Data protection can lower the threat of cyber-attacks that can negatively impact your company and your reputation. It is essential to know the best practices for safeguarding your personal information and adhere to these guidelines. A breach of personal information could result in fines or lawsuits, which may have long-term consequences for your company or yourself.
Secure all your devices and files by using the use of a password. This simple step can ensure that hackers are not able to gain access to your information. Use passwords that are complex and combine numbers, letters and symbols. Change default passwords supplied by the vendor to stronger passwords immediately. Keep your anti-virus software up to date and conduct a security test on your servers and computer.
Don’t send personal information that is confidential or personally identifiable via email. This includes Social Security Numbers, bank account numbers, passwords, etc. Email isn’t safe, and it can be intercepted.
Make sure your network and data are secure – Make sure your laptops, computers, and portable storage devices are secured by using strong encryption when transferring information to third party parties and to safeguard the information stored on these devices. It’s also crucial to have a plan for responding to a cyberattack that includes who to notify and how to respond (e.g. employees, customers, credit agencies).
Make sure you have a copy of all of your data. Store the offline copies in a separate location from the place where your primary copies are kept. This will prevent attackers from gaining unauthorized access to your primary copy or delete it.