For the last 25 years, we’ve been focused on keeping our clients’ sensitive business data safe, whether they’re big companies or small businesses.. We implicitly understand the importance of data protection in today’s digital landscape, where cyber threats loom incessantly.
We’ve seen it several times: Regardless of whether you’re a fledgling startup or a seasoned medium-sized enterprise, the repercussions of a data breach can be nothing short of catastrophic.
Our Top Ten Strategies: Do These ASAP
Here are the priority strategies we promote, with recommendations on how to achieve them.
Download the full list below!
Understanding the Stakes
Data breaches are not just hypothetical scenarios; they’re real threats that can wreak havoc on your business. From financial loss and legal ramifications to irreparable damage to your reputation, the aftermath of a breach can be devastating. No amount of insurance will bring your data back from a bad cyber-attack, causing many victims to fail.
1. Implement Robust Access Controls
Controlling who can access sensitive data within your organisation is the first line of defence against unauthorised breaches. By implementing role-based access controls (RBAC) and enforcing the principle of least privilege, you limit the exposure of critical information to only those who need it to perform their duties.
Our Recommendations
Make a list of all your business systems and conduct regular access reviews to ensure permissions align with employees’ roles.
Utilise multi-factor authentication (MFA) to add an extra layer of security.
Educate employees on the importance of strong password hygiene to mitigate credential-based attacks.
2. Encrypt Sensitive Data
Encryption acts as a fail-safe mechanism, rendering your data indecipherable to unauthorised parties even if they manage to gain access to it. Whether data is at rest or in transit, employing robust encryption protocols ensures its confidentiality and integrity.
Our Recommendations
Utilise industry-standard encryption algorithms to protect data both locally and in the cloud.
Implement encryption for email communications.
Check your customer-facing systems, data storage, backup, site links, third-party systems etc. for strong encryption and regular updates.
3. Backup Regularly and Securely
Data backups serve as a lifeline in the event of a data loss incident, allowing you to restore operations swiftly and minimise downtime. However, simply having backups is not enough; it’s just as crucial to ensure their integrity and security.
Our Recommendations
Implement automated backup solutions to ensure regular and consistent backups.
Store backups in secure, off-site locations to mitigate the risk of on-premises disasters, cyber attack and insider threats.
Encrypt backup data to prevent unauthorised access, both during transmission and storage.
Document and rehearse the data recovery.
4. Educate and Train Employees
Your employees are your first line of defence against cyber threats, but they can also be unwitting conduits for malicious actors if not properly trained. Investing in comprehensive cybersecurity awareness training empowers your workforce to identify and mitigate potential risks effectively.
Our Recommendations
Offer regular training sessions covering topics such as phishing awareness, password security, and social engineering tactics.
Provide real-world examples and simulations to test awareness and identify further training needs.
Foster a culture of security consciousness by encouraging employees to report suspicious activities promptly.
