Cyberattacks, technical failures, or simple human error can creep up out of nowhere. And when they occur, businesses are often left scrambling to recover lost data. Fortunately, there are some simple adjustments businesses can make to safeguard their data and protect their operations.
Restrict access privileges to those who need it
Access control defines who can view, change, or share information inside your systems. When permissions align with job responsibilities, sensitive data stays confined to the people who actually need it. Considering that most data breaches stem from users gaining access to information they shouldn’t be privy to, implementing strict access control policies is one of the most crucial steps a business can take to protect their data.
To implement access controls, start by mapping roles to data requirements. A marketing employee may need campaign analytics but has no business touching payroll files or financial records. Group users by function and assign permissions at that level rather than individually. Identity platforms such as Active Directory enable you to monitor and determine access permissions for each role from a centralized console.
As roles change, you should also update permissions accordingly. This applies to both employee promotions and terminations.
Encrypt your data from end to end
Encryption serves as a digital lock on your data, scrambling information so it appears meaningless to anyone without proper authorization. Even if a device is stolen or a transmission is intercepted, encrypted data cannot be read or used without the correct credentials.
A strong encryption approach protects information both while it is stored and while it is moving. Data at rest should be secured with full-disk encryption on laptops, desktops, and servers, so files are protected if hardware is lost, stolen, or accessed improperly. Built-in tools such as BitLocker on Windows and FileVault on macOS handle this automatically once enabled.
Information in transit requires a different layer of protection. Secure communication standards like SSL/TLS encrypt data as it travels across the internet, preventing third parties from viewing or altering it mid-transfer.
Finally, remember that encryption is useless without the proper key. It’s therefore vital to keep your keys secure in hardware security modules or cloud-based services and update them regularly to prevent unauthorized access and limit internal risk.
Update your software as soon as possible
Over time, cybercriminals find new vulnerabilities in software and operating systems that can be exploited to gain access to sensitive data. It’s important to always install the latest updates as soon as they become available because they often include patches for security vulnerabilities.
If the idea of manually updating each piece of software sounds tedious, there are tools that can make the process much simpler. Patch management systems, in particular, take stock of all the software in your network, the version numbers, and what updates are available for each. With this information in hand, they can automate the process of downloading and installing updates across all company devices to maintain consistent security across the board.
Enable data loss prevention (DLP) settings
DLP tools monitor how information moves across your environment. Their job is to detect and block risky behavior before sensitive files leave your control. Once deployed, DLP policies can scan emails, cloud storage, and removable media for restricted data types. For example, DLP policies can be set up to prevent financial reports from being sent outside the company or block uploads to unapproved cloud platforms. Using these features correctly can significantly reduce the risk of data leaks.
Secure your physical devices
If someone gains physical access to your devices, they can steal data or install malware, compromising your business. The best way to avoid such scenarios is to secure your hardware. That means locking servers in restricted rooms, keeping an eye on laptops and mobile devices, and implementing biometric authentication for access to company devices. Businesses should also register all company devices into a mobile device management system, which allows for remote wiping of devices in case they are lost or stolen.
Always back up your data
Sometimes, despite your best efforts, cyberattacks and freak outages still occur. But even if they disrupt your operations, backups can still protect your business when systems fail or files are corrupted. Regular, automated backups stored both on site and off site (i.e., the cloud) give you a reliable way to restore operations quickly. More importantly, you should test those backups regularly to confirm that files can be recovered during a crisis.
Preventing data loss requires many technical security measures, but we can help. Contact us today to get effective tools, expertise, and strategies to keep your business data safe and sound.