Data Security Mistakes and How To Protect Your Business

Are you guilty of making these technology and data security mistakes?

The number of successful data breaches is growing thanks to the increased attack surfaces created by more complex IT environments, widespread adoption of cloud services, and the sophisticated nature of cybercriminals.  Thankfully, security breaches are preventable so long as organizations avoid these common pitfalls, but without knowing and avoiding said pitfalls, businesses will continue to be at risk.

Here are security failures that could lead to costly errors.

Doing the Bare Minimum

There are plenty of things a person can skimp on but security is not one of them.  Many companies reach for the lowest-hanging fruit when it comes to data protection.  While these systems can do the job, there are thousands of other options that are stronger and better equipped to deal with a variety of issues.  The solution? Take data protection seriously by making an investment.  This doesn’t mean companies need to spend millions of dollars on the highest level of security; rather, that there should be a process of evaluation for various security providers to determine what security system best fits your business’ needs.

Using Outdated Technology

No matter how effective a piece of equipment or version of software may be, it’s always one day closer to being obsolete.  It is essential you remain vigilant with software patches or updates to existing devices and budget for replacement technology to keep your data safe.

Understanding From Where Data Is Coming (and Where It’s Going)

Your data is is everything to your company.  Knowing and and charting where that data goes, especially if it’s going outside of your organization, with whom it’s shared, and where it lives at rest, is integral to knowing what you need to protect.

Discounting Analog Files, Old Media, and More

If you’re in the habit of stockpiling old computers and devices, you’re leaving yourself open for a security breach.  Just because a hard drive is old, it doesn’t mean it’s inaccessible.  Data thieves are very skilled at what they do, and will stop at nothing to make sure they can get the information they want.  The best and most secure method of rendering hard drive information completely unusable is to completely destroy it through hard drive shredding. What’s more, no one ever thinks of garbage as valuable, but to an identity theft, your trash can become another person’s treasure.  There is a paper trail of garbage that contains some of our most personal information.  Don’t throw anything in the trash that is questionable.  Consider using a locked bin for items that should be shredded and leave the trash receptacle out of it.

The most important asset of your business is your data, whether it’s client information, proprietary product information, marketing plans, and even employee information.  If this information falls into the wrong hands, you risk identity theft, product theft, intellectual property theft — the list goes on.  Aside from keeping documents and files locked, the best way to boost your privacy is have a shred-all policy.  A shred-all policy simplifies the process of document destruction; where there might be confusion over what to shred versus what to toss, shred-all is exactly that.

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Data Security Mistakes

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