While we are undoubtedly fortunate to live in technologically advanced times, this also brings challenges in terms of online security and safety. To understand these further, we need only look at the publication of recent data breaches involving the Office of Personnel Management and the Internal Revenue Service, which highlighted exactly how vulnerable organisations become when they share data either externally or internally.

For firms that are required to share or store data, it is therefore imperative that there is a clear focus on creating secure, online network.

How to Prevent Data Loss and Secure your network in 3 easy steps

With this in mind, what practical steps can be taken to safeguard your network and prevent data loss? Consider the following: –

Use Data loss Solutions that protect every aspect of your Business

To begin with, it is important that you invest in proactive data loss solutions for your business venture. These solutions help to identify potential vulnerabilities in an IT infrastructure and its end points, while also providing an insight into consumer and employee behaviour. Once these issues have been identified, they can be addressed with tailored and customised solutions that provide optimal protection. This is crucial to the growth of your business, especially in an age where cyber-crime becomes increasingly prevalent and sophisticated.

Invest in Mobile Device Management

Mobile device management is an increasingly important aspect of your network, as people continue to work remotely and across laptops, tablets and mobiles. This has been recognised by the new Windows 10 platform, which has integrated a Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) feature and created the potential for more flexible working. You will therefore need advanced software and a secure infrastructure to protect the integrity of these devices, so it is important that you liaise with reputable service provider.

Enforce Strong content-aware Policies

While the focus on security and safety is crucial, it is important not to protect your infrastructure at the expense of business productivity. You must guarantee a viable flow of data at all times, and the development of a strong content-aware data policy is central to this. To achieve this, create fixed policies that are able to effectively manage data transfers, stablishing detailed criteria surrounding user authorisation, end points, file extension types and permissions. Rather than arbitrarily blocking data transfers, this will treat each application on its own individual merits and enables a greater flow of information.

Use VPN

VPN – Virtual Private Networks – helps you in securing your computer’s internet connection in such a way that all the data you send and receive is encrypted.  No more eavesdropping! VPN’s role in securing your network is underrated.  Why? Because it’s an affordable solution, yet very effective in keeping your data hidden from the prying eyes.

There are widely available free VPNs.  However, if you want more protecti0on, there are premium VPNs available at affordable rates.

Takeaway

Data protection is all about taking action: Businesses are typically taking extra measure when it’s too late.  The better way to secure your business is by treating your data protection regime as a prevention, not a cure.