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How To Safeguard Your Company Data

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StrategyDriven Risk Management Article | How To Safeguard Your Company DataIt doesn’t matter what kind of business you run, you will need to take steps to safeguard your company data, and that of your customers, from cybercrime and data loss. Losing important business information or having it stolen by a hacker could easily spell the end of your enterprise altogether, and it will certainly have a negative impact on your reputation. Therefore, it makes sense to put in safeguarding measures to protect the information and yourself. Here are some ways to do it.

Back Up

Backing up your information is simple and effective. Although it won’t protect against an attack by a cybercriminal by itself, it will allow you to restore the potentially missing or corrupt information left in the hacker’s wake, or as a result of a system failure.

If you can restore the information then you can continue working, even if there are other problems that still need to be dealt with. Without a backup of your work, you may well lose everything and have no way of continuing your business at all.

The most important thing to remember about making backups is that you will need to use a reliable external source to do it. There is no point in backing up your information to another computer on the same system; this is not going to keep it safe. Ideally you should use the cloud as not only will the information be protected but you can access it from anywhere – this is perfect if you are unable to get to your office or if there was a fire, for example, that destroyed your computing equipment.

Use A Firewall

A firewall will give you an extra line of defence against cyberattack. It works as a barrier against any malicious software that you may have inadvertently downloaded. This barrier, when correctly installed, will ensure that the virus cannot reach the more vulnerable and important parts of your computing system, blocking it completely.

The idea is a simple one, but there are many different types of firewall and it can become confusing and even overwhelming when you start to look more deeply into it. Because of this, it is best to have IT services Birmingham find the right firewall for you and install it – that way you know you are protected.

Password Protection

It is possible to set passwords on some programs such as Adobe Acrobat and the Microsoft Office suite. This adds an extra layer of security so that only those who have the password are able to open the document.

You can even password protect entire folders and networks if you want to and feel that this would be a useful protective measure that will safeguard your company data. When you are choosing a password, it must be something unique that cannot be guessed easily; never use phone numbers or birthdates or names. For the best password, you should use a combination of letters, numbers, and symbols. Although this will be harder to remember, it will also be harder to guess, so your information will be much safer.

7 Effective Strategies for Managing Customer Data

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StrategyDriven Customer Relationship Management Article |Managing Customer Data|7 Effective Strategies for Managing Customer DataData is one of the most valuable assets in any organization. Product development, marketing, and pricing, among others, are all influenced by the data the business has. With this, to effectively manage customer data and extract the most value out of it, take note of the strategies listed in this article.

Use a Customer Data Platform

A customer data platform or CDP is one of the most important tools for organizations. It should not be confused with customer relationship management software. The main goal of a CDP is to improve marketing decisions by unifying online and offline data. Whether it is a website or physical store visits, it presents valuable insights that can help make better decisions.

If you are looking for a good CDP to try, check out this link https://www.lytics.com/.

Perform Data Hygiene

Dirty data is useless. It can do more harm than good for the user. Data becomes dirty when it is outdated or inaccurate, among other things that will negatively impact its quality. To implement data hygiene, one of the most important is to have standardization rules. Automatic data cleansing will also be effective. Doing it manually is not only labor-intensive but can also be prone to errors.

Invest in Your People

To effectively manage customer data, you need to invest in your human resources. Your employees have an important role to play in making sure of the quality of data. Provide comprehensive training, especially regarding the use of data management tools.

Collect Only What You Need

Data can be overwhelming. Also, the more information you have about your competitors, the more vulnerable you are to attack. With this, avoid collecting data that you don’t need. Gather only the essential information that you will need when making business decisions.

Be Ethical

Gathering information ethically is also one of the most important strategies in customer data management. When you collect information, be straightforward about how you intend to use the data collected. Provide customers with the option to opt-in if they want to share information. A well-crafted privacy policy is also a must. If you are unethical in data management, you can lose the trust of your customers and this can taint the image of the business.

Create a Backup

Data backups should be non-negotiable. There is a high chance of losing online data, so you need to prepare for the worst. By having a backup and recovery plan, the effects of data loss will be minimal. Otherwise, it can cripple the operations of your business.

Pay Attention to Data Security

Data security is important to protect information from attacks. Whether it is physical or digital means, you need to have proactive measures to prevent a data breach. For online data management, using strong passwords and multifactor authentication will help. Installing antivirus software can also be effective. It will also be good to limit accessibility.

From using a customer data platform to implementing data security measures, this article talked about the best ways to manage customer data. It is crucial to have a comprehensive approach to data management to protect its quality.

Improving Your Data Security Following These Guidelines

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For rhyming purposes and historical recall, it would be nice if it were the year 1964 when Gordon Moore discovered what came to be known as Moore’s Law. But it was 1965, and the rhyme is kaput. Still, the principle discovered lives on, and it is generally accepted today that technological capability in terms of computation doubles on itself about every eighteen months.

The trickle-down effect of this continual forward expansion can mean businesses must update tech systems every eighteen months to five years, depending on region, competition, forward development, and many other factors unique to a given operation. Generally, technological innovations pay for themselves through increased capability or competitive viability. There’s a balance, though, and you don’t want to be sidelined by tech that’s still buggy.

There’s an implication here that often goes without consideration, however. That is the cybercriminal element. As technology exponentially compounds on itself at eighteen-month intervals, cybercrime “startups” do their best to be on the cutting edge, as this allows them an advantage over targets.

With new technologies come new threats even as old issues are resolved. Cybercriminals work to be at the forefront of such tech frontiers to give themselves advantage. It’s absolutely integral that your business adopt, at least in terms of security, the latest available protocols. Following, several data security strategies and techniques will be explored to help you most effectively secure your business in a turbulent tech world.

StrategyDriven Organizational Performance Measures Article | Data Security| Improving Your Data Security Following These Guidelines1. Always Have Worst-Case Scenario Protocols Determined

Cloud computing is the friend of the data security professional today. Apps and server logs can be monitored to catch anomalous behavior and maintain reliable functionality.

Since cloud computing is managed by agencies who have competitive stakes in facilitating top-tier service, in addition to next-level cloud design apps and infrastructure solutions, the newest security protocols can be automatically applied.

This may depend on your cloud provider, or factors such as whether you’ve chosen hybrid, public, or private clouds. Whichever way you go, solutions like database mirroring can help operations on the web remain continuous while you troubleshoot a primary network.

You can also follow-through on the 3-2-1 rule of data protection. Basically, this rule is: three backups on at least two different kinds of media, with a backup being located off-site. Cloud computing can easily fill the niche of your off-site backup.

Lastly, ensure you’ve got a recovery protocol ironed out. Rebooting will be a process, and if you haven’t planned for it, downtime will likely be greater. In terms of recovery, you need not just backups, but restoration protocols.

StrategyDriven Organizational Performance Measures Article | Data Security| Improving Your Data Security Following These Guidelines2. Continuously Update Security Measures

Whether or not you use cloud computing for data security, it’s integral that you apply security patches as soon as they become available. Firewalls fall out of effectiveness given time, these must be updated at regular intervals. The same is true with antivirus protocols, anti-malware, or any other protective software solution. Make sure your data is safe by using the best security and data loss prevention tools there are. You can contact cybersecurity experts such as Alpine Security to learn more about those.

Oftentimes it takes a cybercriminal targeting an organization for security solutions to be determined. You’ve got to stay on the cutting edge of these things, or you’re a sitting duck. Perhaps initially, your business may be less likely to be targeted; but cybercriminals extort all economic targets if they can get away with it.

3. Facilitate Recurring Staff Security Training

It’s important that you “upgrade” your staff just as you update your tech systems. At intervals, they need to be appraised of new cybercriminal threats and hacker strategies. Consider the social engineering hack, as an example. This is when someone doesn’t use any software to break into an organization, they simply use human nature and clever posturing.

Such hacks are often attached to ransomware. Sometimes clever trickery can produce financial theft right from the hands of unsuspecting businesses when hackers get access to personal information, forge an email requisitioning funds, then steal indiscriminately. Your staff need to know what sort of cons are out there, and how to avoid being undermined by them. New ones develop all the time, so keep them educated.

StrategyDrivenOrganizational Performance Measures Article | Data Security| Improving Your Data Security Following These Guidelines4. Don’t Overlook Password Management

Passwords are some of your most important assets. You need to reset them regularly, and they need to be non-intuitive. Avoid mnemonic devices, avoid names you’re familiar with. What you need to do is initiate password management which automatically updates passwords and can provide new one’s when necessary. Working with MSPs can be integral in lining out the best password management; it will depend on your operation.

Covering All Your Bases

There’s no way to anticipate all disasters. You need to have backup and recovery protocols determined. You can defray some instances of cybercriminal intrusion through up-to-date tech security measures, but you must also provide your employees with the training necessary to protect against other means of intrusion. Finally, make sure passwords are properly managed. Such an approach to data security is comprehensive and can help you maintain optimum sustainability.

How to Keep Control Over Your Cloud Data

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StrategyDriven Risk Management Articles | Cloud Security | How to Keep Control Over Your Cloud DataMore people than ever are using cloud platforms for both business and personal use, and the numbers are set to continue growing. Consider how recently it used to be that photos and documents had to be emailed or sent over via a USB flash drive. Nowadays, large volumes of data can be shared quickly and easily, making cloud platforms one of the most essential priorities for businesses and individuals. Now that so many people use cloud technology, the onus has shifted to more security awareness. All online processes are vulnerable to risk, and cloud technologies seem especially vulnerable. If you’re concerned about your levels of security when using cloud platforms, here’s what you need to know.

Access Issues: Your Priority

One of the biggest benefits of the cloud is that you can access your data from any device and from anywhere in the world. While this is very convenient, it also means that hackers have similar access options. It’s vital to remember that although you own the data that you upload to the cloud, you do not own the security infrastructure. Being more responsible for your data is the key to better online security, and if you’re using a cloud platform then you should consider the following strategies to boost your own security:

  • Know what they do: If you haven’t read your user agreement then how do you know how those platforms are planning to protect you? It may take some time, but reading the user agreement will help you to understand how cloud platforms work and how they plan your security. McAfee has some in-depth assessment guides, so if you’re asking ‘what is cloud security’ then this could help you understand just how in-depth the security measures that they use can be.
  • Password Protection: Everyone knows that they need stronger password management. No matter how many times you read and ignore this piece of advice, it remains as true as ever. Never use the same password on multiple platforms, and consider making use of a password management system to give your online security a serious boost.
  • Essential Encryption: This is by far the most effective way of protecting yourself and your data. You can encrypt your cloud data by using software that necessitates an additional password before full access is granted. That way, even if hackers do get into your system, they cannot gain access to the encrypted data. This is essential for more sensitive information. Some cloud providers offer encrypted services as part of their package, and this could be the key trend to watch in the future.

Whatever you use the cloud for, be it personal photos or business documents, keeping your data safe should be a high priority. Understand what cloud providers are doing to protect you, and improve your own personal online security. Don’t assume that hackers only target large corporations. Both small businesses and private individuals are common targets, and you will be able to relax more knowing that your cloud security is fully optimized and as strong as it can possibly be.