Whether you are a sole trader, a small business owner, or the leader of a large organisation, ensuring you have solid data protection measures in place is critical.
1. Always use strong passwords
In addition to using a different password for every account, each password should contain letters, numbers, and special characters. These passwords should not be written down; therefore, you may wish to use a tool to help you keep track of your login information, such as Google Password Manager
You should also enable multi-factor authentication and limit failed login attempts, which will help to protect your information against brute force attacks.
2. Audit your privacy settings
Many apps automatically request access to additional information they don’t really need to function. By carefully monitoring app permissions in the settings menu, you can ensure the apps you are using can only access relevant information.
3. Keep your data backed up
If you were to experience a cyberattack or equipment failure, having backups of your data will help to mitigate problems that could significantly affect your business. Backups should be placed on a separate device or drive and kept up to date, particularly if the data you use changes regularly.
You may also wish to partner with a data analysis company such as shepper.com, as professional teams understand how to implement the right techniques to ensure you are getting the most out of your data.
4. Be aware of scams
As scams become even more sophisticated, no one is immune from being taken in by this strategy. Remaining up to date with new scams that have emerged recently and taking the time to double-check whether anything doesn’t seem quite right can help you protect both your data and your equipment.
5. Always install software and system updates
Updates to systems and software are released because they provide important security features that can help to keep your information safe. While it might be tempting to hit the ‘update later’ button, it is best practice to install these updates as soon as they become available.