5 things to ensure data security in a Digital Workplace
In this new normal post Covid-19 world. Your workspace is virtual: you work from wherever you want, using whatever equipment you need, whenever and for however long it suits you. You make use of AI assistants to help organize your time, find information and communicate with your colleagues. You access company info using convenient mobile apps on lightweight devices that are constantly connected to the internet. You know what your boss is doing on weekdays after 9pm because you chat with them virtually every evening. You don’t even think about encryption, firewalls or post-its anymore.
Sounds great? Of course. But it doesn’t come without risks that need to be managed to keep your company and you safe. Your work is far more exposed to risk in the digital workplace than it used to be, and so are you as an individual.
Unfortunately, many companies aren’t prepared for this new reality yet.
Recent reports suggest that cyber security spending across all industries globally will reach $185 billion by 2022, whereas 90% of the world’s data was created in the last two years alone from 2019 till date. In this new world order, it’s extremely difficult to keep your company safe.
Despite the risks, companies will continue to work more and more virtually. This is driven by a desire for increased agility and productivity from employees. Just as most people no longer work 9-5 in an office, they won’t work the same hours from a home office either.
However, working virtually creates new risks which most companies are not prepared for yet. Cyber criminals will take advantage of this; some experts even predict that cyber-attacks on virtual workplaces could increase 1000% over the next 10 years.
Here are the 5 things organizations should be doing to ensure data and information security in the digital age.
Developing a comprehensive data management policy- In order to describe a tight procedure for managing vital information an organization has to correctly separate sensitive from non-sensitive data. Corporate data can be categorized as public, private and restricted, with corresponding security measures being implemented.
Encryption of protective data- For all businesses, regardless of whether SMBs or large companies, it is vital at present to secure data within the corporate network. In order to avoid unauthorized access to your data at rest, different security precautions are taken, and the protection of the data in motion requires an equivalent level of safety. Since all kinds of individuals and apps access critical data in motion, they must be encrypted for safe networking.
Ensuring password security- While implementing various network security devices, organizations frequently overlook simple information security errors. Employees frequently use weak passwords to secure data on their systems, putting them open to hostile assaults. As a result, it is critical to strengthen password security procedures by providing staff with increased security training. Businesses might also profit from the use of a password management tool.
Executing Two-Step Verification- Organizations should take precautions to protect their users’ business accounts against compromise. Enabling two-step verification is a simple action that provides a company with an additional protective layer and enhances its overall safety stance.
Data breach prevention- Infringement of data is inevitable. If those assaults are successful and data is affected, the organization might incur substantial fines, depending on the security mandates. Thus, a robust recovery strategy for violations will limit the harm caused by the breach of data.
Cybersecurity is a shared and collective responsibility with which we should all be concerned. There will never be a time when any users can simply rest and assume that their cybersecurity concerns are addressed. Users should always be on the lookout for threats, proactive about protecting themselves and their devices, and wise in selecting tools best suited to increase their own security.
