Cyberattacks and data breaches can cause major disruptions to business internally and externally. They can cause the loss of revenue from dissatisfied customers, legal action by regulatory agencies, and reputational damage. However, it’s important be aware that these risks are usually preventable with proper security measures in place.
In order to ensure the safety of its data, a company must adhere to certain laws and regulations. They could be specific to a particular location, such as GDPR in the EU or industry-specific, like HIPAA in the US, but they must be in place regardless of the size and size of the business’s operations.
These rules and regulations include the encryption of sensitive information sent via public networks. They also protect the privacy of employees through background checks or checking references on job applicants. They only collect information that is necessary to business processes. They also typically require encryption on devices like laptops and portable storage. They may also have policies that prohibit the use of software that is not approved by the company, since this increases the likelihood of data breaches and malware infections.
In addition, companies need to be aware of the entire lifecycle of their data and how it moves throughout the network. This can be accomplished with the help of data maps, which will show how data was brought to the company where it is now and who has access to it. It is important to only collect data necessary to fulfill the purpose of the business and not keep it for any longer than is needed, as this reduces the risk of an attack on data. Zero Trust architecture is a method of tackling cybersecurity that could be beneficial for businesses, since it enforces the concept of never putting any trust in any device or user until they have been verified.
