10 Tactics Your Business Should Implement to Prevent Data Breaches
It is becoming commonplace for businesses to experience data breaches. In fact, 43% of cyber attacks target small businesses. These statistics are alarming, especially when you consider the average cost of a data breach is $3.86 million.
There are ten steps your business can take to prevent data breaches, including:
1. Limit access to your most valuable data.
In the event that a data breach does occur, limit the damage by ensuring that only the most essential data is accessible to employees. The less data that is floating around, the less there is to lose in the event of a breach.
2. Implement two-factor authentication.
Two-factor authentication is an extra layer of security that requires employees to not only know a password, but also have access to a second device, such as a phone, in order to log in. This makes it much more difficult for hackers to gain access to your systems.
3. Implement strong security protocols.
Make sure that your business has robust security protocols in place, such as two-factor authentication and firewalls. These measures will make it much more difficult for hackers to gain access to your systems.
4. Educate your employees.
Make sure that your employees are aware of the importance of data security and what they can do to help protect it. Provide them with regular training on best practices and make sure they know how to spot a potential security threat.
5. Invest in a reliable backup solution.
In the event that data is lost or corrupted, having a reliable backup solution in place will help ensure that you can quickly and easily recover your data.
6. Monitor your systems for suspicious activity.
Regularly monitor your systems for any suspicious activity, such as unusual login attempts or unexpected changes to files. This can help you spot a potential data breach before it does serious damage.
7. Invest in cyber liability insurance.
Despite taking all of the above precautions, there is always a risk that your business could still experience a data breach. Investing in cyber liability insurance can help mitigate the financial damages in the event that you do suffer a breach.
8. Keep your software up to date.
One of the most common ways that hackers gain access to systems is by exploiting security vulnerabilities in outdated software. Make sure that all of the software your business uses is always kept up to date.
9. Conduct regular security audits.
Regularly auditing your security measures can help you identify any potential weaknesses in your system and take steps to correct them.
10. Work with a trusted IT partner.
If you need help implementing any of the above measures or simply want peace of mind that your data is secure, working with a trusted information technology (IT) partner can give you the assurance you need.
By taking the above precautions, you can help reduce the risk of a data breach and be prepared in the event that one does occur.
