Dorks Delivered Blog

7 Fundamental Steps to Protect Your Valuable Data

Steps to Data Loss Prevention

A Progressive Approach to Data Loss PreventionSteps to Data Loss Prevention

It’s not only large Australian enterprises that should worry about data loss prevention. Even SMBs become a target of hackers worldwide. Additionally, data theft is a bigger problem now more than ever, so data loss prevention should be a major concern of everyone. If you own or run a business in Brisbane or other parts of Queensland, make sure you have a data loss prevention plan. Here are the steps to ensure that your business information is secure and you have a backup.

1. Categorise: What Are the Data You Can’t Lose?

Your data can be classified based on the storage, source application and users who create or access them. Categorising your data makes them easy to prioritise and track. It also helps you determine which data are mobile and at risk.

2. Analyse: Which of Your Data Are at Risk?

Operations vary, and this is one of the reasons that there is no single formula to determine which data are at risk more than others. The level of risk varies from one business to another. For example, in one enterprise, the data shared with business partners and customers are at risk while there are organisations that will find the risk is due to internal security and encryption systems. To have an effective data loss prevention strategy, you need to analyse your current IT system carefully. Schedule an IT system audit and have experienced IT professionals look into your system. 

3. Prioritise: Which Data Are the Most Important?

Not all of your data have an equal level of importance, so you need to determine which is more important than others. Most businesses would want to protect or retrieve their intellectual property and real time data, which is why it’s usually the top priority in data loss prevention programs. Real time data Organisations in the healthcare industry mainly put their patient records on top priority, while companies in the financial industry normally prioritise their data related to payment card industry (PCI) compliance. This step will be easier if you complete the first step: categorise your data.

4. Monitor: Look at the Data Movement

It’s also important to determine and understand how data are used. This information will help you identify not only the data of critical importance but also the data that are at risk of data loss. While data movement doesn’t always mean data loss, how data are used and transferred or shared may increase the risk of data loss, which is something you must consider when creating a data loss prevention plan.

5. Control: Reduce the Risk

Once you already know how data are put at risk, you can now set up controls to reduce the risk. This is a basic way to prevent data loss, but it is the foundation of better methods to prevent bigger risks. You should install a firewall and antivirus software to deter cyber attacks done by spamming and phishing.

As a second line of defence, we highly recommend that you not only backup your files regularly but also test your backups every now and then to make sure that they can be restored if needed. It’s also important to have a backup copy offsite to protect your files from fire and natural disasters. Cloud backup is an option, but keep in mind that you need an Internet connection, which might not be available after a fire or flood, to retrieve your cloud backup. Contact us to learn more about information security solutions for any business size.

Watch: What You Need to Know About Backup

6. Inform: Tell Your Employees

Complement your infrastructure-centred approach to cybersecurity with a human-centred approach. No matter how much you spend on information security systems, the users or your employees might put your data at risk inadvertently so it’s great to conduct information security training to keep them informed. They must know how they can help prevent accidental data loss. Through data security orientations, you can educate your employees on how certain actions can put confidential information or critical files at risk. Some organisations opt to set up a prompt whenever employees are trying to do something that may violate the company’s policy on data use.

7. Don’t Stop: It’s an Ongoing Process

Data loss prevention is an ongoing process. You’ll find that it’s easy to implement and it can be done with minimal disruption to your business operations, and if you can do that properly, you can proceed to expand your efforts.

Pay attention to your systems and update them as soon as you can. Hackers use vulnerabilities to access and exploit computers and networks but companies like Microsoft release security patches to protect users. Be sure to apply updates as soon as they become available.

Learn How to Avoid Business Data Loss

The Final Word

Organisations can take a progressive approach to data loss prevention. Take the fundamental steps to protect your data. Understand your data. Categorise, analyse and prioritise them so that you know which data are the most important and which ones are at risk the most. Set up controls, backup your files online and offsite and allot time to test your backup files. Involve everyone in your organisation’s information security efforts and don’t stop there. Update your systems and expand your data loss prevention program.


 [module-379]

Share the Post:

Subscribe to our Newsletter

Subscribe to our newsletter for regular IT news, tips, tricks, jokes, podcasts and other interesting stuff. It’s a hoot!

We take your privacy very seriously solemnly promise not to SPAM you.

Related Posts

5.0
Based on 51 reviews
powered by Google
Kennard
02:22 28 Nov 24
I am very Satisfied with the services provided by Dorks; the teams are highly responsive and supportive.
Eleanor Swanepoel
08:38 19 Nov 24
The Dorks got me into my system after it was locked out and the device destined for landfill. Having worked with the Dorks team for 4 years, I have always found them responsive, helpful and diligent. Thoroughly recommend!
Trent Marshall
03:33 15 Nov 24
Josh and the entire Dorks team could not be any more professional, helpful, friendly and knowledgeable if they tried. Time and time again they were patient and went above and beyond to resolve numerous complicated IT issues for myself and my team, at all hours of the day and night. I recommend them to all size and scale of businesses, as no problem is too large for the Dorks! Thanks again Josh and I wish you and the team every success in work and in life.
Meg Dennis
21:27 08 Nov 24
There are very few organisations that have a service culture of going above and beyond. Josh Lewis, Dorks founder did that this week with myself and several peers, helping us through a difficult IT situation. Dorks Managed IT Services are relationship grounded, solution oriented and outcomes based. They are outstanding in their sector.
Meenakshi Vivek
06:46 08 Nov 24
I had the pleasure of speaking with Joshua from Dorks on an IT issue outside of their scope, and I couldn't be more impressed. He went above and beyond to not only resolve my problem quickly on late Friday afternoon but also was very friendly and supportive. His dedication to ensuring everything was working perfectly, truly stood out. Highly recommend Joshua Lewis @Dorks for anyone needing reliable and expert IT assistance!Thank you so much Josh!
Mark Mathews
02:16 15 Aug 24
I've been a client of Dorks Delivered for many years and for good reason! They are so easy to deal with, value for money, host and manage my website, provide office software at discounted rates, easily fix website issues etc. A seamless and easy IT company to deal and communicate with that I highly recommend for all your IT needs.
john aguiflor
03:59 05 Dec 23
Definitely a dream work place!
The Irrigation Shop
02:52 28 Nov 23
These Dorks are fantastic. Always ready to solve any problem we have. Cyber-security, hardware, even tips on marketing. Josh is always approachable and friendly, and the team are top-notch!
Rob Swanson
21:25 27 Nov 23
Dorks has helped get our company IT needs on track and streamlined. They are easily contactable when problems occur and are quick to get you back up and running!
Rimas Veselis
16:55 27 Nov 23
Always extremely helpful!
Mark Ong
02:00 27 Nov 23
The best organisation I've work with so far. All staff are hands-on and they will understand your business in order to support you the best way possible. They are the partners you need for any kind of tech solutions. I love that they are open to two-way feedback and will let you know if something is realistic or not and what is the best solution to move forward given the circumstances. It is no surprise that they come highly recommended for me.
Ben Rayner
01:28 27 Nov 23
Very happy to recommend Dorks Delivered with Teck support etc, we worked together for over 10 years and have all issues resolved promptly.Thanks Team Dorks
Tim Nelson
01:04 20 Nov 23
A refreshing company to manage my IT requirements. Over and above service, and always coming to me with new ideas and concepts
Louise Bedford
03:10 28 Aug 23
Joshua Lewis is a super star. Generous of spirit, skilled as an interviewer, and gifted with the ability to see exactly what people need - I'm sure you'll enjoy dealing with Dorks Delivered.
Dave Abbot
09:08 09 Aug 23
Absolute guns in the industry. Trustworthy reliable and brutally honest.
Tanner Anderson
07:24 04 Aug 23
Working with the team at Dorks is always a pleasure!
Bryan Nillos
00:21 03 Aug 23
Great place and great people to work with. The best MSP, value for money!
Kubrador
04:28 02 Aug 23
I strongly endorse Dorks Delivered for their outstanding Managed IT Services! With a proactive and reliable team, they provide round-the-clock support and top-notch cybersecurity, making them an invaluable partner for achieving business success.
Mark Pope
05:26 06 Jul 23
Definitely talk to Josh Lewis and the Dorks about your managed IT needs. Apart from being smart and having a great team, I have found him to be genuinely concerned about his clients, coming up with the best advice that suits their needs.
Cameron Quin
03:52 05 Jul 23
Honestly, our business wouldn't survive without them. Josh and his team just know everything and I have peace of mind when it comes to the uptime. Of my business. And they give awesome little freebies!!
Adrian Peterson
23:49 25 Apr 23
We recently transferred our I.T. needs to Dorks Delivered and they have been fantastic. The response times, ease of accessibility to them and their understanding of our needs have been brilliant. It's been a complete 180 degree shift from our previous vendor Mercury I.T. We are so pleased with the change and would happily recommend Dorks Delivered to other businesses.
js_loader

Give our IT support team a try...for FREE!

Your first IT support task is FREE (Normally $199) – Yep, absolutely free (up to 4 hours)! Experience how our team can help your business today.

Click here or ring 07 3166 5465 to claim your FREE IT Support Task!

Want to rub shoulders with the greats? We work with the best…