In a world in which personal information is a valuable commodity, safeguarding that data is a top concern for data management techniques both individuals and businesses of all sizes. A single breach can expose customers to identity theft, financial damage, or even lawsuits. There are many ways to safeguard personal information from hacking and to prevent it from being stolen.
TAKE STOCK
Make a plan for storing sensitive information within your company’s computer and files only until it’s essential. This may include taking inventory of devices that store personal information, including PIN pads and security cameras as well as identifying computer connections to external sources such as the internet or the computers used by service providers to support your network or digital copiers.
SCALE DOWN
Limit access to sensitive information only to those who need it. This helps reduce the possibility of an insider threat or loss from hackers. Pro tip: Apply the principle of least privilege. Give new accounts the lowest level of access to sensitive data. Then increase this privilege as the account gains seniority or the job requirement grows.
Then, LOCK IT
Passwords should be strong, complex and unique. Passwords that are easy to guess could be hacked in a matter of minutes and used to gain unauthorised access. Don’t send passwords by email in plain text. And secure all files that contain confidential or private data.