Top ways you can boost data security for your company

When you own your own company, there is a lot of responsibility on your shoulders.

At the end of the day, it’s down to you that the business is staffed properly, that customers are taken care of, your cash flow is smooth and healthy, and that everything runs like a well-oiled machine. Of course, there is no shortage of challenges and obstacles that can stand in the way of your business being successful, with one of the most prominent being the topic of data security.

Security in companies is nothing new, but the fact that it has become such a huge topic and risk is definitely something that is forcing owners to take notice. Looking at hackers alone, one in five UK firms was attacked in 2017, which is a pretty sizeable number. Not only that but a report also showed that just 24% of UK businesses had adequate security in place that would prevent hackers from getting in. What some may also find surprising is that it is the larger companies, those with 100 or more employees, who are more prone to cyber-attacks.

So, how can you as a business owner take steps and measures to amp up the security in your company? Here are some tips you can use.

Install security cameras

It has gotten to the point where no matter the size of your business, installing security cameras is just a wise move. Not only will this keep track of people coming and going in the building, but cameras can also be placed in areas with restricted access.

CCTV installation is common in private businesses, bars, restaurants, banks, and more. Just be sure if you’re going to use this route that you hire professional CCTV installers such as those at ACCL. This will ensure that the system is set up properly from the get-go. These systems can also be helpful to place at barriers, gates, and all exterior/interior doors. If you want to get the help of CCTV installers, you can read more about ACCL’s service.

Make sure passwords are secure

While you may think that hackers are only getting in through back doors, the fact is that if your passwords are simple to break then there is no need for the back door in the first place. What this means is that you need to make sure all passwords are secure and strong.

You can do a training session about how to pick secure passwords, and then make it a company-wide practice to change them on a regular basis. A regular basis should be at least once every six months. By changing them on a regular basis, this will help strengthen even the weaker passwords.

Limit the amount of data employees have access to

Rather than allow all employees to have access to all data in the company, it’s a good idea to limit what they have access to. Provide them with access to the data they need to do their job efficiently, obviously, but outside of that, there is no reason to provide them with more. This means you may have various levels of security clearance in your company.

Keep software updated

Another tip is to ensure that your software is always updated. Updates typically offer fixes to different issues, including security issues, so you want to be sure you’re installing these.

At the same time, you should have security software installed. There will be times it needs to be updated, and you may even need to install patches as well. If you don’t yet have security software, be sure that when you’re shopping for it you pick software that offers real-time monitoring and has a good reputation in the industry.

Back up data regularly

It doesn’t matter how large or small your business is; you can never just assume that things are secure, which means you need to back up your data regularly. It’s a good idea to have it scheduled so that you don’t have to remember to do it. Rather, it will just be an automatic backup on a weekly, or better yet, daily basis.

Have a crisis protocol in place

Try as you might to secure your data, there can still be issues. This is exactly why it’s imperative your company has an active breach crisis protocol in place that everyone is aware of. You can hold a training session on this protocol to ensure that every person knows what they need to do should this situation arise. A timely and effective reaction can help to limit the amount of data that is breached.

Make data security a top priority

Regardless of how many jobs and tasks you are juggling as the owner of a business, data security should always be a top priority. It’s all about taking the proper precautions and training your staff on the importance of data security.