In a world where personal information is a valuable commodity, protecting the security of that data is a primary concern for both individuals as well as businesses of all sizes. One breach could expose customers to identity theft, financial damage or even lawsuits. There are many ways to safeguard your personal information from hacking and to prevent it from being stolen.
TAKE STOCK
Make a list of the amount of sensitive data your company stores in files and on computers and devise a strategy to protect it only for until it is absolutely necessary. This could involve taking inventory of devices that record personal information, like PIN pads and security cameras as well as identifying computer connections to external sources like the internet or computers employed by service providers to help support your network, or digital copiers.
SCALE DOWN
Limit access to sensitive information to only those who require it. This reduces the potential of the threat of an insider attack or loss from hackers. Pro tip: Apply the principle of least privilege. This means that you grant new accounts access to the lowest level to sensitive data. They can increase the privilege only when they gain seniority or work-related necessity.
LOCK IT
Be sure that your passwords are secure, complex and unique. Passwords that are easy to guess can be compromised in a matter of seconds and used to gain unauthorized access. Don’t send passwords via email in plain text. Also, encrypt all files that contain confidential or private information.