We all want to keep our data safe. Clients won't do business with a firm that isn’t confidential, and colleagues don't want to lose months of work to viruses. But what is the best way to keep your business protected? We've chosen four of the biggest risks to tech security, and suggested a few ways you can deal with them.
Keep tabs on your data
Many security breaches come from inside – this is sometimes done by malicious leakers, but often happens accidentally. To stop this, limit access to any privileged information to a few trusted users within your company. Then track use of this info, so that when a data breach does occur, you can tackle it more effectively. Make sure you delete any inactive accounts within your systems.
Educate users
Over a third of respondents to our home working survey said that they use the same phone for their work and personal use. So-called Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) is common in companies of all sizes. However, this shortcut has its risks, as employees can access malware from behind company firewalls – or simply lose their mobile phones. To minimise damage, draw up a company policy on the use of work devices. Better still, run classes to educate workers on strong passwords and avoiding hackers.
Keep tech up to date
If a device is old, it is more susceptible to attack. ‘Unpatchable’ devices are those that cannot be fixed with a software update – new hardware is needed. For example, Microsoft no longer supports Windows 2003, leaving thousands of customers more exposed. To combat this, update your hardware, use programmes that prompt users to renew security, and regularly back up all data. Our research shows that only 26.1 per cent of you back up your data daily, while 36.2 per cent only occasionally or never back up their data. While this may seem expensive, it's a worthwhile investment.
Use trusted providers
Many companies outsource to support and maintain their systems – but be careful who you're dealing with. Millions of credit card details were stolen from US shops Home Depot and Target when trusted vendors’ accounts were infiltrated by hackers. Make sure your provider is using multifactor authentication, requiring unique credentials for each user, tracking remote access, and offering varied permissions services. When using virtual offices or video conferencing, use a trusted and encrypted service.
Keeping data safe isn't always free, but investing in security is a necessary expense. Consider the security of your data in the same way you would the safety of your office – you wouldn't give the key to anyone or use a key that could be easily copied, and you wouldn't leave the door open when you leave. Lock up and limit access to keep your data safely out of harm's (and hackers') way.