Cyber Security: Physical Security The Need Of The Hour For The Growth Of Small Businesses
23 June 2023
Security breaches have become a concern for all organizations. It is specifically a threat to small businesses trying to build trust in prospective customers. Security breaches can expose the personal data of clients and cause financial impact. Cybersecurity can safeguard your organization from cyber threats. Physical security has become an integral part of cybersecurity to protect confidential information. Let’s see how your business can make sure of it.
Protecting Valuable IT Equipment And Paper Files
Every organization has information stored physically in paper files and digitally on flash drives, hard drives, laptops, POS (point-of-sales) devices, and other IT equipment. What steps can you take to guarantee the safety of confidential information? Here are some of them:
Secure Storage
When you have information in paper files or electronic devices, keep it secure using a lock and key. Yes, you read it right. Lock the files and devices in a safe cabinet or storage room.
Restrict Access
Restrict the access of confidential information to limited people. Allowing only people with an immediate need for sensitive data can reduce the risk of leaking.
Send Reminders To Secure Data
After accessing the sensitive data, your employees must secure it. Reminders can help them lock the paper files in the cabinets or storage room. Provide instructions to log out of the network and application. Instruct your employees to never leave files or devices with sensitive information unattended.
Keep Track Of Devices
The management must have updated information regarding the devices collecting confidential information of customers and take steps to secure them. Employees must have access to the files they need. Always keep track of sensitive data and people having access to it.
Protecting Valuable IT Equipment And Paper Files
Losing the devices containing sensitive data due to accidents or burglaries can impact physical security. It increases the risk of a data breach. How can your organization avoid such scenarios? You can keep the data protected using the steps suggested below:
Use Complex Password: Employees must always use complex and unique passwords to access sensitive data. Long passwords with numbers and special characters can increase the complexity. Suggest using a password manager to keep the passwords secure from prying eyes.
Use Multi-Factor Authentication: Multi-factor authentication can keep sensitive data safe. Employees must complete additional steps after providing a username and password to access the network. It includes entering OTP sent to a phone or sharing the key inserted into the device.
Restrict Login Attempts: The network must have a limited number of incorrect logging attempts to unlock network access. It can keep sensitive data safe from intruders.
Encrypt Data: Encrypting sensitive data in all devices like thumb drives, laptops, or other portable media can prevent hacking. Also, encrypt the data you send outside the organization using an unknown Wi-Fi connection.
Include Physical Security Training For Your Employees: Cybersecurity can become successful when your organization gives importance to physical security. Your employees must know the steps to keep sensitive data safe. Your organization can achieve it with seamless communication and training. It includes the following points.
Destroy Physical Records: When you dispose of physical files with sensitive data, shred them to prevent sensitive data leaks.
Delete Data Permanently From Devices: Before discarding old computers or devices containing sensitive data, erase all data. Instead of temporary deletion, use commands permanently delete data from the devices.
Follow Security Practices: Follow all security practices while working remotely or accessing the network during business travel.
Know The Response Plan: Employees must know the steps to follow when they lose equipment or files containing sensitive data.
Small businesses may operate on a limited budget. It means the inability to access the best security procedures and tools available to big corporations. It can make the small business susceptible to frequent cyberattacks. SSquad has earned the reputation of providing customized security solutions to small businesses to keep them safe from cyber threats. We have a highly trained team focusing on all aspects of cybersecurity to prevent data loss.
