Protecting your data

As cyber threats become increasingly more sophisticated, it is crucial that all organisations place security at the heart of their business, regarding it as a value item – integral to maintaining business success and continuity.

By Mark Edwards, operations director, Seriun

It is too late if a cyber attack leaves your data compromised, resulting in irreparable damage to your reputation along with potential financial and legal liability.

We are on a mission to ensure all businesses get Cyber Essentials certified as a bare minimum. You need to ensure cyber security fundamentals are in place.

Firstly, complex passwords need to be enabled across the whole team. We cannot stress how important this is in helping prevent fraudulent access to your systems, and it is the first port of call in cyber security.

Secondly, you must locate and cleanse your data, then implement encryption across all forms and levels, both at rest and in transit – so if there is a breach and data is stolen it will be unusable.

Thirdly, implement Data Loss Protection (DLP) and manage user access rights – so that the right people have access to the right information. You should also ensure your team are trained in security breach prevention and recognising phishing attacks. Even with the best security in place, your team could be the gateway for an attack to infiltrate your business.

Finally, make sure a written security policy is in place and adhered to. Ideally you should partner with a professional Managed Security Service Provider (MSSP) who can provide the end-to-end solution your business needs.