Managing business data can be tricky at times! Let’s face it, most business are organising a lot of information, across a myriad of formats, within many departments and through a variety of daily tasks. So, what is the impact if they don’t manage it effectively and how can companies improve data efficiency?
According to Technology Service company, AAG, “32% of UK businesses reported suffering an attack or breach between 2022-2023,” and “The average cost of a breach against medium and large businesses was £4960”. Any business would appreciate that suffering this type of financial loss through a fine is not something that they would want to endure. Plus, it’s not only the financial loss which has an impact but also the time that it takes to prepare evidence for a data breach case, including the immediate repair required to fix systems. The impact on the business goes much further than just the fine and so it is important to get it right.
Alleviating the impact of a data breach by effectively managing business data
There are various provisions which businesses can take to mitigate the mishandling of data and reduce the likelihood of a data breach. These include the following:
- Carry out a Data Clean – Clear out old records by deleting or archiving information to tidy up your data files and to reduce old information from being openly accessed. Completely remove old records from systems including any contact information such as names, addresses, email addresses and phone numbers.
- Check security – System security needs to be water-tight! To achieve this, check for security updates to make sure that the business is running the very latest security patches. This should include security updates for CRM systems and any cloud services, plus computer hardware protection in terms of firewalls and anti-virus software.
- Opt for extra levels of security – There are several extra levels of security which you can apply to your daily tasks to minimise accidental leaks.
– Apply 2 factor login provisions to systems.
– Encrypt files with password protection before sending.
– Add a VPN to your device for a secure and private connection. - Be email cautious – Emails from un-identified users can carry anything from viruses to malware code or phishing attacks. Grow your knowledge on email attacks and learn how to recognise poor email security – https://www.cloudsecuretech.com/types-of-email-attacks-and-the-damage-they-can-cause/#:~:text=The%20most%20common%20techniques%20used,phishing%2C%20virus%20and%20spam%20emails.
- Update passwords – If you haven’t updated your password for a while then it’s time for a refresh. Avoid using pets, kids, or spouse names which could be easily traced back to you. Also include capitals, numbers, and special characters for a higher level of security. Equally be aware that if anyone has left the business, they their login has been updated so that they can’t gain access into files.
Prioritising Customer Data
Here at WeAnswer we prioritise customer data and treat all contact information with the upmost respect. As part of our commitment to handling data through our UK contact centre, we are accredited with ISO 27001 for Information Security Management. To find out how we can help your company with managing your own customer data and enquiries to include customer service support, please contact us.
- Find more cyber crime statistics at: https://aag-it.com/the-latest-cyber-crime-statistics/#:~:text=The%20average%20cost%20of%20a,to%20%2410.5%20trillion%20by%202025.
