In a world where personal information has become a vital commodity, protecting it is the top priority for individuals and businesses of all sizes. A single breach could expose clients to financial loss, identity theft or even lawsuits. Fortunately, there are many methods that can be employed to safeguard personal data and prevent hacking and theft.
TAKE STOCK
Create a plan to store sensitive information in your business’s files and computers only until it’s necessary. This could include taking stock of devices that gather information, such as PIN pads and cameras for surveillance, as well as identifying computer connections with external sources like the internet and computers that are used to support your network by service providers, or a digital copier.
SCALE DOWN
Limit access to sensitive data to those who require it. This reduces the risk of an insider attack or loss to hackers. Pro tip: Stick to the principle of least privilege. New accounts should be given the lowest access level to sensitive data and increase this privilege as the account gains seniority or the job requirement grows.
THEN LOCK IT
Be sure that your passwords are secure, complicated, and unique. Easy-to-guess passwords can be hacked, and used for unauthorized access in seconds. Don’t send passwords in plain text via email and be sure to encrypt any data that contains sensitive or private information.