In a world where personal information is a valuable resource, protecting that data is a top concern for both individuals and companies of all sizes. One breach could expose clients to financial loss, identity theft or even lawsuits. There are many ways to safeguard your personal information and avoid hacking.
TAKE STOCK
Make a plan for storing sensitive information in your company’s computers and files only until it’s necessary. This could include taking stock of devices that collect data, such as PIN pads and cameras for surveillance. It could also include monitoring connections to external sources, like the internet or computers used to help support your network by service providers, or a digital copier.
SCALE DOWN
Limit access to sensitive information only to those who require access to it. This minimizes the chance of an insider attack or loss to hackers. Pro tip: Apply the principle of least privilege. Give new accounts the lowest level of access to sensitive data. Then increase that privilege as the account gains years of experience or the job requirements grows.
THEN LOCK IT
Be sure that your passwords are strong, complex, and unique. Easy-to-guess passwords can be hacked and used for an unauthorised access within a matter of minutes. Don’t send passwords by emails in plain text. You should also encrypt all files that contain sensitive or private information.