5 Ways to Prevent Data Breaches

Featured article by Robert Cordray, Independent Technology Author

In a world where data is one of the most valuable assets a business and individual has, security breaches have become increasingly common. Better hardware and software tools for deterrence are being developed, but so are the malware and methods being used to punch holes through them. As a business owner, you have to accept the unfortunate reality that threats no longer just exist in physical form. A digital war between good and evil is transpiring as we speak and it is your duty to make sure your castle is well-prepared to defend its treasures of data. Here are five ways to prevent data breaches.

Know What You’re Up Against

Just as medical staff know the markers to look for in different diseases before its onset, knowing the signs and symptoms of a cyber attack can help you better defend against it through early detection and prompt response. Common types of cyber attacks include APTs, DDoS, password attacks, malware, inside attacks, and phishing. Hackers will target any size and sort of business, but small businesses are the usual victims since they have more electronic assets to obtain than an ordinary person, but with a weaker and cheaper security system than what larger corporations implement and splurge on.

Add a Layer of Network Security

It costs money to purchase third-party software that encrypts traffic and gives you a peace of mind that security analytics tools offer. According to Blue Coat, albeit, 70 percent of small businesses who are victims of data breach end up losing as much as $10,000. Regardless of what network security provider or product you choose, the price is definitely a fraction of the $10,000 you stand to lose if you skimp out on network security or forgo it altogether. Security analytics, such as the one provided by Blue Coat, is a powerful solution that pinpoints the full gravity and extent of cyber threats. This ultimately results in faster response time for launching a comprehensive network forensics investigation.

Dispose What You Don’t Need

Companies often cling onto data they no longer need. This is a waste of hard drive or office space and can be a desirable point of access targeted by hackers and their choice of malware. Minimize these access points by only keeping information you need. Any data to be disposed should be destroyed first. Shred paper-based documents, scratch the sensitive surface of CDs and DVDs, delete files on your computer and flash drives.

Train Your Employees

A single employee can bring about the destruction of your cybersecurity defenses. Without adequate know-how of security systems and proper safety measures for management and disposal of data, they can leave gateways open from where a hacker can launch his/her attacks. Develop and enforce written policies regarding privacy and data security. Simple but effective measures for data security include changing passwords regularly, checking hardware and software programs for compromised content, and blocking websites that are deemed unneeded for daily operations.

Manage Remote Offices

It’s easy to lose track of home-based employees and remote offices when you’re focused on your headquarters. In fact, according to PNMSoft, today’s businesses are increasingly managed offsite; with employees completing their tasks from remote locations. This means business data may be passing through networks that are unchecked and possibly unsafe. Your employees might use Starbucks’ Wifi or a similar public network to connect to your company site through an administrator account. This may be the one chance that hackers are waiting for to penetrate your business’ database.

Still think data breaches are rare and likely won’t happen to your business? In the first half of 2016 alone, 450+ data breaches were reported, with more than 12 million files exposed. The financial losses can significantly impact your business, but even more so is the loss of consumer and investor confidence and the irreparably damaged integrity of your brand, which can debilitate it for decades to come.