In the digital age, your online security is one of the most important elements of your business management. Strong online security is the best way to not only protect yourself and your company, but also to ensure that your staff, customers, and suppliers are all secure as well.
Most Ignored IT Security Best Practices
There are some key basics that you need to be aware of, and if you’re failing to keep up with the changing needs when it comes to digital security, then you are leaving yourself exposed to the risks of cybercrime.
These forms of criminal activity are increasingly sophisticated and prolific, and it is up to you to ensure that you are following these three best practices that will keep you and those around you as safe as possible.
1) Vital Password Security
If you or anyone you employ is using ‘Password123’ as their password, then you already have a problem. When the most common reason for data breaches is employee password use, you should constantly be stressing the need to much better manage your business accounts with stronger passwords.
Many companies are changing the way that they designate passwords, with many opting to make use of passphrases, which allow for longer strings that are as easy to remember as simple keywords.
There are pros and cons to this system, however, and if you’re using a large number of password-reliant systems, then it may be worth looking at the vast range of password management systems that can add an extra layer of security to your online data.
2) Using Clouds
Using one of the cloud options when it comes to data storage is becoming more common, and that’s not a surprise. Cloud platforms allow you to store data in large quantities, and can provide backup should you lose vital information.
There are a number of ways of making sure that you are using the best security means when it comes to using cloud-based platforms, so you need to look at the requirements for each system. If you’re using the Amazon Web Service (AWS) system, then Skyhigh have compiled a checklist that will strengthen your AWS Cloud Security, allowing you move forward more confidently.
Knowing that you are doing all which is possible when it comes to protecting your data is not only an additional selling point for your business but also increases confidence when consumers are deciding whether to use your services.
3) Access
Not all of your employees need to be able to access all of your data. No matter whether you have five staff members or 500, you need to be aware and restrictive when it comes to allowing access. Protecting your data often means making sure that your employees are trained in the risks and the identifiers when it comes to online scams and hacks.
So, even if you limit access until a staff member has taken security training, or removing access for those departments that don’t need it, you’ll be keeping your data much safer than if you allow all access to all staff. Look at who needs the information, and assess whether they can be trusted to follow security protocols, and you reduce your cybercrime risks substantially.
Following these basic safety tips will ensure that you are providing the safest environment possible in the digital age, and are the best ways to ensure that your company reduces the risk of data loss and potential damage to your reputation.
