5 Data Security Tips for Your Small Business

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Cybercriminals and data breaches have become an increasing problem in recent years. According to various studies, that will show no signs of stopping in the years to come.

If you want your business to succeed in the modern world, you simply have to take data security seriously. So what steps can you take to keep your company safe from cyber attacks and data loss? This article lists five key points to keep in mind.

1. Strong Passwords

One of the most critical parts of business security is having strong passwords. Poor password practices account for a large proportion of hacks on companies.

So what can you do to ensure your organization doesn’t have weak passwords? One potential solution is using a password management system. Something like enterprise password management is a great way to have strong passwords without needing to have annoying password policies.

2. Keep Apps Up to Date

Another big one of the data security tips is to always make sure your company apps are up to date. Over time, certain security vulnerabilities are found in software.

This makes it easier for hackers to exploit apps to access systems. Developers are aware of this, so they push out security patches to plug the gaps.

The trouble is, if you’re not keeping your software up to date, you’re not getting these vital security updates.

3. Run Backups

The biggest cyber threat out there continues to be ransomware. Ransomware works by encrypting your files and then demanding cash payment in return for the encryption key.

The good news is that you can defend against this kind of attack with a robust backup system. Rather than pay the criminals, you can simply roll back to your last good configuration.

If you have a backup system that backs up every day, this means the maximum you could ever lose is a single day’s work. That’s not bad at all, considering ransomware attacks have literally bankrupted whole companies in the past!

4. Work With a Security Consultant

The world of cyber security and information technology is incredibly complex. If you take your company security seriously, it makes a lot of sense to bring in an outside expert.

A cybersecurity consultant can help you identify any issues you may have with your company’s security systems.

5. Have a Security Culture

Finally, it’s vital that your organization has a good security culture. This is often one of the most challenging things for companies to get right. This is because you can’t simply have a one-off security seminar and expect to create a secure culture.

Having a security culture is an active process that should always be ongoing.

Data Security Will Become More Essential in the Years to Come

Data security has become one of the essential parts of business security, and there’s no indication this trend will stop any time soon. Data is the lifeblood of your organization, and you’ll need to keep it safe from hackers and data loss if you want to be successful.

If you want to learn more about other cybersecurity-related topics, check out the rest of our blog posts.