In a world where personal data is an extremely valuable commodity, protecting this data is a major concern for individuals and companies of all sizes. A single breach can put customers at risk of identity theft and other financial harm and could expose companies to penalties, reputational harm, and even lawsuits. There are a variety of ways to protect personal data and stop hackers from gaining access to it.
TAKE STOCK
Review the amount of sensitive data your business has in computer files and on servers and create a plan to keep it only the amount of time that is needed. This may include taking inventory of devices that collect personal data, such as PIN pads and security cameras as well as the identification of computer connections to external sources, such as the internet and computers that are used by service providers to support your network or digital copiers.
SCALE DOWN
Limit access to sensitive data to those who require it. This lowers the risk of an insider attack or hacker loss. Pro what is the best cloud document storage tip: Apply the principle of least privilege, which means granting new accounts the smallest level of access to sensitive data, and increasing the privilege only when they gain seniority or job necessity.
THEN LOCK IT
Make sure that passwords are secure, complicated, and unique. Simple passwords can be hacked, and used for unauthorised access in a matter of seconds. Also, don’t transmit passwords in plain text via email and be sure to secure any data that contains sensitive or private information.