Top Tips To Keep Business Data Safe

Image credit: Campaign Creators from Unsplash

Worried about the safety of the company’s data? Whether it’s the company’s personal data or that of its clients, it can be nerve-racking to hold onto confidential information when a business is connected to the internet in any way.

The rise in hacks and stolen data is growing. It’s important, therefore, to keep business data safe by implementing the relevant changes necessary. Here are some top tips to keep business data safe.

Back It Up And Keep It Off-Site
With any data that’s being stored on the servers, it’s important to constantly back up files. If the files aren’t being backed up, then there’s a danger of losing files to hackers and not being able to get them back.

Backing up should happen constantly and the backup drives that are storing the data should be kept off-site. Why? Well, if the company building burns down tomorrow, the data also goes up in smoke. Having it off-site provides more security, as well as having copies on-site too.

Shred Anything Physical
Anything physical when it comes to important documents should be shredded. Most businesses do document shredding because it helps destroy any confidential evidence in the most secure way possible.

Make sure that every floor or department has its own shredder and dispose of the shredded materials in a secure manner. There are services on offer locally that will collect confidential waste to dispose of further.

Ensure A Tech Exit Procedure Is In Place For Staff Leaving
With any staff member that may be leaving the company, handing over tech information and any access to databases needs to be revoked properly.

That’s why it’s important that the tech and HR team have a process in place for any staff leaving, to give up their rights to any data or files that they may have on their desktop computer. Their profile and any work emails should also be deleted. 

Restrict Access To Certain Staff Members
When it comes to data, not everyone in the workforce needs equal accessibility to all the files that the company holds. There may be some that only need certain access to files saved. Some may require more, but this should all be considered carefully to minimize the risk of data being lost or exploited.

Restrict access to certain staff members as and when it’s appropriate. Make sure they can still access enough data to do their day-to-day work tasks.

Only Hold Onto What’s Needed
With data, there are plenty of policies and laws in place now that govern how businesses can take, store and use data. Many businesses have begun to hold a lot less information which reduces the risk of it being taken by a hacker. The less information that a business has on its clients or customers, the better. 

Obviously, this shouldn’t be at the expense of hindering the business's success but it can be helpful to protect the business further.

Keep the business data safe by introducing these tips where it’s necessary and possible to do so.