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How to Ensure Your Data is Protected

Posted on the 29 August 2014 by Techdrink @techdrink1

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14351128982_a81d4c0181_oKnowing how to protect your valuable data is essential for any business owner. Cyber security has become an even bigger issue in recent years due to the number of businesses that are now completely migrating their internal systems to the cloud.

With all the benefits that using cloud-based software provides, it does leave your data vulnerable to being accessed by outsiders if you’re not well-informed on the subject of information security and how to protect your data. With this in mind, below are some of the best ways to ensure your data is well protected.

Train your employees

Something that far too many business owners underestimate is the risk that their own staff pose to the security of business data. Whilst malicious leaking of information by former employees is a risk, a much more prevalent danger is that one of your employees who will unknowingly put your data at risk simply because they’re not properly trained. Simple things such as sharing log-in information can greatly compromise any security measures you have in place.

There are many excellent cyber security training courses available that will bring your staff up to speed on best practices in cyber security.

Encrypt your data

Encrypting your data is an excellent way to cut down the risk of a data breach. Regardless of where your data is being stored, whether it’s in the cloud, on your business computers or on a USB drive, you should always ensure that it’s encrypted. In this way your data is only accessible to those with the correct password for it.

Perform security audits

Performing a full security audit is vital. It will let you know exactly which areas of your business are most vulnerable and therefore you can take measures to improve security as needed. It’s always recommended that you get an IT professional to do a security audit. You can get protection for your business with NCC Group’s security audit service, which will ensure every aspect of your IT security is assessed.

Use strong passwords

This may seem like an obvious security measure to take but it’s very easy to simply use passwords that are short and easy to remember for the sake of convenience. This is not a good idea.

Hackers often use what is known as “dictionary attacks”, which, as the name implies, is where they use automated tools that run through different combinations of dictionary words and numbers to track and hack your passwords. This is why the most secure passwords are a random combination of upper and lower case letters, symbols and numbers.

There are a lot of good password generators online that will automatically generate strong passwords for you.

Backup your data

Backing up your data is extremely important. Too many businesses assume that because their data is in the cloud, that means it’s safe forever. This simply isn’t the case so any vital data related to your business should be backed up regularly. Just as important as backing your data up is to check any backed up data to ensure that it will be accessible when you need it.

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