In an age where personal data has become an invaluable commodity and the need to protect it is a top concern for companies and individuals of all sizes. One breach can put customers at risk of identity theft and other financial harm and could expose companies to penalties, reputational damage, and even lawsuits. Luckily, there are numerous methods that can be employed to safeguard personal data and help prevent hacking and theft.
TAKE STOCK
Plan to keep sensitive information within your company’s best data recovery software files and computers only in the time essential. This could include a review of devices that gather personal data, such as PIN pads and security cameras, as well as identifying connections to external sources like the internet or computers used by service providers to help support your network, or digital copiers.
SCALE DOWN
Limit access to sensitive information only to those who require it. This helps reduce the risk of an insider attack or hacker loss. Pro tip: Stick to a principle called least privilege. For new accounts, you should provide the lowest level of access to sensitive data and increase this privilege as the account gains seniority or the requirement for employment increases.
It is locked. IT
Make sure your passwords are strong, complex, and unique. Passwords that are easy to guess could be hacked, and used for unauthorised access in just a few seconds. Don’t send passwords by emails in plain text. You should also secure all files that contain confidential or private information.