Safe, Updated Data Management is Essential To Business Success

As a small or mid-size business, it’s imperative that you have a consistent, thorough, and secure process for gathering, storing, and interpreting data. This is crucial to staying ahead of competitors, making informed decisions, and protecting employee and client information. Hacking is more common than ever. Data breaches exposed an astounding 22 billion records last year alone.

Cyberattacks can cause legal issues and frustrations for not only you, but also your customers and clients. If you have been putting off securing your system, you should put it to the top of your list; and even if you have gone through the process, you still need to keep regularly checking for updates and new needs.

Safeguarding Your Business Against Cybercrime

If you haven’t taken steps to secure your system, it should be a top priority. Here are a few ways to get started:

• Protect your internet connection by encrypting information and using a firewall
• Use antivirus software on company computers
• Use strong passwords for all accounts, including Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) when possible
• Keep employee information secure and accessible to only trusted individuals
• Educate employees about data security, including how to recognize phishing emails and other types of cybercrime tactics
• Ensure your employees know how to keep vendor and customer information confidential
• Frequently review your system regularly for vulnerabilities
• Update software and security programs regularly
• Prevent unauthorized individuals from accessing business accounts and devices

Data Management Tips for Today’s Technological World

The business world is full of ups and downs, but bad data can really take a toll on your company. Incomplete or unorganized records can cost you time and money. Inaccurate reports do not give insight into what’s going well with your efforts and may even steer you in the wrong direction. On the other hand, accurate information allows small businesses to make more informed decisions and direct their future course of action in a way that maximizes growth.

To keep data consistently updated, you need to have a process in place that is followed by every employee who handles customer or client information.  This process should include guidelines for collecting, storing, and accessing data. 

There are many software programs and applications available to manage data, but it can be difficult to choose the right one for your business. You need a program that is compatible with your current system, can be easily integrated into new systems, and will grow with your company. You also need to take into consideration the different types of data you collect and store. Financial data, employee records, customer information, and inventory are all different and need to be managed differently.

Call Us For Help Today

Our Naperville business law attorneys can help you ensure that your data management practices are up-to-date and compliant with all relevant laws.  Do not wait until it’s too late – contact the Gierach Law Firm today to get started.

Sources:

U.S. Small Business Administration

Risk Based Security