Cyberattacks are a threat for businesses, and it is crucial your company takes steps to protect sensitive information.
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce offers the following steps you and your team can take to strengthen your company’s protection and minimize the chances of a data breach.
- Implement multifactor authentication. Passwords are vulnerable because they are used across the internet and stored in apps and devices. Use multifactor authentication, which requires at least two methods of verification to successfully sign in to your accounts.
- Use single sign-on. This process uses recurring login credentials or a one-time password. You and your employees would log in to the browser of the service provider, which then authenticates the user; because the user already was authenticated by the service provider, he or she would not need to log in to every app and service on all devices individually. Single sign-on can save time spent logging in and recovering lost or forgotten passwords.
- Use zero trust security. With zero trust security, the system authenticates and authorizes users, logins and apps at every opportunity. Users have access limited to the essential files, programs and software they need to do their work. The zero trust model operates as if it has already been compromised by keeping things separate, detecting threats and encrypting files.
- Shield your passwords. Weak passwords can lead to data breaches. Passwords should never include personal information, be used across multiple accounts, or include common or obvious combinations of characters. Be sure your employees update their passwords periodically and encourage them to make passwords truly unique. You may want to consider requiring longer passwords.
- Shred old records. Records you no longer need still contain sensitive information. All documents with personal information on them should be thoroughly shredded. Implement a “shredding day” and ask employees to prepare documents that must be shredded.
- Protect IT systems. It is crucial your company installs strong antivirus software. Keep the software up to date and run regular checks of your devices. You also can set up a firewall or use a private network.
