are recorded. For instance, in 2019 and 2020, there were hundreds of situations when hackers stole tens of thousands to millions of critical documents in a single attack. These numbers are startling because you never know where an attacker may choose to launch their next attack. So it’s best to be ready at all times.
There are essentially five significant ways that data loss happens:
- Ransomware attacks
- Insider threats
- denying services
- Virus injections
- Phishing attacks
Here are some simple steps to safeguard data in your business in light of these danger factors:
Promote the usage of robust passwords
The bulk of network attacks and data breaches use stolen credentials. By today’s standards, the username-password authentication method is not very secure. However, most accounts only require password authentication, making it a handy option.
However, the biggest issue with passwords is their vulnerability to theft, leakage, loss, and hacking due to negligent actions, including sharing login information, repeating passwords, and setting weak passwords. More than half of respondents to a Google poll acknowledged using the same password across other accounts.
Encourage all employees to use good passwords, especially those with privileged access. These include utilizing a password manager, making lengthy, complex passwords, and keeping login information private.
Update operating systems and software
Does your IT infrastructure utilize the most recent software releases? If the answer is “no,” you are playing dangerously loose with the security of your data.
To close security gaps, software and OS providers frequently issue new versions. Software developers provide a new version of their product or a patch update to address security vulnerabilities as soon as they become aware. Timely updates are essential since sometimes software problems aren’t found until after a reported exposure.
Data loss may be prevented by maintaining software and OS security by installing every new patch and update. One benefit is receiving the most recent data security features, strengthening your overall cybersecurity.
Maintain employee education
Cybercriminals operating online are not the only danger to data security. Data loss instances can also include internal staff workers. A recent study found that between 2018 and 2020, the number of cybersecurity incidents brought on by insider threats increased by 47%. According to the data, insider-related charges cost an astounding $11.45 million annually.
Employees may breach data systems purposefully or inadvertently. For instance, individuals can unwittingly install malware, fall victim to scams and phishing attempts, disclose private information on social media, or disregard safety precautions when handling protected data.
Train your staff on data safety procedures and how to spot and avoid various security dangers to prevent all of this from happening.
Employ a specialist who is adept at seeing hazards right away.
You don’t have to handle maintaining data security within your company. It pays to hire a third-party expert who can examine your business from a distance and pinpoint all of its data loss threats.
It would help if you had a cybersecurity partner who can spot hazards from a distance before they materialize into actual issues. Thanks to CMIT, businesses may easily manage their IT services at a reasonable price. To find threats before they harm your data, we conduct security evaluations. Then, we take care of problems or offer ideas for cybersecurity improvements.
Our strategy combines experienced back-office IT administration with proactive monitoring. Our software continuously checks your network and devices for errors and security concerns, and we intervene to fix any issues as soon as they arise. We also provide mobile device management software, an excellent option for smaller nonprofits. So that you can return to doing what you do best, let us handle your IT infrastructure.
Contact us to know more about our offerings and how we can assist you in protecting your sensitive data.
