How to Prevent Data Breaches

As more companies move into a digital, cloud-based world, it’s become more common to hear of security breaches. The best way to protect against the cost and negative consequences that come with data breaches is to take precautionary measures to prevent them. 

There are many high-level security measures you can take to prevent a data breach from AI to incident response preparedness teams. 

What is a Data Breach?

Data breaches occur when a third party accesses data without the consent of the data’s owner, which could be a business, its customers, or both. There are a few different ways that cybercriminals and outside people can breach data, whether intentionally or accidentally:

• Web or internet exposure
• Unauthorized access
• Data on the move
• Employee error, negligence, improper disposal, or loss
• Hacking or intrusion
• Insider theft
• Physical theft

6 Practices to Prevent Data Breaches

1. Educate employees

It is important to educate your employee on how to protect data from being compromised. You can help them understand the importance of strong passwords, how often they should change their passwords, and by helping them spot, avoid, and report phishing scams and other suspicious activity.

2. Create and update procedures

To help guide employees, you can create procedures related to data security standards and make sure they are updated. This will help set expectations for your company as it relates to data. This also demonstrates to employees that you take data security seriously and reminds them they should, too.

3. Backup and recovery of data

In some cases, cybercriminals can maliciously delete all of your data. It’s important to regularly back up your data so that it can easily be recovered in case of data loss, server crash, or even a natural disaster. You can have your IT team set up automated remote backup systems to protect your company from losing important data.

4. Maintain up-to-date security software

Professionals recommend purchasing security software and automating it to run on a continuous basis. Firewalls, endpoint protection including anti-virus, anti-malware, and anti-spyware software are important to defending your business against data breaches. When searching for a provider, make sure you choose one with a security team or provider to help set your business up correctly.

5. Encrypt data

If you send or share confidential files or data, make sure that they are encrypted before they are sent. If you use a Wi-Fi network, ensure you have a dedicated network for your team that is not accessible by the public. If there are data security laws you’re required to comply with, you may require employees to not use Wi-Fi at all as it can allow cyber criminals to intercept data.

6. Develop a incident response plan

Surprisingly, few companies have a sound incident response plan in place. Developing a comprehensive incident preparedness plan enables both the employees and the employer to understand the potential damages that could occur. A good response plan can limit lost productivity, limit damages, and restore public and employee trust.

Secure Your Data from Breaches with PacGenesis

For over 10 years, we have been helping hundreds of companies from various industries protect their content, platforms, apps, and data from cybercriminals. We partner with the best providers of cybersecurity solutions and software to enable your business with the protection it needs. By pairing you with the right solution to help meet your needs, we’ll help you secure your confidential and sensitive information, preventing any damaging data breaches. Contact us today to learn more about protecting your company.
To learn more about PacGenesis, follow @PacGenesis on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn, or go to www.pacgenesis.com.

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