Data theft is nothing new for businesses. The situation has become grim in the last decade with 300 data breaches reported that resulted in the theft of 100,000 or more records, as per Forbes.
A data breach can happen to any company—small or big. It need not be financial, medical or your insurance data. Any sensitive document when stolen for unethical use can cost your business huge.
If you’ve just started a company and these figures scare you, we are about to share five methods that prevent data theft:
1. In-house training
Your team might be small, like a dozen employees or even less. Educate and train your employees about the data breach and how to prevent them. It would reduce the incidence of data thefts and make employees wary of how to store, use and manage consumer data.
Sensitising employees about the repercussions of a data breach can make them more careful in performing their job. Also, they are less likely to commit mistakes.
For instance, your business system’s hard drive should not be used for personal purposes. Ensure that all the employees adhere to the same practices.
2. Data Encryption
Another commonly used method to secure data across devices like computers, mobile phones, USB drives and even email. The premise is the content shared can be accessed only if the recipient has the encryption key. There are many online courses for cryptography that can help your in-house team store and manage information on computer systems.
3. Setting the rules for movement of sensitive data/information
Data sharing is a common phenomenon but is it safe? For instance, you are transferring client details in your personal pen drive that’s used by multiple users—outside the company. This puts your business data at risk of theft and illegal use by miscreants.
Create a comprehensive policy that defines how company data changes hands without compromising on the data safety principles and consumer trust. Likewise, the IT policy should be effectively communicated to all.
4. Keep sensitive data secured from free access
Not every piece of consumer data is needed by the entire business, right? Information like bank details or insurance codes should be protected more than other data. Also, bank details are crucial for committing fraud and exploiting the consumer further for illicit gains. In such a case, not only a consumer suffers but the public image of the business is tarnished too.
Thus, restricting highly confidential information from employees that are not necessary reduces the risk of malicious data theft practices.
5. Confidential document disposal
Keeping piles of user records that are no longer needed serve no purpose. They occupy extra space in your cupboards and eat the dust over months. You can eliminate all of this by secure document destruction services in Perth. All paper and cardboard documents are 100% confidentially destroyed by shredding and the contents recycled. It is an eco-friendly method that does not leave behind any toxic substance for the environment.
Share your paper shredding requirements with us at 0458 088 000 or email:frank@cdd1.com.au.
You can also reach out using an online form.