It happened to Yahoo in 2013, it happened to Facebook in 2019 and it happened to the National Health Service, or the NHS, in the UK in June of 2024 – a data breach.
A data breach is simply when an outside individual or company hacks a security system to get access to sensitive information. With Yahoo, it was email addresses and all that came along with that; with Facebook it was similar, and with the NHS, it was medical records.
This can be unsettling to small business owners; if a company like Yahoo can be breached, what is to stop it from happening to your business? Well, there are some proactive steps you can take to prevent a breach, which will be explored here. Please note that this is a general list, which may differ based on your business model or type.
Prevent Your Network Being Compromised
If a cybercriminal has entered your systems’ network, it is far harder to prevent a data breach from occurring.
So, the first step in preventing a data breach would be to ensure that any network vulnerabilities have been found and strengthened. This is why it is important to ensure that any security system that is put in place is based on your individual business model or type, as vulnerabilities that may exist in your current security system will likely differ from a different business model. As well as this, any security system that you have should have a managed detection and response system in place. That way, in the event that your network is compromised, you can take active steps to stop as much data leakage as possible.
Data Leak Management
Suppose your company does suffer a data leak; what do you do then?
First, you need to disconnect all of the compromised servers, computers, and devices from the internet, as well as make sure that any remote access is also cut off. Of course, be sure to tell any remote workers about this!
Then, you need to contact the correct authorities, change all the passwords, and get your security system updated!
Multi-Factor Authentication
Whenever you or a member of staff are looking to access sensitive information within your business files, you should ensure that you have multi-factor authentication set up. This is typically a two-step process but can be extended to three.
Typically, you will enter a secure password, and then have a message sent to an associated mobile device with a code, which will then need to be entered. You can also have fingerprint or facial recognition set up, to ensure that only certain people will have access to this information.
Internal Audits
You should also ensure that your security system undertakes regular internal audits. These will look at a set checklist of criteria, which has either been chosen by you or the team that set up the system itself. Depending on the type of business you have, as well as the type of information that is being protected, you will want to conduct these audits weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly.
Staff Training
You should also make sure that your staff are trained in how to spot the signs of a security breach, even if they have just conducted an audit. These signs can include unusual account activity, multiple unsuccessful login attempts, and changes in system settings. You should also ensure that all of your staff change their passwords regularly.
