Data Safety Instructions

Protecting your data can help reduce the threat of cyber attacks that can impact your business or personal reputation. It is crucial to know and follow the most effective practices when it comes to safeguarding sensitive information. A breach of your private information can result in fines and lawsuits that may have long-term consequences for you or your organization.

Password protection for all devices and files – This simple step can prevent hackers from gaining access information. Use strong passwords that are complex combinations of numbers, letters and symbols. Change default passwords from vendors to stronger ones as soon as possible. Regularly update your anti-virus program and run a security scan on your server and computer.

Don’t send confidential or personal identifying information via email – This includes Social Security numbers, bank account information passwords, passwords, etc. Email is not secure and could be accessed by unfriendly parties.

Secure your network and data Use strong encryption to safeguard your computers, laptops and portable storage devices. This will allow you send information to third parties safely and to protect information on the devices. It is also vital to plan out a strategy to react to a cyber-attack that includes who you will notify and what you’ll do (e.g. employees or customers, credit bureaus).

Make sure you have a backup of all your data Keep offline copies of the most important data in different places from where the primary copies are stored. This will stop attackers from gaining unauthorized access to your primary copy, or from deleting it.

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