5 tips to prevent unauthorized access to your business data

In this technology-driven world, businesses of all scales are thriving more than ever imagined. While technology has made personal and professional life so much easier, it has also opened us to threats, especially when it comes to the security of business data.

Every year, millions of businesses deal with data security issues in one way or another. Even if you have never dealt with such issues before, such news being shared every day can make you concerned for the safety of your business data.

If you are looking for ways to prevent unauthorized access to your business data, here are some tips that can help.

Use a PDF format

There are several different formats that can help you create, save, and share different files. All of these formats have their own pros and cons. Successful businesses agree that they prefer dealing with PDF files because of their added security features.

Firstly, tools such as Sodapdf make it much easier to convert any file to PDF. Once converted, you can password-protect and encrypt your files to prevent unauthorized editing, copying, or printing and ensure the safety of your business data.

(Image credit) Go paperless

There is no better time to go paperless. You can start today to create a change. By going paperless as a business, you will not only be helping your environment but also effectively protect your data from ending in the wrong hands.

When you reduce paper usage for documents, the chances of it being lost or damaged also reduce instantly. In addition, you will not need a physical space for storage and you will also save on the overwhelming printing costs.

Train your employees

You may be surprised to know that most businesses deal with data security issues due to the negligence of their employees. Even the best employees can make mistakes that may risk the security of your business data.

While you can never reduce the chances of unfortunate accidents to zero, you can definitely reduce the number of these incidents by training your employees. Training on password security, email security, and safe file-sharing practices can strengthen your defense against document loss or theft.

Strengthen your passwords

Passwords are the most basic yet the most powerful way of protecting your business data. The importance of a strong password should never be undermined.

You can create a strong password for your files and online storage platforms by using a combination of upper and lower-case letters, numbers, and special characters. Make sure that it is not a predictable password, such as your name, birthday, or pet’s name.

In addition, make sure to change your password at least once every six months to ensure maximum security of your data.

Create data backup

Unfortunate accidents such as hardware failures, natural disasters, or cyber-attacks are not uncommon. These accidents can happen even if you are cautious. To avoid the loss of all your precious data, you will need to create a data backup.

There are several ways to backup your data. You can choose the one that suits your business needs the best.

Featured image credit: Myriam Jessier/Unsplash