Six tips to keep your company's data safe
Posted: Sun Dec 22, 2024 5:43 am
Since its beginning in late 2019, the Covid-19 pandemic has created a universe of opportunities for cybercriminals. With the imposition of social isolation, companies were forced to migrate their work schedules from in-person to home office. Computers previously connected and protected on corporate networks monitored by security teams began to operate via virtual private networks (VPNs) and home Wi-Fi configurations. Confidential business data that could previously only be accessed internally had to be opened for remote access. The consequence of this was a wide open door in the security of corporate networks.
The growth in online traffic has also brought new vulnerabilities. On March 7 of this year, the Brasil Internet Exchange , a project by CGI.br and NIC.br that brings together internet traffic exchange points (PTT), reached a peak traffic of 16 terabits per second (Tbps). Compared to the numbers recorded a year earlier, when the pandemic had not yet definitively taken hold in the country, the growth was 60%. According to the entity, this is the only feat on the planet.
More people online means more opportunities for scammers. A survey conducted at the end of 2020 by the Brazilian Federation of Banks (Febraban) highlights an 80% increase in attempted phishing attacks – which begin with the receipt of emails containing viruses or links that direct the user to fake websites.
The consequences of this are numerous, both oman whatsapp number for individuals and legal entities. In the first case, the leaking of personal information can lead not only to attempts at financial fraud against the individual , but also to blackmail, humiliation or even personal attacks, which can cause reputational damage that is infinitely worse and more difficult to repair than any financial information. For companies, data leaks can compromise the progress of several processes and financial transactions, in addition to causing irreparable damage to the reputation of the institutions.
According to the Unisys Security Index , which measures consumer concerns about various aspects related to national, personal, financial and internet security worldwide, 71% of Brazilians do not believe that organizations are adequately protecting their customers' data; 80% are concerned about bank fraud; and 85% would stop carrying out transactions with financial institutions that did not take good care of their customers' data.
Therefore, keeping your company's data safe is essential for the health and prosperity of your business. With this in mind, we have put together some tips that can keep your company more protected. Check it out!
6 tips to keep your company's data safe
Minimize information
With the advancement of big data, a myth has been created that all information is essential for companies, because it can be used to build models and develop artificial intelligence to optimize business. However, most companies store much more information than they need, especially about their customers. By keeping only what is necessary, you minimize the attractiveness of your data for theft and the negative impact of any leaks that may occur. Not to mention the high costs of data storage. Here, the maxim applies: less is always more.
Track your data
Mechanisms such as “seeds” – false records or data planted in the middle of a database – and “artifacts” – particular and unique data formats or structures – help companies mark their data, acting as an “invisible tracker” for the information. They increase the risk of anyone trying to access the data improperly being caught, and make it easy to identify whether a leak really came from the company or not.
Always keep an eye out
Have you ever heard the saying that it is the owner's eye that makes cattle fat? With all due respect, this saying can be adapted to the issue of security in companies, a subject that needs to be seen as a cultural pillar by all employees. It is not enough to simply train your employees so that they do not commit actions that could put the company's systems at risk. You need to be constantly monitoring, since most data leaks are orchestrated by people within the company, sometimes accidentally and sometimes on purpose.
Don't try to reinvent the wheel
Security standards and appropriate tools already exist on the market, offering broad and intelligent approaches to protecting critical data, wherever it may be. Trying to invent and develop your own tools and protocols tends to cause more problems than it solves. Therefore, it is best to rely on the experience and expertise of specialized companies and their products.
Get support from companies specializing in data security
One of the main actions that a company should take is to place data security in the hands of specialized companies. Many multinationals, for example, use remote monitoring services to take care of their data, close gaps and avoid problems related to file integrity and, ultimately, protect against possible attacks by criminals. In addition, this choice offers excellent cost-benefit, especially for small and medium-sized companies that are expanding.
The growth in online traffic has also brought new vulnerabilities. On March 7 of this year, the Brasil Internet Exchange , a project by CGI.br and NIC.br that brings together internet traffic exchange points (PTT), reached a peak traffic of 16 terabits per second (Tbps). Compared to the numbers recorded a year earlier, when the pandemic had not yet definitively taken hold in the country, the growth was 60%. According to the entity, this is the only feat on the planet.
More people online means more opportunities for scammers. A survey conducted at the end of 2020 by the Brazilian Federation of Banks (Febraban) highlights an 80% increase in attempted phishing attacks – which begin with the receipt of emails containing viruses or links that direct the user to fake websites.
The consequences of this are numerous, both oman whatsapp number for individuals and legal entities. In the first case, the leaking of personal information can lead not only to attempts at financial fraud against the individual , but also to blackmail, humiliation or even personal attacks, which can cause reputational damage that is infinitely worse and more difficult to repair than any financial information. For companies, data leaks can compromise the progress of several processes and financial transactions, in addition to causing irreparable damage to the reputation of the institutions.
According to the Unisys Security Index , which measures consumer concerns about various aspects related to national, personal, financial and internet security worldwide, 71% of Brazilians do not believe that organizations are adequately protecting their customers' data; 80% are concerned about bank fraud; and 85% would stop carrying out transactions with financial institutions that did not take good care of their customers' data.
Therefore, keeping your company's data safe is essential for the health and prosperity of your business. With this in mind, we have put together some tips that can keep your company more protected. Check it out!
6 tips to keep your company's data safe
Minimize information
With the advancement of big data, a myth has been created that all information is essential for companies, because it can be used to build models and develop artificial intelligence to optimize business. However, most companies store much more information than they need, especially about their customers. By keeping only what is necessary, you minimize the attractiveness of your data for theft and the negative impact of any leaks that may occur. Not to mention the high costs of data storage. Here, the maxim applies: less is always more.
Track your data
Mechanisms such as “seeds” – false records or data planted in the middle of a database – and “artifacts” – particular and unique data formats or structures – help companies mark their data, acting as an “invisible tracker” for the information. They increase the risk of anyone trying to access the data improperly being caught, and make it easy to identify whether a leak really came from the company or not.
Always keep an eye out
Have you ever heard the saying that it is the owner's eye that makes cattle fat? With all due respect, this saying can be adapted to the issue of security in companies, a subject that needs to be seen as a cultural pillar by all employees. It is not enough to simply train your employees so that they do not commit actions that could put the company's systems at risk. You need to be constantly monitoring, since most data leaks are orchestrated by people within the company, sometimes accidentally and sometimes on purpose.
Don't try to reinvent the wheel
Security standards and appropriate tools already exist on the market, offering broad and intelligent approaches to protecting critical data, wherever it may be. Trying to invent and develop your own tools and protocols tends to cause more problems than it solves. Therefore, it is best to rely on the experience and expertise of specialized companies and their products.
Get support from companies specializing in data security
One of the main actions that a company should take is to place data security in the hands of specialized companies. Many multinationals, for example, use remote monitoring services to take care of their data, close gaps and avoid problems related to file integrity and, ultimately, protect against possible attacks by criminals. In addition, this choice offers excellent cost-benefit, especially for small and medium-sized companies that are expanding.