Renfrewshire Leisure becomes OneRen
January 18, 202210 Tips for Protecting Your Paisley Business Against a Commercial Dispute
January 18, 2022If you’re a Paisley business owner, one of the last things you will want to deal with is the fallout of a data breach. So, what steps can you take to ensure you keep the data you store secure?
If you spend your days running, or working for, a business in Paisley, you’ll no doubt have plenty on your plate as it is – especially with the current economic climate being as uncertain as it is!
But, no matter how busy you might be, it is absolutely essential that you always stay on top of your data security obligations. Regardless of the sort of industry your business in Paisley operates in, you must take every possible step to reduce the potential for a data breach, or you run the risk of facing heavy financial and reputational penalties.
Below, we discuss some simple tips your Paisley business should consider to prevent needless data breaches. Be sure to read on below to find out more…
8 Tips to Ensure Your Paisley Business Avoids a Data Breach
Install Up-to-Date Antivirus Software
First things first, your Paisley business is going to need to have up-to-date antivirus software installed on all of the systems you use. That’s especially true if you’re handling sensitive personal data on digital devices, as this can be quickly exploited by cyber-criminals who know what they’re doing.
If you have antivirus software installed – great! The next step is to ensure that is has been recently updated. Most antivirus softwares update automatically, but it is always worth checking for a manual update. This can remove the potential for any potential weaknesses from compromising the security of the data you store.
Conduct Regular Risk Assessments
If you want your business to be well protected when it comes to data security, then it’s vital that you conduct regular risk assessments. This is particularly important if you’re a business that conducts at least some of its operations remotely – the chances of a data breach increase significantly when employees are working from home.
It’s good practice to carry out risk assessments on a weekly or monthly basis, scanning the security controls that are currently in place and identifying any potential weaknesses. If you can spot a potential weakness at an early stage, you can rectify it before it comes an issue for your business, your employees, or your customers in Paisley.
Invest in Staff Training
It’s a fact that the majority of data breaches are caused by human error. This means that one of the best ways of reducing the risk of a data breach occurring is to train and educate your employees so that they’re fully aware of their responsibilities when it comes to data security.
Regular and effective training will provide your employees with the tools and skills to identify immediate security issues. It may also provide a more general shift in work culture that ensures everyone puts safety and privacy first.
Have a Clear Policy in Place
Alongside frequent training sessions, it is also essential that you have a clear and concise data protection policy that covers all of the practices, processes and procedures your Paisley business is required to follow to keep data secure.
If you are unfamiliar with data security policies, you may soon find that there are plenty of templates available online. However, while these may be very convenient, they are unlikely to be suited to your specific circumstances. It’s a good idea to speak to a data security expert who can support you in drafting a policy from scratch, hitting all the relevant points where necessary.
Understand What Your Legal Obligations Are
Do you know what you legal obligations are in reference to data security? It’s understandable if you don’t – it can be very confusing! But, it’s important that you do get to grips with the legal aspect of data security, as it can prevent any potential issues before they even appear on your radar.
Depending on the industry your Paisley business operates in, and the type of data you have stored, there are various different data security laws that you’ll be forced to follow. Data security laws also vary from country to country, so rules may apply differently to Scottish businesses when compared to English businesses.
Automate as Many Processes as You Can
We mentioned earlier that human error is frequently the cause of data breaches. So, why not remove the possibility of human error altogether? At least, wherever you can.
Automating processes isn’t as complicated as you might think either. It could be as simple as implementing forward filtering on certain inbound emails, or installing technology that requires employees to change their passwords periodically.
Encrypt and Authorise
If your Paisley business handles private data, then you’ll need to consider encryption. Encryption helps to protect sensitive data, meaning certain documents can only be accessed with the associated key.
It’s also a good idea to install user authorisation on the devices your employees use. This means that they only have access to the files and documents that are necessary for them to complete their jobs. For example, you could install systems which log users out who have been inactive for a certain period of time.
Have a Response Plan in Place
Sometimes, no matter how careful you have been, or how many protection measures you have put in place, something could go wrong. That’s why you should have a detailed response plan in place so that, in the event your Paisley business does suffer a data breach, you know exactly what steps to take.
If you can respond quickly and efficiently to a data breach, this can make all the difference when it comes to managing the potential consequences and fallout.
Ready to Protect Your Paisley Business from a Data Breach?
As you can see, there are plenty of ways you can protect your customer data. That said, these are only the beginning, so seeking expert advice on the topic should be your next step.
Hiring an in-house data expert may be a good start if you’re a bigger business. However, if you’re tight for cash, outsourcing this every so often might be your next port of call.
