There is no doubt that businesses are aware of the need for data security and have measures in place to ensure their confidential information does not fall into the wrong hands. But with cyber attacks constantly increasing in frequency, it’s becoming increasingly difficult for organizations to remain anonymous as they band together to prevent a breach. In today's world, breaches can occur at any time, whether on a large scale or limited to small groups of individuals.
How can companies and individuals protect themselves against unlawful access to the information?
Know what you've got
Every business must assess its data and determine whether it is at risk of being compromised. Once this is completed, they can review their current security measures to determine if they are sufficient in preventing a breach. Numerous tools available can help in this assessment, such as a cybersecurity risk assessment from a team of experts.
Companies typically make the same mistakes in their data storage and security yearly, meaning that most of their security measures are already outdated. A baseline assessment is necessary to determine what might need improving, and it must be done in conjunction with conducting a practical risk assessment for the company.
Partnering with a professional cybersecurity company can help with this process. By outsourcing this responsibility to a third-party organization, you can focus on business development, marketing, and other initiatives that support your growth and profitability. This partnership will also give your business peace of mind and reduce liability in case of a breach.
Awareness is key
The next step is ensuring everyone who works for your company or does business with it knows the importance of data security. Make it a priority to communicate this information in all your communications, including posting it on the company website, in all employee work manuals, at social gatherings, and through training sessions.
It is also crucial to establish accountability within your company. Too often, breaches are committed by non-employees, or unsuccessful attempts are discovered due to a lack of internal communication. As leaders in the industry, it is your responsibility to ensure that all employees know their role in maintaining data security.
Additionally, it is essential to train employees on how to prevent breaches from occurring. It takes time for new employees to learn about data security measures, which can be very time-consuming for them when things go wrong. Through security awareness training, you can save your business time and money in the long run by stopping criminal activity before it occurs.
Keep up with security measures
Although it is vital to have strong data protection measures in place, it’s equally essential to constantly review these processes and ensure that they are updated as technology changes. The same goes for content monitoring, firewalls, and other technologies that support the network. Companies should be aware of new threats and immediately update their defenses against them.
It’s also essential to have a policy for protecting data when outsourcing your business activities. When you outsource a portion of your business to another country, the security measures of that country must meet or exceed your standards. If they don't, work with them to ensure that they do.
Ensure your team's commitment
Finally, it is imperative that employees are committed and dedicated to maintaining data security within their companies. They need to understand the importance of keeping their company’s confidential information secure and know what to do if a breach occurs. Leaders need to treat security and privacy as an ongoing process, not something that can be set and forgotten about.
Strengthen Your Cybersecurity in Saskatoon Today
Companies must constantly evaluate the threats that are present, and they must hire third-party security experts to ensure that their data is kept safe. It is essential to acknowledge that the risks of cyber-attacks are present, and data security presents a business with both challenges and opportunities.
If you're worried about your business falling victim to hackers, contact us today! We provide the Saskatoon managed IT services & cybersecurity you can count on to protect your organization around the clock.
