Protecting your data can help reduce the risk of cyber-attacks which can affect your business or personal reputation. It is essential to understand and adhere to the best practices when it comes to safeguarding sensitive information. A breach of personal information could lead to legal action or fines. This could have long-term implications for your business or you personally.
Password protect all devices and files This simple step can deter hackers from accessing your information. Use strong passwords using complex combinations of numbers, letters and symbols. Change default passwords provided by vendors to more secure ones as soon as you can. Keep your anti-virus software up to date and conduct a security test on your servers and computer.
Do not send sensitive or personally identifiable information via email. This includes Social Security Numbers, bank account numbers passwords, etc. Email isn’t secure, and it is susceptible to being accessed.
Make sure your data and network board software are secure. Make sure your laptops, computers and portable storage devices are protected by using strong encryption when you send information to third party parties and to safeguard the information stored on these devices. It is also essential to have a strategy for responding to a cyber attack and who to notify and how to respond (e.g., employees and customers, credit bureaus, etc.).).
Make sure you backup of all your data Keep offline copies of the most important data in different places from where the primary copies are kept. This will prevent hackers from gaining access to your primary copy, or from delete it.