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Data loss and theft can damage any business and cause it to close down. To avoid this scenario, every computer user should master how storing information securely. Practice shows that ESXi backup and storage without proper safeguards are insufficient. Thus, it’s vital to come up with additional practical measures you can take to secure your invaluable data. Continue reading to benefit and protect your sensitive information.
Protect Your WiFi
If you have a WiFi network for your business, safeguard it because it could compromise your data security. You have to encrypt and hide it from external users. Otherwise, hackers will break in, corrupting, stealing, and even wiping out all your data. You can protect it by changing your router default admin password. Secure it by configuring the use of WPA2 coding, updating its firmware, and securing your router physically.
Create a Mobile Device Action Plan
The modern business environment has gone mobile. Therefore, your plan to secure valuable business information is incomplete without a specific strategy to protect your company’s mobile devices. You need to protect your corporate mobile devices through data encryption, security apps installation, and secure passwords. Besides, consider establishing a procedure for reporting and wiping out lost or stolen mobile gadgets.
Security Awareness Training
Your plans to protect business data will fail if you exclude your team. It’s beneficial to train your staff on the importance of data security, teaching them how to abide by its requirements. You will need to create a friendly data security culture in your team as opposed to official procedures and rules. If possible, simulate a data breach by hackers to test the staff’s readiness to handle various attacks, such as phishing.
Prevent Loss Through Backups
Prevention is indeed better than cure. So, you need to take a proactive move and back up your sensitive data to enhance their security. A backup strategy will assist you in surviving an emergency. When backing your information, remember to address the following issues:
- The type of backup your company needs. For example, determine if you need an on-site, cloud, or both backups.
- What resources you require to back up.
- The possible threats you are protecting them against.
- Your recovery goal (how long you can do without the data before your business grinds to a halt).
Hackerproof Your CMS
It’s also beneficial to hackerproof your Content Management System. Otherwise, these boys will find easy loopholes to hack into your system and wreak havoc. You will need to protect your business data in them by taking the following measures:
- Removing all front-end login and allowing only users to access it using a back-end administrator screen.
- Using a unique username identity instead of the typical “administrator” tag.
- Updating your systems regularly, using anti-spam programs, and scanning your CMS files.
- Being wary of add-ons in your systems. Every CMS indeed needs add-ons, themes, and plugins to work better. However, be cautious because some of them are unsafe. Therefore, research every add-on’s safety before installing it.
- Hiding your “wp-includes” folder if you use WordPress because it’s open to the public; hence, it can expose your system to hackers. Instead, replace it with a blank ‘index.html’ file.
Control Physical Access
You can also protect your business data by controlling access to your computers. Make sure you create user accounts for your workers. It’s also prudent to lock away laptops carrying private information to avoid unauthorized staff access and use. Remember to use strong passwords on all your computers.
Don’t Underestimate Paper Data
Many business owners underestimate the potential paper information has. They assume that only computerized data systems are at risk. However, your company’s softcopy data could still leak into hackers’ hands via paper. Therefore, keep away all documents with private information from all the wrong hands. Remember, hackers can use it to create false identities and access your softcopy information. Also, consider hiring shredding services that can help comply with your organization’s legal, regulatory, and internal audit requirements.
Limit Access
Lastly, it may help to set access limits for different staff members. Ensure they only access the information they need for work. Also, don’t allow them to install any programs on your office computers.
The facts you need to protect your company data are here. It’s your turn to convert them into corresponding acts to secure your company’s critical information.
