How A Data Service Business Can Protect Customer Information

In the world of business data protection is a top priority for firms who want to prove to their customers that valuable information is safe in their hands. This is especially true for banks, government contractors, economic think tanks, military systems, etc. Whether you’re entrusted with the data of clients or customers, a data service business must have protocols in place to protect personal and top priority data. Not only do customers want to know you’re trustworthy, but they also want to know their emails, phone numbers, bank details, social media and business finances are well and truly in the bunker. There is an entire black market industry throughout the world that wants to steal as much data, from literally anyone they can for purposes of clearing bank accounts or selling it on. Therefore your business must not only have the capacity to store, update and maintain data, but to protect it tooth and nail.

Dedicated Servers

It should go without saying, but a data service company should not be relying on a third party to store data that it has been given. To save money, many small businesses will use shared servers to store their files, which is incredibly short-sighted, to say the least. It means that, technically, that data is not in your hands, you do not have direct access to it, and you’re putting trust into another business to keep it safe. You must buy the necessary hardware to start using your own servers, as this reduces the risk of being hacked.

Encrypt & Monitor

Do not have sensitive records lying around in a free-state. Unencrypted data is always at risk, as when you send or receive it, even in an internal setting, you run the risk of losing it through sporadic transfers. Cyber thieves see loose data as easy prey, so encrypt files, store and protect as soon possible. Additionally, utilize the best industry website malware protection. If a website gets hacked, it’s generally only a matter of time before you get back control. However, what tricky hackers leave behind is a parasite, that stays dormant until certain files are opened, for example, a customer’s financial details or a bank’s client list. Manage your corporate servers with state-of-the-art virus and malware protection.

Last Resort

If the worst comes to worst, you need to have a last resort option. This kind of technology also comes in hand when you’ve copied or transferred data onto other hardware; usually when you’ve bought new servers or hard disks. Something like an SSD military grade with secure erase has the ability to write and read data, as well as completely expunge any existence of data at all. No file recovery system can retrieve data that has been erased in such a fashion. If you ever get hacked, you can begin to erase customer data before it gets stolen or leave no trace of old data on your servers when switching hardware.

Segregate & Barricade

Cyber crooks aren’t satisfied with just stealing one customer’s data; they want to hop from island to island on your cloud system and servers. So, segregate your networks and data, with next-generation firewalls that also have the ability to recognize internal departments and employees as potential attackers. Rather than have one large internal warehouse of data, split it up into more manageable little houses, each with a fence around it.