Whatever your business customers and clients count on your company to keep their personal data secure. If hackers gain access to your personal information, they could cause identity theft, financial fraud and a loss of confidence. The good news is, it is possible to stop data breaches from happening in the first in the first.
Keeping offline personal information safe is about ensuring that physical records, like paper files and disks, are not accessible to unauthorized individuals. It is essential to clearly label any storage media, and to adhere to the policies of the company when handling sensitive information.
Personal information on the internet is more complicated to keep safe because it is stored in computers, servers and other devices with the capability to communicate with other devices online. The best practices for safeguarding personal data online differs based on platform, therefore it is important to research the security practices of your company prior to storing any sensitive information. In addition, regulations like GDPR, CCPA and HIPAA have made it easier for individuals to know what information an organization holds and request that it be deleted.
Encrypting data, both when it’s being stored or transmitted over a network, is one of the most efficient ways to secure information. It’s a good idea also to periodically review your data and only keep the necessary data. This will help you avoid major data incidents which could have a significant impact on your company, or the people you trust.