Cyber attacks and data breaches can cause major disruptions to business internally and externally. They can result in loss of revenue due to dissatisfied clients as well as legal action taken by regulators, and reputational damage. However, it’s important keep in mind that these threats can be avoided with proper security measures in place.
To ensure the security of its data, businesses must adhere to specific laws and regulations. They could be specific to a particular location, such as GDPR in the EU or industry-specific, like HIPAA in the US, but they must exist regardless of the size and nature of the company’s activities.
These rules and regulations often contain things like encryption of sensitive data sent via public networks, ensuring the confidentiality of employees by checking references or conducting background checks of job applicants and only collecting information that is vital to business processes. They often also require encryption try this on laptops or portable storage. They may even include an order that prohibits the use of software that is not approved by their company since this increases the risk of malware and data breaches.
Furthermore, companies must understand the full lifecycle of their data and how it flows around the network. This can be done by using a data map, which will show how data was brought to the organization and where it is currently located and who has access to it. Data should only be gathered to serve a purpose, and should not be stored longer than it is required. This helps reduce the risk of data security breaches. Zero Trust architecture is a method to tackle cybersecurity that can be beneficial for businesses since it enforces the rule of never putting any trust in any device or user until they have been verified.