In a world where personal information is now a valuable commodity security is the top priority for individuals and businesses of all sizes. A single breach could expose customers to financial loss, identity theft or even lawsuits. Luckily, there are numerous ways to safeguard personal information and to prevent hacking and theft.

TAKE STOCK

Take stock of the amount of sensitive data your company stores in files and on computers, and make a plan to protect it only for as long as necessary. This could include taking inventory of devices that collect personal information, including PIN pads and security cameras as well as identifying connections between computers and external sources such as the internet and computers that are used by service providers to support your network or digital copiers.

SCALE DOWN

Limit access to sensitive information to those who require it. This lowers the risk of an insider attack or loss to hackers. Pro tip: Stick to the principle of least privilege. Give new accounts the www.datafinest.pro/2020/07/07/factors-to-consider-when-implementing-data-management-by-board-room/ lowest level of access to sensitive information and then increase the privileges as the account grows in seniority or the requirement for employment increases.

THEN LOCK IT

Be sure that your passwords are secure, complicated and unique. Passwords that are easy to guess can be cracked in a matter of minutes and used to gain unauthorised access. Do not send passwords via email in plain text. And make sure that all files are encrypted to protect confidential or private information.