We are thankful for the technological advancements that allow us to reach out to our target market easily. It also reduces the cost of onboarding new customers and helps us to retain customers very quickly. Our businesses have increased manifold after we went online. Moreover, online marketplaces have also allowed us to expand our business.
Secure Your Data from Hackers
However, as more and more businesses go online; the risks associated also increase many times. Hackers are lurking and looking for loopholes to do nuisance. Amongst the most significant data breaches include the one at Marriott with the data of 500 million people being compromised in 2018. While phishing and malware are rampant on the world wide web, the hackers are so technologically advanced that they have various ways and means at their disposal.
In this article, we will discuss the various tips to secure your data from being compromised.
Beware of cloud services
While software as a service is the order of the day, it comes with its perils also. You should not be at the mercy of a third-party where you have no control over the security measures deployed by them. Most cloud service providers generally have stringent protection in place; however, you need to put in rigorous processes to ensure this. Some of the entities offer low priced options with an open-source platform. They do not have adequate security measures making your network vulnerable to attacks by cybercriminals.
While entering into an agreement with them, you need to insert a clause that allows you to undertake periodic audits of their networks. Also, you need to note that only protecting the network systems through software will not help. Do request the providers to ensure that the data stored by you is encrypted. It will ensure that even if the networks are hacked, the hackers will not be able to tamper with the data.
Have robust IT processes in place
You will need to have robust IT policies in place. The administrator should be the only person entrusted with all rights and privileges. The other persons having access to the data should not have rights to make alterations to the data. In case the employees need to handle the data, care must be taken to ensure they have not tampered.
The administrator should be the person who can allocate relevant access rights to the team who would have to access the database for any reason. Another significant risk is the wireless networks that are there in your setup. You need to ensure that the password is changed periodically to ensure proper protective measures are in place.
It helps if you have a proper backup process in place. You also need to ensure appropriate protective measures are in place about storing and archiving data files. Proper policies need to be in place to ensure that the data is not tampered with when your personnel is handling the data. It must be assured that all removable drives are blocked from the server area. Similarly, the staff must be adequately checked before they enter as well as when they exit from the server area.
The IT team should ensure the operating system and browsers are updated to the latest version. The operating systems and browsers keep updating their privacy and security setup to prevent any unauthorized access. Keeping this updated will ensure an additional layer of protection for your networks.
Ensure you have protected your network
To protect your network is to request your IT team to select the entire gamut of such software; viz. firewall, antivirus, Intrusion Protection System, etc. The firewall acts as a significant wall of defense against any forms of aggression by hackers. You are required to install firewalls at all terminals in your office to prevent any data breach.
All spam emails need to be blocked. The email policy should inform employees not to open any unsolicited email. It could be a potential risk. The antivirus software will trigger real-time alerts and protect against any malicious content. However, the antivirus software updates periodically with malicious programs. You must also ensure that the latest antivirus version is loaded onto your machines.
Have a proper password policy
The login section to the data-intensive landing pages should be reinforced. You can opt for two-factor authentication for parts that contain sensitive data. Also, the IT team should ensure a strict password policy is in place. The password should include a combination of small letters, capital letters, numbers, and special characters. The password should be such that these are long enough, but easy to remember. Also, they must be changed periodically; ideally, every three months.
Encryption of data
You must ensure that sensitive data is encrypted. It enhances your security as it will not allow any third party to be able to know the communication that is going on. You can ensure data encryption by using the HTTPS protocol. Your login and transaction pages should always use the HTTPS protocol.
Encryption of data is enabled by using EV SSL. It helps to ensure your website has undergone stringent validations tests after which the EV SSL Certificate was provided. Users find it easy to understand the protection level by looking at the padlock at the address bar, company name in the address bar and HTTPS before the domain name. Website best practices require you to deploy the highest standards of encryption that can only be ensured through the EV SSL Certificates. You need to breathe easy! Several service providers are providing EV SSL Certificates.
Conclusion
While the risk of data breach remains and with the cybercriminals having more access to the latest technology, it serves best to be on your guard. You must ensure that all systems are in place to ensure that such attacks are thwarted. You need to audit your network systems through penetration tests to ensure the security systems are impenetrable. Besides, having a proper backup policy also helps you to recover if any untoward incident happens. So, to survive the onslaught from the cybercriminals, you need to deploy the best practices to keep the vultures away from your sensitive data.
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