Is Your Business Safe From A Data Breach?
From keeping organized records of transactions to storing away private employee and client information, proficient business data storage requires outstanding cybersecurity measures to ensure your company is safe from a potential data breach.
Even if you believe your business internet service is immune to such a virtual hazard, the fact remains that in 2022, there were nearly 4,145 cases of corporate data breaches, while an estimated 422 million Americans were impacted by personal data exposure, where their personal information was digitally exposed due to insufficient or hacking of cybersecurity services.
It’s also important to keep in mind that data breaches can not only divulge private or sensitive information from your business but can also prove costly to reverse or amend. In the U.S. alone, the average cost to resolve one breached data record is $242, which can quickly add up if multiple data breaches are reported and accounted for.
If you’re concerned that your business IT solutions could upgrade cybersecurity, let’s look at some specific examples of data breaches and what you can do to avoid them from impacting your company.
Common Types of Business Data Breach
Not all data breaches are the same. Various types of malware or hackers have different intentions to breach your company’s data.
Here are the most common example of data breaches.
Phishing
Phishing is an extremely common form of data breach, where scammers set up authentic-looking websites or send emails from reputable-sounding companies that ask for personal information such as email passwords, social security numbers, etc.
If provided with personal information, phishers can access various private or financial accounts, resulting in identity or financial theft.
Virus/Malware
Viruses or malware are typically intended to disrupt, damage, or erase a company’s data storage. They can be sent and installed by something as simple as clicking a website link.
Stolen Information
Stolen information generally stems from larger corporations containing thousands of millions of clients’ personal information getting hacked, which can ultimately lead to consequences similar to phishing.
Ransomware
Ransomware is another malicious software that prevents individuals from accessing their networks, systems, or computer files. The software will ask for a ransom to be paid in return for access and can cause not only loss of critical information but expensive disruptions.
Distributed Denial-of-Service
DDoS attacks are intended to make critical resources unavailable. For example, the perpetrator might make a florist's website unavailable on Valentine's Day or disrupt a financial institution's website making it more challenging for consumers to utilize the online resources.
The common denominator of all of these forms of data breach is that they can prove costly in terms of time, effort, and money to resolve.
Get Educated
The first step in boosting your line of defense against data breaches is to educate you and your employees on what can put your business at risk of malware or hacking. Communicate with your business IT service on what virtual activities and habits can make your company more susceptible to cybercrime.
Here are a few general tips to keep in mind to help your business avoid becoming a victim to a data breach.
Stay Updated With Antivirus Software & Firewalls
Most new programs can be downloaded through Microsoft Windows or antivirus web pages. Both of these can be found online; however, it is recommended to ensure the site is legitimate by checking with a trusted provider.
Use Strong, Complicated Passwords for Company Logins
While there are password managers to help you create a strong code, the best advice is to include at least 12 characters combined with symbols, lowercase letters, capital letters, and numbers, and don't use words that are commonly used.
Set Up a Virtual Private Network (VPN)
VPNs can help you route and encrypt your online traffic through a secure server and are downloadable as an app for easy implementation.
Be Cautious & Aware of Links You Click or Open
You always want to be cautious of unsolicited attachments, even if it's someone you know, because their file may be corrupted, and they may have no clue. Keep your software updated, and trust your instincts, so if the e-mail seems suspicious, don't open it.
Avoid Responding, Replying, or Calling Unknown Sources
The general rule is if you don't know them, it's best not to respond. This is because if it is a spammer, the response will inform them that your address is active and can prompt further correspondence.
The more conscious you and your employees are of data breaching, the less likely your business will experience it.
Back Up Important Information
Having efficient data storage solutions to back up any essential private information for your business is crucial to avoiding a data breach catastrophe in the event of a hacking or malware download.
In addition to keeping an information inventory of all important files, backing up any sensitive and private data onto external hard drives or data storage cloud services will certainly come in handy in the event that any data gets wiped out or used for extortion during a data security breach.
Find the Right Technology Solutions for Your Business
Even if cybersecurity is anything but your area of expertise, it is important to utilize a reputable business IT service provider with significant cybersecurity resources and experience in optimal data storage solutions.
At Lighthouse Technology Solutions, we offer our clients proficient cybersecurity and data storage services that will help prevent any corporate chaos a data security breach can cause.
Contact us today to request a free quote on all our business IT services, or call us at 612-345-9177 to speak directly with one of our commercial data storage experts.