19 Mar Tips for Preventing Data Breaches
Data breaches can harm your business. They can cost you money, client trust and more. If you are not sure what a data breach is, it when someone breaks through your business defences and steals your business information. This can be names, emails, credentials, client data, credit card numbers and more. It’s bad for your customers and your business. It is critical to try to prevent them from occurring in the first place.
Here are some tips to help keep your data safe:
Use strong passwords: Use long, complex passwords that are hard to guess. Include letters, numbers, and symbols. Do not use the same password for all of your accounts. You should also keep your passwords in a password manager or vault. This will help encrypt your passwords, generate complex passwords and provide a crucial layer of security.
Update your software: Always update your computer programs. Updates usually patch security holes. Make sure your IT provider is not only patching Microsoft applications, but all applications and infrastructure.
Train your employees: Educate your employees on data security. Teach them how to identify fake emails. Inform them to not click on suspicious links. Ask your IT provider about Cyber Security Training and Phishing testing. Your weakest link is your employees.
Use DLP: Data Leak Protection (DLP) is essential for all business using M365 SharePoint. This basically encrypts your data and allows only people who are part of your organisation access to read it. Use security labels to also lock down libraries and folders for staff in different departments. This is also needed to any business considering M365 Copilot.
Create backups of your data: Use a third party to backup all your M365 data, or a cloud backup solution for your servers. Insist your IT provider tests and restores your business data regularly – this way you know it works and can be restored if ever needed.
Use a firewall: A firewall acts like a security guard for your network. It blocks the bad things from getting inside. Make sure your IT provider supplies you with a business grade firewall and make sure they configure the security policies.
Be careful with emails: Almost every data breach starts with a trick email. Don’t open emails from people you don’t know. Never click on links unless you are sure that they are safe. Make sure you are talking to your IT provider about cyber security training and phishing testing.
Protect your Wi-Fi: Use a strong password on your Wi-Fi. Do not leave the default password on. Update your Wi-Fi password frequently.
Have a plan: Prepare a plan if, in case of a data breach. Know whom to contact and what you should do. Do a practice drill so you are ready if there is an intrusion. Even with good plans, data breaches can still happen.
If one does, take action quickly. Inform your IT provider immediately – even if you are not sure. Fix the problem that led to the breach. Then, use what you learned from that mistake to make your security better.
Where to start to prevent data breaches
Protecting against data breaches requires a multi-layered approach that combines various tools and strategies. Firewalls, encryption tools, IDPS, endpoint security solutions, DLP tools, access control, vulnerability management tools, cloud security solutions, and backup and disaster recovery tools all play vital roles in ensuring data security. By leveraging these tools, organisations can reduce the risk of data breaches and safeguard their sensitive information in an increasingly complex digital landscape.
With 28 years in the industry, TCT can help secure your business, providing expert guidance and robust solutions tailored to your specific needs.
Robert Brown
19/03/2025
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