How can you keep data secure?

How can you keep data secure? | System Force I.T. | Gloucester and Gloucestershire

How can you keep data secure? | System Force I.T. | Gloucester and Gloucestershire

Cyber attacks are on the rise, with over 40% of businesses experiencing a breach in the UK in 2021, and reported that 83% of the breaches happen from e-mail phishing attempts – businesses must guarantee that their data and any consumer data is protected and secure.

Businesses are targeted for their data, regardless of their corporation size, so it’s critical to secure all data stored by your business.

What is the role of data security?

Data Security Tips | System Force I.T. | Gloucester and Gloucestershire

Data Security Tips | System Force I.T. | Gloucester and Gloucestershire

Businesses must follow important rules while handling data in order to prevent data breaches, minimise the danger of data exposure, and maintain data security.

The fundamental goal of data security in any organisation is to guarantee the continued safe and secure usage of personal data while reducing exposure risk.

Why is data security important?

Data security must be prioritised by any company that manages customer or corporate data.

This includes files, databases, accounts and networks.

Effective data security considers the sensitivity of various information as well as the appropriate regulatory compliance requirements.

Businesses have a legal obligation to secure and protect customer data from misuse or being leaked.

Having an SSL certification for your website reassures clients visiting your website that there is a secure encrypted connection, allowing them to enter sensitive data securely.

Why hackers are targeting business data?

 

Phishing Statistics | Cyber Attack | System Force I.T. | Gloucester and Gloucestershire

Phishing Statistics | Cyber Attack | System Force I.T. | Gloucester and Gloucestershire

Hackers will seek to steal business data regardless of the size of the company.

Data is one of the most expensive elements to safeguard for a business since it must protect both its own data and client data. Customers rely and trust companies protect their data.

Hackers have found various methods of stealing data and forcing the hand all kinds of businesses that don’t want company damage, or sensitive data leaked.

 

 

 

 

Hackers will attempt to steal your consumer and business data for these reasons:

Hackers can sell your data for profit

A method that hackers profit most from is selling your data to other criminals or buyers on the dark web. The data may include millions of stolen personal details, including addresses, credit card numbers, and login credentials.  The purchaser then leverages the stolen information for their own illegal activities or may choose to resell it to make more money.

Cyber Crime Statistics | Cyber Attack | System Force I.T. | Gloucester and Gloucestershire

Cyber Crime Statistics | Cyber Attack | System Force I.T. | Gloucester and Gloucestershire

Identity Theft

 

Identity theft is a crime in which the victim’s personal information is used to exploit benefits at the expense of the victim.

Customers are required to input personal information such as their name, address, and credit card number while using many online services, which is enough to put them at risk of fraud.

Leverage for Ransom

Data can be exploited by hackers, who may also threaten to disclose it if they aren’t paid the demanded ransom.

Millions could be demanded as ransom, and there is no assurance that the hacker won’t keep the information and leak it anyway.

The cyber criminal could use it as leverage later on to demand another ransom payment for the same data.

Login details for account takeover

Cyber criminals can access bank accounts and other payment methods, such as shopping accounts, with the aid of stolen login credentials.

Identity theft and fraud can result from account takeover, especially if the hacker modifies your password and prevents you from accessing your own account.

Phishing attacks and exploitation

Cyber Security Threats | System Force I.T. | Gloucester and Gloucestershire

Cyber Security Threats | System Force I.T. | Gloucester and Gloucestershire

Hackers can use stolen information to target other people with phishing and other frauds.

In order to trick their target into granting access to something else, they pose as someone else and act legitimately.

Criminals may use the victim further if they have access to private information.

 

 

 

Reputation Damage

Aside from the personal issues that stolen data can cause for individuals, the business stands to lose a lot in terms of brand harm.

Customers will not shop/work with a company again if there is a leak because they cannot be trusted to handle data properly and safely.

This is related to both company reputation and stock market pricing.

 

Here are some solutions that you can take today to tighten up your data security...

Types of Data Security

Use of strong passwords / 2FA methods / MFA methods / Change passwords frequently

Two Factor Authentication Token Security | System Force I.T. | Gloucester and Gloucestershire

Two Factor Authentication Token Security | System Force I.T. | Gloucester and Gloucestershire

The first step to being cyber-secure and maintaining data security is the use of strong passwords and other security procedures like two factor authentication and multi factor authentication.

Ensuring you have different password policies and several layers of protection safeguards data from hackers and any other risks that try to gain access.

Data Security Regulations

Businesses ought to be in compliance with regulations like the GDPR and ISO standards already. These data security regulations help businesses in determining the best way to secure their data while complying to the standards for best practices.

GDPR covers a range of personal data protection, but also helps ensure that data is secure.

Other standards, such as ISO policies, guarantee that organisations keep data accurate, accessible, and limited to authorised employees, reducing the danger of data breaches.

Vulnerability Testing

A business can benefit greatly from having a variety of cyber security measures in place, but it is important to ensure that these measures are accurate, ensuring that hackers won’t be able to find any vulnerabilities in your network.

Companies must ensure that there are no loopholes for hackers to access, which is where vulnerability testing helps businesses.

Vulnerability testing shows the flaws in a businesses network, and ways that they can improve their systems by securing it further. It’s ethical hacking that can really help organisations understand what needs more security.

Firewall and other security hardware

There should be multiple layers of protection within a company’s IT infrastructure, reinforcing any outside cyber threats attempting to enter.

A key component to a secure I.T. infrastructure is a firewall.

A network security system known as a firewall keeps track of and manages all incoming and outgoing traffic in accordance with security guidelines established by the business.

Ultimately, a firewall establishes whether the traffic is legitimate and trusted, or dangerous and untrusted.

Cloud Systems | Cloud Computing | System Force I.T. | Gloucester and Gloucestershire

Cloud Systems | Cloud Computing | System Force I.T. | Gloucester and Gloucestershire

Backing up your data

 

One of the most important measures in ensuring data security is performing data backups.

The GDPR legislation mandates that companies make sure sensitive employee data and other crucial company papers are backed up.

Businesses must backup all types of data, including sensitive and work-related data, to maintain the highest level of cyber security.

Businesses can pick from a variety of backup solutions, including hybrid and cloud backup.

Have staff cyber security training

In order to keep data secure, it is essential that all employees are on the same page, understand the risks involved with malware and cyberattacks, and know how to take precautions or be more observant.

Employees will start to be more vigilant of websites and phishing emails as well as taking precautions to stay safe online once they are aware of the dangers of not keeping data private.

Click here to read more about the importance of staff cyber security training.

Be wary of suspicious e-mails

 

One of the most popular methods for hackers to access your computer and data is through phishing emails.

Understanding what appears suspicious and risky is crucial since it may protect the company from a potential threat.

Human Error Cyber Security | System Force I.T. | Gloucester and Gloucestershire

Human Error Cyber Security | System Force I.T. | Gloucester and Gloucestershire

Have strong cyber security software

 

There are many different kinds of cyber security, so whether you use hardware or software, we advise you to have several levels and to invest in a safe IT infrastructure.

Software like anti-virus and anti-malware applications can check your computer and the network for dangers, find them, and then delete them.

Don’t leave paperwork or laptops unattended

 

This would be done in conjunction with Cyber Awareness Training and making sure that staff members are aware of the dangers of leaving documents unattended or laptops unsecured.

According to the IBM Cyber Security Intelligence Index Report (2022), 95% of cyber security breaches are caused by human error.

Dispose of old IT equipment and records securely

 

GDPR Compliant Hard Drive Shredder | System Force I.T. | Gloucester and Gloucestershire

GDPR Compliant Hard Drive Shredder | System Force I.T. | Gloucester and Gloucestershire

It’s crucial to properly and intelligently dispose of any data in order to comply with GDPR. When hard drive discs are no longer needed, we advise shredding the hard drive and receiving a certificate of destruction, so that you know it has been securely shredded.

Click here to read more about GDPR compliant shredding, and disposing of old IT equipment securely.

Encryption

 

The majority of businesses utilize numerous encryption techniques to protect sensitive customer or employee data from unauthorised access.

Businesses should use encryption because it adds another security layer on systems and restricts hackers from accessing files.

VPN

VPNs are used to protect against insecure public internet connections as well as to disguise personal information, online activity, and IP addresses.

When conducting sensitive business or using their smartphone for browsing, businesses use it to remain undetectable to hackers.

How can System Force I.T. help with your cyber security?

System Force I.T. can help your business with various types of important cyber security solutions.

We assist in the management of computer security, data protection, e-mail security and web filtering, IP security, and, most importantly, cyber security.

Our staff also supports your business towards becoming Cyber Essentials Certified, offering you far more opportunities with Government organisations and demonstrates that you take security seriously.

Click here to read How Cyber Essentials can help win new business & awards…

 

Click here to get in contact with us today to find out how we can help!

 

System Force IT provides 24/7 IT support and engineering help with all our services. Our IT infrastructure management team are responsible for the backbone of your business. Monitoring and maintaining both physical and virtual services in real-time.

System Force IT provides 24/7 IT support and engineering help with all our services. Our IT infrastructure management team are responsible for the backbone of your business. Monitoring and maintaining both physical and virtual services in real-time.