Beyond personal aspirations this 2024, it may be worth adding another resolution to your list: improving your business’s data security. With cybercrimes at an all-time high, keeping information safe and secure should be a priority among businesses and individuals alike. According to the 2022 Arcserve survey, 76% of respondents experienced severe data loss in their organization, with 45% of them losing data permanently. This highlights the importance of data protection measures.
Below are key strategies to help prevent data loss and strengthen your security measures for the new year.
Investing in data loss prevention software
Data loss prevention (DLP) software monitors, detects, and mitigates risks that can lead to data loss, whether due to accidental mishaps or malicious attacks. With this tool, users can track and analyze data movement across on-site networks and cloud environments. DLP solutions also often incorporate machine learning and behavioral analytics, which can quickly detect abnormal patterns that may signal potential threats.
Moreover, DLP software can prevent data leakage through various channels such as email or cloud services. Through content inspection and analysis, it can identify and block sensitive data from being transmitted to unauthorized recipients. This not only protects your information but also helps maintain the trust of clients and stakeholders.
Developing strong security policies
Having comprehensive security policies can help ensure the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of sensitive information. These policies often start with stringent password management practices, including using strong, unique passwords and enabling multifactor authentication to reduce the risk of account takeovers. Access controls also play a key role, ensuring individuals have access only to the information necessary for their job. It’s best to also use encryption tools to protect data transmissions, even in the event of a breach.
Make sure to review and update your security policies regularly to keep pace with evolving threats and technologies.
| Related reading: 6 Business data loss stories |
Physical maintenance of hardware
While digital security measures are important, don’t forget the hardware itself. For starters, proper storage could help ensure the longevity and reliability of your storage devices, helping prevent data loss. Avoid exposure to extreme temperatures or dust, as these often damage the overall performance and life span of hard drives and other storage media. Regularly cleaning vents and fans on computers could also prevent overheating, which is a common cause of hardware failure.
For extra peace of mind, consider investing in an uninterrupted power supply. It gives you time to shut down safely during outages, preventing data loss from sudden shutdowns.
In shared spaces where the risk of unauthorized access is higher, physical security matters. Invest in cable locks, locked server cabinets, or even dedicated server rooms to keep devices safe from malicious actors.
Effective backup and recovery procedures
Regular backups ensure you can recover from disasters, such as hardware failures or cyberattacks. Cloud backup solutions store copies of your files remotely, reducing the risk of data loss in the event of physical damage or an on-site breach. You can also store backups on an external hard drive or network-attached storage for fast restores and offline access. Take note, however, that local backups can be lost in fires, floods, or theft, so it’s best to combine them with a cloud solution for extra protection.
Regularly test these recovery procedures to ensure your backup system is functioning correctly. This could help identify and address any issues, such as incomplete or corrupted backups before a real disruption occurs. Testing also familiarizes users with the recovery process, reducing downtime in the event of an actual data loss incident.
Installing proper security software
Having the right antivirus software safeguards your valuable data and devices by swiftly detecting and eliminating viruses, ransomware, and other malicious software before they wreak havoc. There are also advanced security tools that can monitor the health and performance of your hard drive, pinpointing potential failures or data corruption before they occur.
When choosing security software, opt for reputable and proven solutions that offer comprehensive protection against a wide range of cyberthreats. You should also regularly update your security software to ensure it’s armed with the latest threat signatures and security patches, keeping you shielded from even the most sophisticated attacks.
Don’t wait for a breach to occur before you start securing your data. Our experts at SpectrumWise are ready to help — get in touch today to discover the best solutions for protecting, backing up, and recovering your digital information.
