How to protect your business data and safeguard client privacy
There have been several instances when companies have had to face a tough time due to data security breach. It not only tarnishes your brand image but you lose trust of clients, whether old or new. Remember, it is just more than drafting a privacy policy and terms and conditions document. In this write-up, let us find out how you can build a privacy plan for the same.
Importance of data security for a business
This area should undoubtedly be one of the main areas of concern. It carries not just financial information but also private information of clients. A single breach could jeopardize your company operations leave aside the image that you have built all these years. Recently, there has been a lot of hue and cry about companies losing credibility due to data breach; even the corporate giants were not spared.
Given below are few measures that you can take so that these disastrous events can be kept at bay as much as possible. So, check out these steps-
1. Set up passwords that are strong
While securing your data, one of the best ways to secure data is to set up password which is strong and one that cannot be guessed by anyone. Also, it should be safeguarded and let out only to individuals that are required to know the same.
Ideally, the password should be of 15 to 20 characters, which will be a combination of letters of lower case, upper case, numbers, and alpha numerical, and sometimes symbols. However, there is a catch here, you must avoid incorporating your date of birth or common words or spell your name backwards and so forth.
2. Install firewall
Firewalls are mandatory if you want to secure your network. Web traffic is supervised by a firewall and monitors incoming as well as outgoing traffic from your network.
3. Invest in reliable anti virus
Your antivirus software and malware applications are 2 powerful tools that can safeguard your business from cyber attacks. As far as selecting the software is concerned, opt for a reliable brand and thoroughly go through the plans they offer and most importantly about the follow-up support that vendors must take care of. As far as funding for these solutions are concerned, you have to invest a considerable amount of cash for the same.
Make sure investing in expensive ones will not push you into financial stress as in the case of opting for payday loans from a direct lender. When you talk to the after support team, make sure the reputation of the vendor is good so that you can avoid responding to nuisance calls and messages. Read more in the paragraphs below for other steps you can take to prevent data breach.
4. Keep programs updated
It is essential to keep your programs updated from time to time. They should be ‘patched’ properly aside from being updated. Regardless of how expensive security settings you have set up, unless they are current, it is of no good. In fact, it is the same as not having any protection at all.
5. Update individual devices
When you are running a business, you have to be on the move always, sometimes operating from your office and sometimes from your hand held devices. These devices have to be updated on a regular basis too. The best is to “encrypt” your devices, especially laptop since it contains bulk data related to your business.
Few other measures that you can take include the following-
- Take regular backups
- Carry out a data privacy audit from time to time
- Data collection and retention has to be minimized as much as possible