Data security compliance ensures that business networks adhere to safety standards. Learn how to protect your company's data by following those guidelines.
There's a busy office, popping with productivity until an ominous email arrives. It's not from a colleague or a client, but a hacker, boasting access to sensitive information that should have been safeguarded.
As businesses navigate the maze of regulations, a single misstep can lead to catastrophic consequences. Luckily, we can help. Let's go through the top data security compliance mistakes to avoid.
Ignorance of relevant data security regulations, such as GDPR, HIPAA, CCPA, or industry-specific standards like PCI DSS, can lead to non-compliance. IT outsourcing can help you ensure you're complying with all of these regulations.
Neglecting to encrypt sensitive data both in transit and at rest boosts the risk of data breaches. Proper encryption measures should be implemented according to industry standards and best practices.
Not having well-defined incident response procedures in place to address security breaches quickly can exacerbate the impact of data breaches. In turn, that can cause non-compliance with regulatory requirements.
Allowing users to create weak passwords that are easy to guess or crack undermines security. Common weak passwords include simple phrases, dictionary words, or default passwords.
Not implementing MFA alongside passwords leaves accounts vulnerable to unauthorized access. MFA adds more security by requiring users to give extra authentication factors. For example, MFA could include code sent to their mobile device.
Allowing users to share passwords or using shared credentials for accessing sensitive systems or data increases the risk of unauthorized access and compromises accountability.
Endpoints are often targets for cyberattacks. Endpoints include laptops, desktops, mobile devices, and servers.
Failing to install and maintain endpoint protection software exposes devices to various cyber threats. These include antivirus, anti-malware, and firewall solutions.
Allowing insecure remote access to endpoints without proper authentication and encryption mechanisms increases the risk of unauthorized access and data breaches.
Failing to establish and maintain a regular backup schedule leaves data vulnerable to loss in the event of system failures, cyberattacks, or accidental deletions. Cloud backups can make your life a lot easier.
Not establishing clear backup retention policies leads to the accumulation of unnecessary data backups. That increases storage costs. It can also complicate data recovery efforts. Not monitoring file backup software processes and storage systems for errors or anomalies is another issue. It can lead to undetected backup failures or data corruption issues.
Failing to establish ongoing security awareness programs leaves employees uninformed about the latest security threats, best practices, and compliance requirements. Not customizing training programs to address the specific security responsibilities and risks associated with different job roles within the organization undermines the effectiveness of training efforts.
Failing to educate employees on social engineering tactics leaves them vulnerable to manipulation by attackers. These techniques include pretexting, baiting, and tailgating.
Now that you know these data security compliance mistakes, you'll be able to keep your data safer.
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