There’s a reason cyber security market initiatives are projected to reach $80 billion in 2017. Terminal breaches at checkout lanes to data breaches on personal sites archiving personal information, increasing the number of eCommerce and retailers nationwide has led to an even higher probability of claiming small to medium sized businesses bottom line.
1. Shred Unnecessary Data
Collecting data should be very simple, if you don’t need it, don’t ask. The term “Big Data” isn’t meant to be construed as packing huge amounts of data in landing page form. It means capturing information with velocity, variety, and volume. These are the 3 V’s to live by when talking Big Data for your company. If you still have old files of SQL’s or paper mountains lying around, shred them all. Securely deleting files is pretty simple with File Shredder. Understanding what data your business needs will help you conduct a simple inventory on your customers. Sometimes, gathering data will put you against legal obligations.
2. Post a Privacy Policy
If you’re starting a new app, or already running your commercial website you probably know it’s against the law to not have a visible policy where data is being transmitted. Cutting and pasting won’t be enough to legally bind you and that customer to trust you enough with their key to the front door. The best policy is one that accurately describes the transaction and obligations your company vows to uphold while conducting business, and infinity and beyond.
3. Encryption is key
Encryption is the language that makes data unreadable to unauthorized guests breaching protocol. PCWorld has an amazing how-to article. Any device is penetrable, and mobile devices for work are just as likely to be compromised as any of your desktops in the office. Give employees endpoint access to only a limited number of devices controlling the flow of data between your company’s core files and users in your network.
4. Develop a Security Response Plan
Any disaster situation calls for an outline fit to your specific business needs. Hopefully, the aforementioned tips will keep you astray from handing over data during a crisis, but it’s always helpful for a plan that will counteract a rude awakening. Remember even the tightest security points experience a compromise, remember Target and the Home Depot?
5. Data Paradox
Negative consequences of practicing insufficient data protection and privacy can be substantial. How you handle a customer’s vital information and the means of collecting is a paradox of responsibility and failing to maintain and uphold the privileged information can cripple your institution.
