A fire destroys your business. Burglars break into the warehouse and hijack your valuable inventory. You’ve probably taken steps to guard against these kinds of threats. However, the misappropriation or destruction of financial records, client files or other sensitive and confidential information can have a significant impact on your ability to continue to serve your customers. It may also harm your reputation and result in loss of future business.
Here are some simple actions you can take to better protect critical electronic data.
Don’t Ignore Software Updates
It never fails – you’re under a deadline and that pesky little “Updates Are Ready” bubble pops up on your computer screen. While it’s tempting to click the “Remind Me Later” button, this can expose your data to damage or loss. Many updates counter security threats discovered by the software vendor. Be especially careful to promptly install updates to your anti-virus software. It’s like checking the oil level in your car. By taking a couple of minutes now, you may be preventing a serious problem later on.
Back Up Your Data
No system is completely safe from hackers or power failures. Consider what you’d do if you couldn’t retrieve critical files promptly after a system failure or other event. Could your business survive? Remarkably, many businesses store all their data on desktop PCs or a single server – that’s a recipe for disaster. Whether you use your own on-site backup system, an offsite vendor or a cloud solution such as Dropbox, having a backup system in place will ensure that a system crash won’t cause the loss of essential files.
Internet Security
Don’t skimp when choosing an Internet Service Provider (ISP). Good ISPs have robust systems for protecting data sent via the Internet. While everyone is trying to save on expenses these days, a low cost ISP may have outdated or weak security features. You need a provider with a demonstrated commitment to protecting its subscribers’ data. Any additional cost is likely to be very small in comparison to the cost of a data breach.
You’re committed to providing the best service to your customers. In today’s electronic environment, with millions of pieces of data flying through cyberspace every day, your dedication to quality and integrity must extend to the security of sensitive data.
What additional actions has your business taken to protect against loss of or damage to important data?
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