In today’s digital world, data is a valuable resource and its security has become a paramount business for digital service providers. Businesses that take advantage of the vast storage capacity of a digital warehouse are prime targets for cybercriminals for their thievery, which can compromise your business’ clients, employees, and stakeholders.
Hacking, What is it?
There are different types of computer hacking, but in this context, we will be discussing the undesirable kind. Simply put, it can be defined as unauthorized access to a private network by exploiting weaknesses in the system’s structure. Then the hacker takes control of the system and enforces its will on the system such as copying, deleting, or manipulating data from within. They can prevent rightful access once they have gotten control and can inflict terrible damage to your business information database.
How Can You Protect Your Business?
Inventory
Make an assessment of your digital resources and the kind of data that you collect for your business. You will then determine the required protection needed for that information and the policies you’ll have to enforce. An IT support in Tokyo proposes that an organization’s security policy should be in line with their identified exposure to security risks and the necessary coverage that suits their budget. This entails identifying the different ways of data being accessed, where they are stored (hard drives, cloud servers, remote computers, etc.), and other details, all of which compose how a security policy should be drafted.
Manage Data Properly
You will then need to put up measures to prevent unwittingly exposing data by human errors, device malfunction, and data breach. Always have backup storage away from the main operating system, and do a regular clean up of unnecessary data to create an efficient workflow devoid of unused and unwanted data. This will make it easy to protect your system and optimize data processing.
Use Strong Password
Make sure all of your devices are required to have strong passwords that contain multiple numbers, case-sensitive letters, and symbols. Default passwords given by system administrators should be changed by the end-user to protect your system from unauthorized access.
You can also implement a two-step verification method when accessing sensitive information by sending a one-time PIN via SMS or voice call. Along with a regular password change, your system will have a strong defense on the user level.
Update Antivirus
Viruses, spyware, malware, and other malicious programs can enter your system via e-mail or visited websites. Additionally, they are also evolving to get through outdated antivirus software. So, businesses should invest in antivirus software and must install updates whenever possible.
Educate Employees
Educate your employees about your Information Security Policy as the human factor in computer systems is often where a breakdown in protocols occur. By educating them on how to scrutinize and report suspicious emails, validate websites, and be wary of information phishing. Large organizations conduct at least a once a year data security course to all employees as part of their compliance to policies enforced by regulating bodies.
It will always be a constant struggle between hackers and system security in terms of data protection and usage. In recent years, several big companies have fallen victim to data breach and organized cybercrime. Those who have sufficient measures were left unscathed while others came out with minimal damages, but there are those whose incurred damage cost them dearly.