Contents
Data remains the most valuable asset of any business. Unlike operating systems and applications, once data is lost or seen by the wrong person, disaster may lurk around every corner.
The data often contains sensitive information, such as financial records or trade secrets. Social security numbers, credit card information and more could be exposed. When that happens, identity theft becomes a real concern.
Many individuals looking for IT solutions for your business to minimize the odds of a data breach. They find themselves overwhelmed trying to keep up with the tasks necessary to protect the data.
However, every business can take simple steps to keep their information secure.
1. Software Updates
Equifax learned the importance of applying software updates the hard way. In 2019, the company was ordered to pay $575 million after it failed to apply a security patch to one of its database software programs.
However, Equifax is not alone. JP Morgan Chase and Yahoo are two additional companies that have been hit with a security breach after the companies failed to apply software patches. Every company must apply these updates as soon as they are released.
2. Password Updates
Individuals need to create strong passwords and avoid using the same password across multiple sites. Long passwords are best, and every password should contain a combination of letters and numbers. Mix uppercase and lowercase letters when creating the password, and never use popular passwords.
Mobile devices should use both a strong password and fingerprint or TOUCH ID. Many people today use a password manager to keep track of all passwords.
3. Remove Lock-Screen Notifications
People need to turn off lock-screen notifications on their mobile devices. These notifications often reveal personal information that anyone in the vicinity of the phone can see.
By disabling these notifications, a person can ensure prying eyes don’t get access to their text messages or social media notifications.
The steps required for removing these notifications depend on the mobile device being used.
4. Data Encryption
Many people don’t realize they can encrypt text messages and emails on their mobile devices to keep others from accessing them without authorization. With this encryption, the data is scrambled.
A person must have a key to make sense of what it says. Today, there are free apps that encrypt data on mobile devices.
Computer users will find they can set passwords for documents when using productivity apps. The individual can even choose the type of encryption that want to use.
5. Routine Backups
Countless individuals and businesses neglect to back up their data. When there is a security breach, this data may be lost forever.
Routine backups ensure this is not the case. The information can be easily restored from the backup file.
In fact, the backup will allow the data to be restored when a device is affected by technical malfunctions, ransomware, and malicious hacking. Choose to back the material up to an online service, an external hard drive, or both. Backing it up to both a service and an external hard drive offers the highest level of protection.
No business or individual can be too cautious when it comes to data security. Using the above methods helps to keep data safe.
However, other steps may also be taken to achieve this goal. Consider working with an IT professional to obtain the highest level of data security. This helps to protect against a security breach and keeps sensitive information away from unauthorized users.
