Does your business truly do everything it can to protect customer data? Between internet-connected devices and internal computer networks, cybersecurity threats can come from anywhere. If you aren’t taking steps to secure sensitive data, your business’s reputation and success are at stake.
Studies have found that small businesses (SMBs) are often targeted by cybercriminals who believe their security measures don’t match the rigors of enterprise-scale IT departments. After paying thousands of dollars to remediate damages, a data breach can also devastate your customer’s trust. What if there was a way to stop cyberattacks before they happen?
At Advanced Network Professionals, a local managed IT services company in Spencer, Iowa, we create virtual fortresses around our clients’ networks. Contact us today to learn how we can help you. In the meantime, read below to discover five of the best methods your business can use to protect customer data.
1. Require Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) & Strict Access Controls
Unauthorized users scouring your data spells out a whole list of problems. Make it harder for these unauthorized users to access your business and customer data in the first place by implementing Multi-Factor Authentication. Implementing Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) ensures users cannot access sensitive information without a second form of authentication.
This second step could be a texted code, authenticator app notification, or biometric scan of their fingerprint or face. You should also implement role-based access controls so that each employee only has access to the files they need to do their jobs. This reduces the amount of data that is exposed to any given person in the first place, let alone users who shouldn’t have access to your network in the first place.
At first, MFA may seem like an extra step needed to access data. When framed that simply, employees may view MFA as more of an inconvenience than an added layer of security. Make sure you share with your business’s employees exactly why this security measure is important and what it accomplishes: keeping sensitive data safe from those who should not have access to it.
2. Encrypt Your Business Data
You may have locked the front door, but that’s just one step someone needs to bypass to access all of your company’s records. What if they find a way past first security measure?
Encrypting sensitive information is one of the best ways to safeguard customer data while it’s at rest or in-transit. Enforcing strong encryption rules means sensitive customer records stored on premise or in the cloud, or traversing the internet remain inaccessible to outside observers.
Encryption scrambles data into ciphertext. Converting readable text to ciphertext is a complicated mathematical process. Information is scrambled in such a way that it is infeasible to break using brute force.
Even if a malicious user were to breach your perimeter and exfiltrate customer data, without the encryption key that information is worthless to them. This ensures that even if your data is stolen, your assets retain their privacy and can’t be used to exploit personal information.
3. Regularly Train Employees on Security Best Practices
You might be surprised to learn that human error is the leading cause of data breaches. Employees are only as good as the training they receive.
Businesses that have rolled out security training to their employees have experienced a significant decrease in successful phishing campaigns. Regular employee security awareness training can help your team learn what to look for when it comes to identifying malicious emails and links.
Plus, they’ll know how to avoid falling victim to common social engineering scams. If your employees know what cybersecurity threats look like, they can stop them from penetrating your network. Take the time to train your employees and watch the metrics prove your efforts worthwhile. If the training is successful, then you should see a notable reduction in click-happy employees and an increase in vigilance. Don’t worry if that results in more reports of possible threats. That’s simply your employees putting their training to use.
4. Always Update & Patch Your Systems
Using outdated operating systems, browsers, and applications is like putting a “hack me” sign on your network. Cybercriminals love targeting known vulnerabilities in legacy software.
Regular software updates and patch installations take the guesswork out of keeping your system secure. Automated patch management can help ensure your firewalls, antivirus software, and business applications are always up-to-date.
5. Work With a Local Managed IT Services Firm
Running a business is hard enough without having to manage your cybersecurity measures. Thankfully, you can leave the IT to the pros and still benefit from enterprise-level security measures.
A managed IT services provider like Advanced Network Professionals in Spencer, Iowa, has your business’s cybersecurity needs covered with round-the-clock monitoring, cutting-edge threat detection, and swift incident response.
Let us take the burden of your IT infrastructure off of your shoulders. Contact us today to see how we can help secure your network.
Conclusion: ANP Can Protect Your Business & Your Customers
Protecting customer data doesn’t have to be difficult. If you use MFA, encrypt customer data, train your employees, install software updates, and work with IT professionals, you are well on your way to creating a safer business environment.
Now it’s time to take action. Advanced Network Professionals is here to help you every step of the way. Contact us today to learn more about our IT services and how we can protect you from cybersecurity risks.
FAQs
How can I best protect customer data?
There is no single best method to protect customer data. A layered cybersecurity approach will provide the best protection. Some methods include implementing MFA, encrypting files, and working with a local managed IT services company.
Why is training employees important?
Since human error causes the majority of data breaches, training employees is critical to your business. By teaching your employees about cybersecurity, you’re adding another layer of defense that will help protect your business.
How can Advanced Network Professionals help me protect customer data?
Advanced Network Professionals is a local managed IT services company in Spencer, Iowa, that offers cybersecurity services designed to keep your business safe, compliant, and secure from cybersecurity threats.