San Diego Tech Support Is your Strategic Partner in Preventing a Data Breach

Today, virtually all businesses collect and store personal information about customers, employees, and others. The frequency of data breaches — the theft, loss or mistaken release of private information — is on the rise. And it’s not just a big business problem. Small and mid-sized businesses with fewer data security resources are particularly vulnerable.

All Businesses need to Safeguard their Data. Here are some helpful tips:

  1. Keep Only What You Need, delete the rest: Inventory the type and quantity of information in your files and on your computers. Reduce the volume of information you collect and retain only what is necessary. Don’t collect or keep information you don’t absolutely need. Minimize the number of places you store personal private data. Know what you keep and where you keep it.
  2. Safeguard Data:  Lock physical records containing private information in a secure location. Restrict access to that information to only those employees who must have access. Conduct employee background checks. Never give temporary workers or vendors access to personal information on employees or customers.
  3. Use an Intelligent Firewall: Using an Enterprise Class Threat Management Device, with intelligent threat detection will help a large deal in keeping your network safe.
  4. Monitor your Traffic:  Use advanced applications to monitor network traffic for suspicious behavior or traffic anomalies.
  5. Update Procedures. Do not use Social Security numbers as employee ID or client account numbers. If you do so, develop another ID system immediately.
  6. Educate/Train Employees. Establish a written policy about privacy and data security and communicate it to all employees. Require employees to put away files, log off their computers and lock their offices/filing cabinets at the end of the day. Educate employees about what types of information are sensitive or confidential and what their responsibilities are to protect that data.
  7. Control Computer Usage. Restrict employee usage of computers to business use. Don’t permit employees to use file sharing peer-to-peer websites or software applications, block access to inappropriate websites and prohibit use of unapproved software on company computers.
  8. Secure All Computers. Implement password protection and ‘time-out’ functions (requires re-login after periods of inactivity) for all computers. Train employees to never leave laptops or PDAs unattended. Restrict telecommuting to company owned computers. Require the use of strong passwords that must be changed on a regular basis. Don’t store personal information on a computer connected to the Internet unless it is essential for conducting business.
  9. Keep Software Up-To-Date. Keep security patches for your computers up-to-date. Check your software vendors’ websites for any updates concerning vulnerabilities and associated patches.  Also, collect cybersecurity related information from Software vendors.  Applications can be an attack vector.
  10. Use Encryption When Possible. Mandate encryption when possible. This includes data ‘at rest’ and ‘in motion’. Also consider encrypting email within your company if personal information is transmitted.
  11. Manage Use of Portable Media. Portable media, such as DVDs, CDs and USB “flash drives,” are more susceptible to loss or theft. This can also include smartphones, MP3 players and other personal electronic devices with a hard drive that ‘syncs’ with a computer. Allow only encrypted data to be downloaded to portable storage devices.

A Data Security Solution Tailored To Your BUSINESS:

Our team will tailor an agreement to fit your needs. That is the kind of satisfaction many businesses in Manhattan and across New Jersey have enjoyed since 2009.  Please Allow us to show you how we can implement Enterprise Class Cybersecurity Posture into your existing computer network.   Most importantly, WE DO IT THE RIGHT WAY! 

Give RCS a call at (973)343-5479 or submit a request on the sidebar.