Given how fundamental technology is in our everyday lives, data protection is a hot topic. These days, data is more readily available and at risk of falling into the wrong hands, warranting more caution than ever.
From educating yourself and your employers about cyber security to being selective about what your company shares on social media, it’s important to be aware of the details you share online, as well as in person of course.
If you’re a business owner especially, having a clear understanding and implementation of data protection is key. Certain businesses have come under fire for how they have handled customer data – and in serious instances, there can be legal repercussions. Here's what you need to consider.
Educating
Education is key. Educate yourself and your employees so that everyone is aware of data protection and why it is important in a personal and commercial sense.
Threats to business, employee and customer data include phishing and related cybercrime, where data is accessed illegally. It is also helpful to consult professionals such as data protection lawyers for advice so that you’re fully compliant as a business and won’t land yourself in any tricky legal territory.
Encrypting
Encryption is used to translate data into code or another form so that only selected people can access it. This is done using a decryption key. As a result, it means that certain data and information can be protected from unauthorised viewers, making it an efficient method of storing data securely.
Businesses should adopt encryption techniques to ensure that confidential data is stored properly without risk of being exposed.
VPNs
A VPN is another common tool used by businesses to keep their data secure. It is recommended that a VPN be paid for and used by employers and employees at all times to help prevent data leaks.
VPNs maintain online privacy by creating an encrypted tunnel between a device and the internet. This means the real IP address is hidden, and therefore the location is too, so no one can track you. Cybercriminals have a much harder time breaking through VPNs, so they are well worth the investment.
Multi-factor Authentication
Many businesses now use multi-factor authentication to add additional layers of security. This way, data belonging to both the employer and their clients can benefit from added protection.
The premise is simple – it confirms the user’s identity with extra verification, ranging from fingerprints to one-time pins. This way, an imposter wouldn’t be able to steal someone’s identity, as this additional information wouldn’t be accessible to them.
The reality is that all of these methods are essential for effective data protection. The more layers you add, the more secure your data will be, exposing your business to fewer risks of data breaches and the chaos that ensues when this happens.
