How to Prevent a Data Breach

Category: Technology

As Attacks Increase, Businesses Can Protect Themselves We all share an incredible amount of personal information on the Internet. And no matter how safe we try to be when we save passwords, enter bank details, and shop online, the risk of a data breach remains. In April 2021 alone, hundreds of different cyberattacks affected thousands of businesses worldwide—potentially compromising the information of millions of people. Hackers exploited a flaw in the widely used Microsoft Exchange Server application and accessed the inboxes and calendars of employees at 30,000 businesses. Hundreds of thousands of international airline travelers had their names, birthdates, and frequent flier numbers stolen. Phishing emails tricked employees at two health care companies in Texas and Washington into giving hackers access to protected health information (PHI). And contractors working for the Pennsylvania Department of Health on COVID-19 contact tracing shared sensitive patient data on unprotected Google accounts. The takeaway, sadly, is that a data breach can happen to any business, of any size, in any industry, in any location. But proactive preparation and true cybersecurity protection are possible—especially with the help of a trusted IT provider. How Can I Keep My Business Safe? The first step is to understand your company’s data security situation. An initial assessment can identify the methods and locations of data backups, scan systems for vulnerabilities, and enhance protections so that the chances of a data breach decrease. A variety of tools may contribute to that goal: Automated software update and security patch rollouts. These keep devices safe without disrupting the work of employees. Multi-layered network analysis tools. These scan for possible intrusions, identify new threats, and alert technicians if problems arise. Security incident response plans. Drawing these up before an emergency happens can help mitigate the long-term impacts of a cyberattack and quickly return your business to normal operations. Regular, remote, and redundant data backups. These provide another line of defense for critical business information and can be a lifesaver if your business is infected with ransomware or other viruses. Ongoing cybersecurity education and training. This helps your employees to identify common threats like phishing, social engineering, and business email compromise. It can be easy to tune out the constant drumbeat of notifications about new data breaches. But the moment you put your guard down is the moment that a data disaster can strike. There’s no such thing as 100% protection or impenetrable cyber defenses—instead, it’s a matter of being prepared in advance for a potential problem. Can an IT Provider Really Help? As long as we all keep sharing personal information online, hackers will keep trying to steal it. That’s why smart cybersecurity solutions don’t bother trying to eliminate all online risks—a truly impossible goal. Instead, the right protection deployed in the right way for the right business allows you to control and reduce your risk. At CMIT Solutions, we’ve spent the past 25 years specializing in just that kind of approach. We work with thousands of businesses, big and small, across North America, to defend data, protect devices, and enhance productivity for every employee. We tackle the IT problems your business is facing with personalized support dedicated to cyberattack prevention, detection, and response. We pride ourselves on going above and beyond for our clients—an approach you won’t find with many IT providers. Hackers might spend their time cooking up new scams to get around basic network security defenses, but our hardworking staff of 800 owners and technicians spread around North America will work even harder developing new layers of protection and new strategies for success. If you need a trusted partner to help you respond to a data breach or prepare for a potential IT problem, contact CMIT Solutions today.