Computer Data Protection
With the proliferation of threats, computer data protection is essential in a business. Securing your passwords, financial, and other personal data is imperative these days. Basic security practices can help you protect personal information from being misused by unauthorized people.
Implementing data security strategies can be quite a challenge but there are different techniques and technologies that you can use. To help you secure your personal information, here are some steps that you can follow:
Implement tiered data protection
Apply multiple layers of data protection and security model to defend your files and information against any applicable threats. Having multiple layers of defense can isolate and protect your data should one of your defense perimeters get penetrated by an internal or external threat.
Install trustworthy antivirus software
One of the easiest ways to safeguard your data is by installing logical security software. Make sure to secure your networks with firewalls as well as anti spyware and virus-detection programs. By using active prevention and doing regular scans, you can reduce the threat of a data leakage through hackers or malware, and help ensure your data don’t get compromised.
All applications, databases, file systems, and server operating systems should be well-secured to prevent unauthorized or disruptive access to your stored data. Although there is no software that is flawless in deterring cyber criminals, having good security software in place will be a big help to keep your data secure.
Encrypt your data
Another method to ensure computer data protection is data encryption. In this process, data is translated into another form or code. Only authorized people with a decryption key or password can access it. Currently, encryption is one of the most effective and widely-used data security methods among organizations. The two main types of data encryption – asymmetric encryption, also known as public-key encryption, and symmetric encryption.
Create data backup
While this is a basic computer data protection tip, it is still often overlooked. Creating data backup or duplicate should be done regularly so that even if a device is lost, stolen, or compromised, you still have a copy of your important information. It is ideal to create a backup on different storage, such as an external hard drive or in the cloud. This way, you can easily recover your information when your original device becomes compromised.
Update your operating systems
Updating operating systems is a major stress for the IT department as it can be time-consuming. However, these updates contain critical security patches that will keep your computer protected from recently discovered threats. Your computer will be at risk if you fail to install updates. Having said that, it would be best if you update your operating systems regularly.
Carry out a data risk assessment
You must undergo regular risk assessments to determine any potential dangers to your organization’s data. This will help you review all the threats you identify, from an online data breach to more physical threats like power cuts. By identifying the weak points of your organization’s current data security system, you can formulate a better security strategy to remedy this and to reduce the risk of an expensive data breach.
Physical computer security
Aside from ensuring the internal aspects of computer data protection, you must not forget about the physical security of computers. It is important to store computers in secured spaces and they must be installed in such a way that theft would be impossible.
Having computer cable locks are good deterrents to theft, especially for laptops. Putting computer privacy screens should also be considered, especially in locations where members of the public have access. This is to make sure that unauthorized people will not read through any sensitive data as they pass by.
Swift Systems
Swift Systems takes pride in its reliable managed IT services. We have experienced technical experts that deliver high quality IT support. We deploy data protection policies to ensure that all your important information is handled fairly and securely. Contact Swift Systems today at 301.682.5100 to discuss your requirements!