For many small and medium business (SMB) owners, data loss is often associated with natural disasters, hardware failures, or cyberattacks. While these risks are valid, there’s another, often overlooked cause of data loss: human error. The good news is you can take steps to reduce the likelihood of human mistakes leading to data loss.
In this article, we’ll explore common causes of data loss due to human mistakes and share tips on how to minimize these risks.
| Related reading: 6 Business data loss stories |
Common human errors that cause data loss
Understanding the key causes of human-related data loss is essential to reducing its likelihood.
Accidental file deletion
Employees may accidentally delete files or folders they think are unnecessary, only to realize later that they were critical. If no immediate action is taken to recover them, the data can be permanently lost.
Phishing and other social engineering scams
Cybercriminals often use phishing emails to trick victims into clicking malicious links or opening dangerous attachments, leading to the disclosure of login credentials or other sensitive information. Successful phishing scams can deploy malware, which may corrupt data or initiate ransomware attacks, locking your files until a ransom is paid.
Mishandled data migrations
Transferring data between systems comes with risks, such as accidental overwriting, loss, or corruption of files. These errors are especially common during large-scale migrations or updates.
Misconfigured software or systems
Installing new software, updating existing systems, or integrating third-party tools can introduce vulnerabilities. Internal mistakes, such as neglecting to verify security settings, can result in lost or compromised data.
Device damage or loss
Physical damage to hardware, such as laptops or external drives, can lead to data loss. Similarly, misplaced devices without secure backups make it impossible to recover vital data.
How to prevent data loss due to human error
While no SMB can avoid human error entirely, implementing proactive strategies can dramatically reduce its impact.
Invest in employee training
Employee education is one of the most powerful defenses against cyberthreats. Train your team to recognize cyberthreats such as phishing scams so they can confidently report suspicious activities and prevent potential breaches.
Training should also cover best practices for secure file and data management. This includes using encrypted storage to safeguard sensitive information, implementing strong passwords and multifactor authentication to prevent unauthorized access, and properly disposing of confidential materials, whether by shredding physical documents or securely deleting digital files.
Incorporate cybersecurity training into your onboarding process and reinforce it through regular sessions to ensure your team stays informed and prepared.
Install reliable cybersecurity software
Even with the best training, some employees might still fall victim to phishing or other cyberattacks. Antivirus software and monitoring tools can detect unusual activities, such as unauthorized file access or abnormal system configurations. Early detection allows for swift action, reducing the likelihood of data loss.
Enforce strong access controls
Adopt the principle of least privilege, allowing employees access only to the data and resources they need for their roles. Doing so minimizes the risk of accidental deletion or unauthorized access to sensitive files.
Plan for seamless data migrations
Large-scale data migrations should be approached cautiously to minimize the risk of human error. Develop detailed, step-by-step plans, and test changes in a secure environment before deployment.
Back up data regularly
There are many different ways for data loss to occur, but a reliable backup and disaster recovery system allows you to restore files swiftly.
Consider hybrid backups, which store data both locally and in the cloud, so that data recovery is possible even in cases of physical damage to on-site hardware. Moreover, schedule frequent backups to minimize the gap between data updates and preventable losses.
Are you ready to improve your company’s defenses against human error? SpectrumWise has the solutions you need to secure your SMB’s data. Get in touch with us today to discover how our data protection and IT services can make data loss a thing of the past.
