In this day and age, it goes without saying that data is an important business asset. On many occasions, it is a currency that needs to be valued and duly protected. Otherwise, your business will face many problems in case important data get lost or compromised. Regardless of the industry, it is a must that you set up the necessary measures to protect your data and your business in general.
But how do you know if you are doing enough? The first step is to know the possible risks that may endanger the safety of your files. Meet with your IT head and some of the stakeholders in the business and pin down all the possible risks that may impact your operations. For you to have a head start, this article lists down some of the major data risks that your business is supposed to prepare for. Here are some of them:
The Carelessness of Employees
Get this straight: Not all data breaches are directly caused by hackers. Some breaches and losses happen because of the employees. Some employees click on advertising links and malicious attachments, which may contain malware that can compromise your system. To avoid certain problems, it is a must that you educate your employees about discerning legitimate files and links from malicious ones.
Unconditionally Allowing Employees to Access Your Data
This is something prevalent among small businesses. Owners usually allow their employees to access their data pool and files, but this is something that you should not practice. It would be wise to appoint a data security chief that will manage the protocols and discern who will be allowed to access the data. While you are at it, come up with strong passwords and organize the data properly to avoid accidental or even intentional access.
Lack of Security Protocols
You may have some security protocols, but are they enough? Security protocols do not just end with installing anti-malware software. They are also about making sure that your business will be able to go on in case breaches happen. A recovery plan should also be in place. This is why many businesses use o365 email backup services and similar solutions.
Picking the Wrong Cloud Provider
The Cloud is the way to go if your business favors flexible and remote work arrangements, but you have to check the safety features of the cloud provider you are working with. Some cloud providers may have loopholes in their system or they may be exploiting your data without you knowing it.
The importance of business data has never been more underscored, especially that during these times, people with malicious intent will exploit the weakness of your security system. What you should do is have a thorough assessment of your data security system and pin down all the possible threats. After that, outline your solutions and set up the measures, so that you can avoid possible data breaches. It would also be sensible if you seek the services of a reliable data security and back-up services provider.
