In a world in which personal information is a valuable resource, protecting the security of that data is a primary issue for both individuals and companies of all sizes. A single breach could expose customers to identity theft or other financial harm and could expose companies to penalties, reputational harm and even lawsuits. Luckily, there are numerous ways to protect personal information and help prevent hacking and theft.

TAKE STOCK

Consider the amount of sensitive data your company holds in files and on computers and devise a strategy to only keep it for as long as necessary. This could include taking inventory of devices that gather personal information, including PIN pads and security cameras as well as identifying connections between computers and external sources, such as the internet, computers that are used by service providers to help support your https://datafinest.pro/2021/09/01/what-is-the-best-cloud-document-storage/ network or digital copiers.

SCALE DOWN

Limit access to sensitive information to those who require it. This minimizes the chance of an insider attack or loss to hackers. Pro tip: Follow a principle called least privilege. For new accounts, you should provide the lowest level of access to sensitive data and increase that privilege as the account gains rank or the job requirement increases.

THEN LOCK IT

Make sure your passwords are secure, complicated and unique. Passwords that are easy to guess can be hacked in a matter seconds and used to gain unauthorised access. Don’t send passwords via email in plain text. Also, ensure that all files contain private or confidential information.