SMBs need to prioritize data security and privacy throughout their operations, but the type of security will depend heavily on the nature of that data. Some of the variables include the specific types of services offered, industry regulations, and the types of transactions accepted. Here are some of those types of data and how they should secure that data.
Customer Data
One of the worst mistakes a business can make is being too casual with customer data. This data might include names, addresses, phone numbers, and emails, all of which should be kept safe and secure. Of course, you also need to keep customer payment information secure, like credit card details.
Employee Information
You also need to keep employee data safe, including such details as contact information and Social Security numbers. You should be giving just as much care to employee data as you would to your customer data, as you could otherwise expose payroll information, bank account details, and financial information, too.
Financial Data
You should be aware of other financial details as they pertain to security, including income tax documents, balance sheets, other tax records, and so on. In fact, there might be legal ramifications if you expose financial information and transaction records to potential security risks.
IP and Legal Documents
Intellectual property, like your products and services, is what allows your business to flourish and grow. You cannot let this information fall into the hands of criminals or, even worse, your competitors. Furthermore, any contracts or agreements you have should also be kept secure, as significant issues could result from their exposure.
Your Website and Online Accounts
Any information related to your website, like customer login information or data collected through forms, should be kept safe. Unfortunately, the nature of websites and online data collection makes this a big task, but it’s important nonetheless.
Safety and Health Records
Hackers and scammers are more than happy to take full advantage of any health records that are not kept safe. Make sure you do your part to protect them.
IT Details
Your technology contains quite a lot of sensitive information, something that you might not be aware of until it’s too late. Hackers can glean all kinds of insights from your technology infrastructure, whether it’s access credentials, network configurations, or other information about your devices.
Important security and business continuity solutions like encryption, access control, backups, employee training, and so on can all help you navigate the tricky realms of data security and compliance laws such as GDPR, HIPAA, and so on. You can conduct security assessments to ensure your business is always compliant.
Compudata can help your business with these important tasks. To learn more, call us at 1-855-405-8889.