In a world where personal information has become a vital commodity and is now an important concern for both businesses of all sizes. A single breach could put customers at risk of identity theft, as well as other financial damage and expose businesses to penalties, reputational harm and even lawsuits. There are many ways to safeguard your personal data and stop hackers from gaining access to it.
TAKE STOCK
Plan to keep sensitive data in your business’s computer and files only in the time essential. This could include taking stock of devices that collect information, such as PIN pad and cameras for surveillance, as well as the identification of connections between computers and external sources, like the internet and computers that are used to support your network by service providers, or digital copier.
SCALE DOWN
Limit access to sensitive information only to those who need it. This reduces the potential of an insider threat or loss from hackers. Pro tip: Stick to the principle of least privilege by giving new accounts the smallest level of access to sensitive data. They can increase the privilege only when they advance in seniority or are required to do so by their job.
LOCK IT
Be sure that your passwords are secure, complex, and unique. Passwords that are easy to guess can be hacked in a matter of minutes and used to gain unauthorized access. Don’t send passwords in plain text via e-mail and be sure data room to encrypt any data that contains sensitive or private information.