How to Prevent a Data Breach in Your Business
The most recent numbers about the Target data breach show that as many as 110 million people could have been affected, which means that the bank accounts and personal information for all those consumers has been compromised. Many small business owners think that data breaches only impact large businesses, but the truth is that anyone can be a victim. Here are some simple solutions for your business that can help ensure your customers’ security when you accept credit card payments or record customer data.
Restrict Employee Access to Sensitive Information
Internal theft and dishonesty is a reality for any business owner, and as much as you want to trust your employees, you should be sure that you only allow access to customer data to a select group of employees. This means keeping passwords for computers secure and locking any file cabinets that hold sensitive information in your office.
Look for Ways to Upgrade Security Systems
Installing virus protection on office computers and POS systems is a first step toward ensuring the security of sensitive information. You may also want to consider changing passwords on computers every two weeks as an added precaution. Data encryption is also a key component for data security, so make sure that each piece of proprietary information and consumer data is protected.
It is estimated that in 2011 alone, more than 400 data breaches were reported for companies with 11 to 100 employees. The percentage of data breaches for small businesses was significantly higher than that of larger companies, which means smaller companies are more vulnerable than ever. Make sure you protect your customers whenever you accept credit card payments at your business.
