Data security is vital for your business. With most businesses embracing digital transformation, the need to protect data has never been stronger.
Data breaches and losses can lead to downtime, while your business also faces some significant financial and reputational risks.
Having a data security plan in place helps guard your business from external threats, while also enhancing the way you protect your data. Explore eight steps you can take to help strengthen your data security for a more robust organization.
1. Identify your risks
Before you can make any improvements to your data security, you need to carry out a risk assessment.
A data risk assessment will help you identify the types of data at risk, potential threats and controls you can put in place to protect your business.
Conducting a risk assessment is an effective way to establish the position your business is currently in, and give you a plan to make improvements so that every part of your business has been considered.
Once your risk assessment has been completed, it’s vital that you stay up-to-date in the latest threats. Carrying out a data protection impact assessment (DPIA) can be particularly useful to help you assess the risks for any new projects carried out by your business.
2. Provide in-depth cybersecurity training to employees
Many data breaches are the result of human error.
An effective training program can help enhance your cybersecurity resilience strategy, and ensure employees feel confident in knowing how to prevent attacks and protect the data they are responsible for.
Teaching employees about phishing attempts and other cybersecurity strategies can help ensure they’re up-to-date on the latest threats.
Many businesses carry out mock phishing attempts to test employee awareness and ensure the right security measures are being taken.
Deal with any failures quickly. This would help workers who are unsure or lack confidence to take steps towards better data protection going forward.
Communicate any data handling policies carefully to employees, and accessible to them at any time.
3. Secure your network infrastructure
Securing your network infrastructure will help your business stay protected against any outside attempts to breach your systems.
While most large businesses are already doing this, smaller businesses risk being left behind.
Enhancing your security infrastructure doesn’t have to be difficult or expensive, and some of the best practices for businesses of all sizes include:
- Implementing firewalls and intrusion detection systems.
- Ensuring all software and security patches are regularly updated.
- Maintaining secure connections through VPNs and encrypted networks. This has become even more important for businesses operating remotely or on a hybrid basis.
4. Make sure sensitive data is encrypted
Effective data encryption includes adhering to strong encryption standards, such as AES-256 and SSL/TLS, and providing employees with training and best practices to maintain standards within your business.
One of the most effective ways to protect sensitive data is to encrypt it. Encrypting data goes beyond password-protecting files, thanks to end-to-end encryption helping organizations implement the highest levels of security for their data.
Ensure your business has the knowledge and tools to action data encryption properly.
5. Always monitor the latest threats
Improving your data protection procedures is an ongoing effort that needs to adapt and grow in line with the latest threats.
Having systems in place to monitor real-time threats can protect your business even further. This ensures you’re aware of the latest threats and trends to implement the most appropriate security measures to your business.
Small businesses can partner with managed IT or cybersecurity services to help monitor threats on their behalf. This ensures the latest protection is always in place.
6. Implement strong access controls
Having the right access controls in place helps give your business the best protection from hackers, phishing and more. While people may still try to access your systems and data, having strong access controls will stop them from breaking through.
Multi-factor authentication (MFA) is essential for user access to most systems. From social media to company email systems, having MFA in place can enhance your security, and stop people from accessing your accounts and data.
Many companies adopt a principle of least privilege (POLP) approach, limiting access to data based in need, and being strict in who gets access to what information.
7. Use effective data center coolers
Protecting your data doesn’t just mean protecting its virtual space, it’s also important to protect where it is housed to limit the risk of failures.
If your business uses a data center, you’ll need to prevent overheating to help maintain optimal performance and maintain data security.
Efficient data center cooling systems, including rack cooling and room-based cooling methods, can help you maintain consistent temperatures and protect outages that could end up being costly to your business.
Careful monitoring of temperature and humidity levels is also important to prevent damage and equipment failures.
8. Ensure all data is backed up carefully
Backing up your data should be nothing new, but if you’re using the same backup strategy you’ve always had, it’s time to think about some changes.
One of the most effective backup processes is the 3-2-1 backup rule, which means keeping three copies of files, using two different types of storage, one of which is kept offsite.
Backup systems are most effective when they’re automatic, protecting data in real time.
It’s important to monitor and test your backup and recovery procedures regularly to ensure your current systems are effective.
Conclusion
Data is at the heart of many businesses. Whether you deal with sensitive personal information or financial information, it’s important to take a proactive approach to data security.
The breaches you hear about on the news lead to severe consequences for the businesses involved. You can prevent many by using the right data protection strategy.
Assess the risk to your business and carry out regular reviews. This ensures the best data protection for your business, both now and in the future.
