When working in a world where technology takes precedence over everything, it is impossible to work without it. It eases your work and helps you store information for easier access. This does not skip the eyes of your competition and cyber criminals who would like to access the information and use it to their advantage or ruin your credibility. Waking up one morning and finding out that sensitive information has been leaked online or has been accessed by others is a huge blow to your business. The breach risks your business credibility. It might also lead to huge financial losses if customers and investors walk away or if the data collected is used to steal or ends up being sold to others. Once this happens, what should you do?
1) Mitigate the Losses
After a data breach, many firms despair and find it hard to recover, which forces them out of business. Clients and investors also leave when they see their information is no longer safe with you. To avoid losing it all, you need to reduce the losses the breach brings your way by taking out a data breach insurance policy. This type of insurance covers all costs that may arise due to the breach and advice on how to comply and protect yourself from future breaches. By using qualified analysts, they carry out investigations to determine the source of the breach and other sources that might pose a threat in the future. They also help you remain on the good side of those affected and the public by handling press releases and campaigns designed to address the breach.
2) Create User Awareness
When your company is at risk of a data breach, it is essential to keep those involved aware of this possibility. This ensures it does not get them off-guard as most would panic and leave. Educating them about it helps them understand how it would affect them and plans underway to prevent it from taking place in the future. This helps them put their trust in the business again. It also helps them to spot irregularities and processes that might require their help to access your system for a breach to take place.
3) Employee Scrutiny
Most information leaked to the outside world ends up having an insider helping knowingly or unknowingly. Before employing anyone to handle sensitive information, you need to screen him or her first. Carry out background information to ensure it checks out as most infiltrators share false information. Avoid sharing sensitive information with new employees until you prove they are trustworthy. Consider promoting the old employees since they may know how to handle the information they come across better.
4) Safeguard Your Information
It is crucial to protect the data even further after a breach to avoid further breaches. You can get safer systems with better protection policies and security measures. Also, keep sensitive information away from lurking eyes by accessing them from your personal spaces. Set several approval levels when someone wants to obtain information to avoid one person having complete access. Avoid automatic logins as anyone who accesses your devices can easily access them. Finally, have a backup system to ensure you do not lose any information after a breach.
