Data breaches are increasingly common. It’s not what you want to hear, but it is something you have to understand and react to positively – otherwise, your business could be compromised. Keeping all of your sensitive data and information safe hinges on proactive, innovative strategies.
That’s where the following advice can help. As you head into a future where cyberthreats become bigger and more frequent, here’s how to protect your company successfully.
Implement Advanced Encryption Techniques
Data security’s first line of defense starts with encryption. Advanced encryption techniques, such as AES (Advanced Encryption Standard) and RSA (Rivest-Shamir-Adleman), should be a core component of your security efforts. These encryption techniques convert data into a format unreadable to unauthorized users.
The result: even if the data is intercepted, it remains secure.
Note that your business should employ encryption both for data at rest and in transit. This supplies comprehensive protection against all of the threats that exist.
Database Migration for Enhanced Security
Database migrations play an essential role in upgrading to more secure platforms. Upgrades must be considered continually. For instance, migrating to modern, cloud-based databases offers advanced security features – like automated backups and enhanced access controls – that older systems lack. Cloud providers also continuously update their security protocols, protecting your database against the latest threats.
That’s not all. By migrating to a new platform, your business can reevaluate your data architecture, eliminate redundant data, and ensure only necessary data is stored and protected.
Security Audits and Compliance Checks
Make no mistake: regular security audits and compliance checks are essential. Why? They identify vulnerabilities and check your business is adhering to regulatory standards like GDPR and HIPAA.
These audits help pinpoint weaknesses in your system – and pave the way for corrective measures. Compliance checks, on the other hand, don’t just protect your business from data breaches but also potential legal repercussions.
Employee Training
Sadly, human error is a significant factor in many data breaches. Therefore, educating your employees about best practices in data security is essential. Regular training sessions and awareness programs can make that a reality.
With adequate training, this can play a big role in reducing the risk of accidental breaches. Employees should be trained in aspects such as recognizing phishing attempts, handling sensitive data, and following security protocols.
Use Multi-Factor Authentication
Multi-factor authentication (MFA) adds a welcome extra layer of security. Even if you haven’t heard the official name, you will have encountered MFA. It is a system that requires multiple forms of verification before granting access to data. This is typically used when logging into bank accounts or any other site with financial information.
This strategy is particularly effective against credential-based attacks. That means that even if a password is compromised, unauthorized users will still need to bypass additional security measures. These added security measures can include multi-factor authentication that you have likely already come across, like a biometric fingerprint scan, or a one-time passcode sent to a mobile device.
