More and more, today’s businesses are exposed to risk – but lately, data breaches have increased in number and have become extremel difficult to prevent.
Of course, technology clearly plays a huge role in defending your data, but there are other preventative measures you can take - all you have to do is focus on your employees.
The Ponemon Institute 2011 Cost of Data Breach Study found that the majority of breaches in 2010 were made by employees, with negligent insiders (39%) and malicious attacks (37%) while system glitches only accounted for 24% of the breaches made.
Focus protection efforts on your employees by using the following as a guide:
- Screen Thoroughly. References and background checks are a must – especially for those employees with access to sensitive data.
- Require Commitment. Employees should agree to sign a confidentiality agreement and follow standard security requirements.
- Train Them Well. Well-trained and motivated employees are your best defense and reinforcement of their training should occur regularly.
- Limit Data Access. Ensure you only give access to those employees with “need-to-know” roles. Whenever responsibilities shift, system passwords and physical keys must be changed.
- Keep Tabs. Be sure to keep an inventory of all sensitive information on computers, external disks and flash drives and mobile phones, as well as printers and fax machines.
Ultimately, there is no such thing as having a "breach-proof" business. With enough time, tools and talent, any barrier can be breached. Make sure your business is protected – speak to an experienced insurance agent to ensure you have the coverage you need.
