Cyber security concerns keeping you up at night? You wouldn’t be alone. Cyber crime is at an all-time high with a string of very public and high profile corporate security breaches on record from the last few years alone. The truth is that hackers are here, and they are not going away anytime soon. But that doesn’t need to cripple your productivity. Here are four ways to make sure you stay safe in the age of digital transformation.
Pay Close Attention
Probably the most important thing you can do is keep vigilant in your everyday activities. If something feels wrong, chances are that something is. Keep an eye out for the key indicators that you are being swindled online, such as unnecessary requests for information that the party should not require or should already have access to (such as login info, passwords, or your personal identifying information (known as PII). If something feels funny, ask questions and verify the credibility of the site or individual you are interacting with. Chances are if you ask enough questions of a hacker, they will move on to another easier target.
Know the Risks
Understanding the problem and learning the risks involved with digital technology is a close second when it comes to staying safe online. Keeping up to date on security threats and trends, and always implementing the industry’s latest best practices will keep you well ahead of many of the more vulnerable targets online. The bottom line is to stay educated on the evolving risks, and doing what is necessary to keep up with the fast-paced changes in security.
Invest in Your Defense
If it’s been a little too long since you’ve updated your digital security systems, you are not doing yourself any favors in prolonging the update. While security upgrades may seem costly or a waste of time, you will be sorely regretting that decision once a hacker gains access to your data or devices. The minimal upfront resources required to stay protected pale in comparison to the overall cost of a data breach or worse. Lost files, damaged software, compromised accounts, and leaked confidential information can easily cost individuals thousands and corporations millions in an effort to regain security. The bottom line is to stay on top of the issue before it becomes a real issue.
Be Smart in Your Usage
The majority of personal and work-based security breaches inevitably stem from laziness or misinformation when it comes to digital security. Poor password strategy alone has led to the large-scale breaches of Dropbox and LinkedIn within the past couple years. You would think that everyone knows the risks of using the same password across multiple accounts, or even of using easily guessed passwords, but still the issue remains. If you haven’t gotten smart about how you are accessing the internet, you only have yourself to blame in the case of a hack.
For more advice on how to protect your data in the digital age, connect with the team at Happy Faces Records Management today.
