Your customers trust you with their private information. So how safe is your business from an online security breach? If you don’t know, chances are you haven’t taken the proper precautions to protect confidential information from unauthorized access.
Nearly every business has at least some personal information on file – Social Security numbers, credit card information, and addresses are all needed for everyday tasks such as filling orders, billing, and completing payroll. Your customers and employees need to know that you’re doing everything you can to secure their privacy by employing the very best Information Security practices. Their privacy should be as important to you as it is to them – because when security is breached, not only do individuals suffer, so does your bottom line. Lost business, lawsuits, and bankruptcy can all occur as a result of compromised security.
It’s never too late to develop proper Information Security guidelines for your business. Here are a few tips on how to protect your company from a security crisis.
1. Know your database: Be familiar with what type of personal information is kept in your computers, laptops, flash drives, and other media. Talk to your staff and service providers about who sends personal information, how personal information is collected, what kind of information is collected, and who has access to the information.
2. Decide what to keep: Do not keep or obtain any information unless it is absolutely necessary for conducting business. When personal information becomes irrelevant, dispose of it immediately and confidentially. If you do need to maintain sensitive information, develop policies that outline what information should be kept, how long it should be kept, and how to dispose of it when it is no longer needed.
3. Protect your information: Make sure that your software is regularly updated. Run anti-virus and anti-spyware programs on a regular basis. Use secure connections and web applications for online transactions. Avoid using Social Security numbers as identification numbers. Safeguard your files with strong passwords that are only accessed by authorized personnel.
4. Train employees to follow proper security procedures: Make sure your employees do not share passwords or store passwords where they can be easily located. Instruct employees to keep computers logged off when not in use. Keep staff updated about new security practices.
Ongoing Information Security is not only vital to the continued success of your business, but to your peace of mind as well. Don’t let a security breach damage your company’s credibility. Protect your information today and protect your profitability tomorrow.
Need help getting started? Give us a call at (800) 496-8001 or visit our website at http://www.milestechnologies.com/.
