What should you do first when you encounter a cybersecurity problem?
- Panic and hire the first IT expert you can find;
- Go on the offense and search for the guys that hacked your system (surely, there are hackers out there who will sell your data on the darkweb); or
- Back up a bit and consider that human error may be the issue here.
Correct answer: Your data security issue may be because of your own employees’ mistakes. Human errors are common in the workplace, contributing to 90% of data breaches, according to TechRadar. That’s why they should not be taken lightly.
[img src=”/wp-content/uploads/sites/2860/2020/03/data-breach-human-error.png” alt=”Data breach statistic infographic” link=”/wp-content/uploads/sites/2860/2020/03/data-breach-human-error.png” target=”_blank”]
If you hold important information such as health information, insurance policies, or finance data, a simple data security mistake by your employee can be construed as a breach of contract, and can put your business in jeopardy. So if you want to avoid these kinds of issues, train your employees to practice the following habits.
#1 Follow protocols on password security
Passwords are the simplest but reliable layer of protection around your data. As such, you must impose certain protocols on setting up passwords in your office. Make sure you’re:
- Using passwords that you can easily remember, but we must complicate them enough that other people won’t be able to guess them. This way, you won’t have to go through all the trouble of resetting your password more times than necessary, or worse, be locked out of your files when you need them the most.
- Not sharing passwords with anyone. This careless mistake can easily give unauthorized employees access to files that have nothing to do with their tasks. This will put the data’s privacy at risk if they fall into the wrong hands.
- Not using the same passwords across several accounts, because if one of these accounts is compromised, it will put the others at risk, too.
Unsure about your business’s cybersecurity?
Is cyber security too complicated for you? Our free eBook simplifies everything and explains the 3 essential types of cyber security solutions your business must have.
#2 Handle company data with care
Despite the huge bulk of data that you need to handle every day, make it a habit to do things intentionally so information won’t be deleted or sent by mistake. People who casually handle the company’s files may accidentally leak or compromise these data.
To avoid this problem, constantly remind your employees of the importance of handling the data with care. Also, encourage them to take breaks when their workload is getting too much for them. This will improve their focus and lessen the likelihood of human error.
#3 Use only updated and company-authorized software
Careless employees fail to regularly update their software, or they download unauthorized ones. Hackers leverage on these mistakes, as outdated software have more unfixed bugs that they can use to infiltrate your systems.
As such, train your employees to regularly schedule updates (preferably outside office hours) to ensure that patches are installed and your systems are protected from cybercriminals. What’s more, you can partner with a trusted managed services provider like Cyber Shift Technologies to maximize your office security. Their experts will monitor your infrastructure 24/7/365 to prevent cyberattacks and mitigate the damage immediately in case a breach happens.
If you want to learn more about cybersecurity and employee training, contact Cyber Shift Technologies now for a free consultation.
[code-snippet name=”html-custom-blogging-form-on-blog”]