If you read about the rate at which data of the world is increasing on a second and minute basis, you will be surprised how everyone is managing to store this data. At times it seems the world will run out of solutions to storing data pretty soon looking at the alarming rate of increase of data.
Think about the devices capturing data every second of the day. You have your barcode scanners, CCTV cameras, mobile phone cameras, computers, body scanners at airports, ultrasound machines, etc. are just a few of the millions of devices capturing loads and loads of data at any given moment.
Whether you own a large enterprise, a small business or you are just a person sitting at home with a personal computer, data security is an extremely important factor to consider. While data security is crucial for every person who has some sensitive data to protect, its importance is much higher for businesses because businesses hold sensitive data of other thousands and millions of customers. If you own a business and there is data that needs protection, make sure you take a step right now. Here are some tips to help you make your data secure:
1. Update Your Softwares
Most people think of protecting data in terms of hiding their photos, pictures, files and sheets in a way they are not disclosed to anyone but them. However, protection of data includes a lot of other things.
The most important thing is protecting your softwares, applications and tools as soon as their updates arrive. Old softwares with vulnerabilities are the best places for hackers to get into your systems. There is a reason why companies are sending updates for their softwares constantly. While improving on other things, they are also getting rid of the vulnerabilities of the past versions of their softwares.
2. Encrypt The Data
Whatever sensitive information you have on your computers, it needs to be protected through encryption. There are many tools you can use for encryption purposes. It does not matter where you keep those sensitive files and data, once things are encrypted you can be rest assured no one can meddle with them.
Encrypted files can be kept on your own computer, stored on external storage devices for future use or uploaded in the cloud so you can access the data whenever you want. Make sure to use a reliable software for encryption purposes.
3. Monitor Employees
It is not to say that all employees are bad but people who have bad intentions don’t have any particular signs on their face to recognize them. You can install certain softwares to make sure no employee at your workplace is compromising on the security of your data.
You can also hand over smartphones to them and install spyware software tools that can monitor their activities on the phones you have given them. You can restrict their access to certain websites or use softwares that record whatever is happening on the screen. Some screenshot softwares can be used to take shots of the screen.
4. Backup
The most important thing for any data’s safety is its backup. No matter what measures you take, things can go wrong at any time. Even the biggest tech giants of the world, whose security solutions are trusted by millions around the world, have been attacked by cybercriminals.
Should someone get access to your sensitive data and wash it out completely, your backups will save you from going out of business. You can save these backups on external devices. To make it more affordable you can put your backups in the cloud for monthly or yearly subscriptions.
5. Secure With Antivirus
Of course, how could you ever forget the importance of installing an antivirus? There are many different antivirus softwares to choose from. You have to look for one that provides the best solution for businesses. Do not rely on demos and trials because they lack many of the most important features.
Do not go for an antivirus company that is more known for making antivirus for personal computers. Look for an antivirus solution from a company that’s known for making antivirus softwares for commercial use. Have it installed on your entire system for protection against viruses, malwares, spywares, adwares, Trojans, etc.
6. Work With IT Experts
One great way to take care of the whole security related problem is to get in touch with the professional IT experts. Working with IT experts ensures that professionals are doing their job and you can focus on yours.
They know not only the best softwares but also the best practices to keep your data and system protected against any cyberattacks. IT companies that provide such services can help you in many different ways. They provide advisory, monitoring and technical services so your systems can be secured not only today but for tomorrow as well.
7. Use Strong Passwords
It does not matter how insignificant some online services is for you, when it comes to choosing a password you have to make sure to pick a strong one. What you might not realize is that hackers can find a loophole in one of your accounts and access all of your other online accounts using just one.
The big problem here is how one can remember so many passwords. The best way to deal with this problem is to use a software tool that not only allows you to store your passwords but generates random and difficult passwords too.
8. Be Intelligent
You are the most important link to all of these things. If you don’t go for best practices to secure your data, nothing will work. Make sure you log out from your accounts when you leave the computer.
Make sure to lock the computer when you leave your seat. Do not open any unknown links that come to you in emails or even on instant messaging applications like Skype, WhatsApp, etc. Do not download softwares from third parties. Don’t be alarmed if some random website tells you that your computer is at risk and asks you to install some random antivirus software.
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