The age of information brings with it a number of opportunities. However, there are also plenty of risks. One of those risks is data security. In this post, we’ll share 5 data security tips to help protect your personal (or business’s) information.
Let’s take a look!
5 Ways To Protect Your Data
1. Back Up Your data
One of the biggest threats to your data isn’t theft, it’s loss. There’s nothing worse than logging onto your computer and trying to find a file, only to realize that it has disappeared forever. Data backups will create a duplicate copy of your data to ensure it can be recovered in the event of stolen, lost, or compromised files.
This one simple step has the potential to save hours of work that will need to be spent trying to recreate the documents you lost.
2. Encrypt Your Data
According to Digital Guardian, data encryption:
“Translates data into another form, or code, so that only people with access to a secret key or password can read it.”
Digital Guardian
When encrypting your data, it’s also important to make sure you only give the secret key to a select group of people.
3. Don’t Ignore System Updates
How often have you clicked the “remind me later” button when prompted to initiate a system update on one of your devices? If you’re like most people, probably pretty often.
The problem with this is that, believe it or not, there’s actually a reason for these system updates. They’ll often include important upgrades and security patches to help keep your data protected.
So, next time you’re tempted to delay that system update yet again, realize that this may be to your own detriment.
4. Secure Your Network With a Password
If you don’t already, make sure you create a password for your wireless network. This will prevent unauthorized users from accessing your business’s internet connection for their own benefit. They could simply be just trying to score a free wifi connection, however, an unprotected network opens the door to security threats and data leakage. You can even take it one step further by setting up your router so it doesn’t broadcast your network name to those in close proximity.
5. Shred Old Documents
One of the biggest threats to your data security is failing to eliminate old documents containing sensitive information. For example, do you have important papers lying around your office? If so, it might be a good idea to consider hiring a professional shredding service.
A professional shredding service will help you eliminate all unused or expired documents, reducing the risk that they will fall into the wrong hands. Also, many data destruction services will provide mobile shredding, meaning they’ll come right to your place of work to get the job done!
Worried About Data Security?
Western archives provides a range of data destruction and storage services to make sure your business is protected. From shredding to warehousing, we have you covered. Please contact us today to learn more about how we can help protect your data.