How to secure company and client data
These are turbulent time, so if you have successfully launched and run a small business anywhere across the US recently, you are clearly well-versed in business and are to be commended.
However, just as true a statement for those companies operating solely online as for retail businesses with a physical store and online shop is that cybercrime is a serious concern and should be addressed in a preventative manner.
With this in mind, here is how to secure both your company and your clients’ data.
Use a VPN
A VPN (Virtual Private Network), is incredibly easy to install, yet impressively effective against viruses and other online threats to your business.
VPNs are simple to maintain, work seamlessly alongside legacy systems, encourage efficient and private sharing of data via the intranet, and offer secure and consistent connectivity for hybrid and remotely working employees.
Should you be unable, for whatever reason, to work from a VPN, then at the very least, ensure your Wi-Fi connection is as secure as possible and that there is no chance of opportunistic hackers accessing your data.
Strengthen your passwords
Even though it can be intensely frustrating when you are asked to enter and then re-enter your password in order to access your own company’s files, multi-factor authentication is another simple, yet powerful, method of keeping cyber criminals at bay.
The US government advises business owners and personal internet users to use three random words as the basis for each password and to change the password regularly.
In the same way that it is strongly recommended to never keep the pin number for your credit or debit card written down on your phone or in your purse, there is no reason why your company passwords should be anywhere besides in the memories of you and your co-workers.
Upgrade the firewall
Whether browsing the internet at home with the family, or in a business context in the workplace, a strong and reputable firewall is absolutely essential.
Since the inception of the modern internet and cyber security has become a factor, firewalls have been and remain the standard first defense line to protect data and information stored online and on computer networks.
Next-Generation Firewalls, otherwise known as NGRW, have specific NGFW features that add several additional levels of security, which is why upgrading your current firewall package to the superior NGRW is strongly advisable.
Database security
Finally, educating both yourself and your team members on database security practices is another great way of keeping sensitive data and private information secure.
Database security 101 would begin with ensuring your data is stored on a separate server to your website, which would make it significantly more complicated for a cyber-criminal to initiate a data breach.
Other good practices in terms of securing your company’s online database include the creation of a proxy HTTPS server, real-time database monitoring, the deployment of strong data encryption protocols and ensuring each and every application is updated at all times.
