Dangers Of Data Breaches For Small Businesses

Heartbleed Data Theft

Secure document shredding in Dublin and throughout the country are services needed to ensure your business is complying with Data Protection laws. These laws are in place to ensure businesses that possess sensitive data are protecting against vulnerabilities both physically and digitally.

Cyber criminals will target small businesses. In the UK the minister for the digital economy Ed Vaizey outlined (2015) that a major security breach for a small business in the UK could cost as much as £310,800. This figure also applies to Irish businesses and any small business in operation.

Dataprotection.ie have detailed descriptions on how to protect your business and improve its security. The site has guidelines to improve your business security. Researching online can be difficult because you will read conflicting reports and incorrect information. The data protection site provides you with useful and up to date information from a governing body to help improve your business security and data protection.

On the site is a guideline to improve your data security. It covers the law to software and IT support to use. With a little bit of know how and awareness to possible threats will benefit you and your business greatly.

There are 19 steps in total on the guideline page which can be read in full at data security guideline page, below are a steps from said list.

1. Install an Anti Virus Software

It is a necessity for any electronic device that transfers data. Anti Virus software protects more than just your computer, it also protects your emails and personal details when online. Malware is a big threat to computers and using a reputable ant virus will benefit.

Remember to update the anti virus software regularly as anti virus software can only protect against known viruses.

2. Firewalls

Firewalls are a essential form of protection where there is external connection. Always on internet is now a common practice for businesses. This makes a properly configured firewall a good form of security.

3. Wireless networks

When using a wireless network in your own business network make sure that proper encryption is setup on the wireless network. Be aware when using public networks such hotels and airports can potentially a risk. Use it if necessary and if you are transferring personal data make sure to be in a secure session on the device.

4. Human Factor

Is often over looked and is often used to breach a business. For example cyber criminals have accessed user accounts by using passwords such as “123456” and or “password.” Sounds crazy but happens more often than you would think. Use a more cryptic password. What the password contains will help its strength but the more characters used the greater the strength.

Also be aware of printed documents that may contain sensitive data and if not disposed properly can be accessed. Having a reputable Shredding Service dispose of your documents securely and safely.

For more information on a secure shredding visit: https://www.securityinshredding.com/  for more information.

 

What is the European Commission’s New Data Protection Framework proposal?

The European Commission announced a proposed reform to The European Union’s Data Protection Framework On the 25th of January 2012. You can read the full press release here. 

EU Data Protection, Secure Paper Shredding, Data Processor Firm

EU Data Protection

Within the announcement The Commission stated that the current framework – known as the 19995 EU Data Protection Directive is outdated. The main reasons for the framework to be outdated are due to rapid technology change and globalisation. These points are important to consider when deciding upon the best option to securely destroy your sensitive paper data through a confidential paper shredding service. Whether the service will be an onsite paper shredding service or an on-demand offsite paper shredding service it is important to ensure that your paper shredding company is a Data processor. You can see the list of registered Irish data processing firms here.

The new Data Protection framework will be a regulation which means all member states will have to abide by the rules. The rules will go into effect two years after they have been adopted by the member countries which is expected to be in 2018-2019.

Security in Shredding Team.