Data, whether it concerns your clients, your employees or your company, is one of your company’s most valuable assets and ensuring that data is secure is of paramount importance. In our latest article on data security, we take a look at five ways in which your company can improve data security throughout the business.
1.Perform a Security Gap Analysis
In order to effectively improve your data security, you need to know where your biggest weaknesses lie and a security gap analysis can help you to determine this. This analysis won’t simply focus on cyber security but your physical data security too, encouraging you to ask yourself questions such as: ‘Who can view our screens?’, ‘Are new staff sufficiently vetted?’, ‘Are all staff aware of (and do they have access to) our security policy?’ In this way you can identify and address any potential security flaws in the management of your data.
2.Control Access
One of the main data security issues in 2017 is that too many employees have access to too much data. Limiting data access to only those who need it increases accountability should something go wrong, and means those with access are more likely to take their responsibility more seriously. Limiting data access also facilitates easier monitoring in terms of what the data is being used for, to ensure it is being used correctly and responsibly.
3.Employ Two- Factor Authentication
Two-factor authentication is one of the most simple ways to improve data security yet it is commonly overlooked. The process requires staff to take another step to prove their eligibility to access information, rather than simply entering a username and password. This might involve sending a verification code to the mobile number connected to an account or an obscure security question – ensuring that the individual trying to access the information is exactly who they claim to be.
4.Eliminate Shared Accounts
Sharing accounts means sharing passwords and reducing accountability for the security of a particular account or file. Creating individual accounts, with unique (secure) passwords for each user will allow you monitor exactly who is accessing the information, when and where from and can help you to spot any unusual activity more effectively. Most business systems have the option for multi-user access, where each user has their own username and password, so there is no reason not to make use of it.
5. Regularly Train All Staff
Many companies falsely believe that only staff within the IT department need training on cyber security, but this is not true. Training all staff within your company will help to tighten security, especially as those with limited IT knowledge may be the ones most likely to put your data at risk. For example, some staff may share sensitive information over the phone or follow links from a suspicious email address or access company information and accounts from their personal devices. This training should be kept up to date, taking new threats and compliance laws into consideration.
With over 25 years industry experience, tier1 are proud to be the UK’s most accredited ITAD supplier. We possess the skills, accreditations and experience to handle our clients’ data with the care they deserve, and to dispose of it responsibility and legally.
Contact us today on 0161 777 1000 or visit https://www.tier1.com to find out how we can help you dispose of your data safely and reliably.
