Nowadays, most businesses store information on their local and cloud-based systems. Like most companies, you probably store personal information for clients and employees. You need a data security plan to protect your business against potential litigation for a data breach.
According to the FTC, personal data like credit card information and Social Security numbers appeal to criminals. Criminals can use it for identity theft and fraud.
Keep only what you need for your company
If you do not need personally-identifying information, then do not keep it. You should only need Social Security numbers for lawful purposes like reporting taxes. You should not use those numbers for the identification of employees or clients. If you have a company app, do not allow it to collect data it does not need. The less data you have, the less you have to protect.
Maintain network security on-site and via the cloud
Keep sensitive data stored on computers that you can quickly identify. You should be able to identify all connections that access the sensitive information. Look for vulnerabilities in your network. In some cases, you may want to have a security audit to ensure the safety of your network and the defenses you have in place against attacks. Try not to store consumer data on computers with internet connections unless you have to.
All businesses should have a firewall that protects against potential hackers. Firewalls block unauthorized users from accessing your computer.
In addition to taking preventative measures, you should also have an intrusion detection system. You need to know how to detect a breach and plan for what to do if you have a data breach.
