Data Security Risks and Solutions for Small to Large Businesses

24 Apr. 2014 - - Total Reads 13,574

Data security

Data Security: Mandatory Data Breach Reporting, Heartbleed and Widows XP End of Life.

Do you leave your house car and office unlocked, 24 hours a day? Do you write your Visa or Eftpos pin number on the back of your cards? No way – so why do we do similarly stupid things with our online data?… Is this another common case of out of sight, out of mind? Data security has become one of the most high concerns for Businesses, be it small or large.

Unfortunately most of us are good with things we can see, not so good in the ‘cloud’ or thinking about a hard drive in the office server. Problem with that is, we all secure a ton of personal and business data with the passwords we enter to access these systems, and more and more they are under threat.

In the last month we saw some pretty massive changes in Data Security Risks and how they will affect all businesses. While we all have our solutions in place from best practice like backing up our business data to a removable or cloud drive to password changes and integrated security service providers, I think the last month holds special significance and it is time to review your solutions, no matter how adapt.

So last month, what happened and how to resolve these new threats? Here are 3 key article links on the sorts of things you need to look out for;

Add to all this the growing surge in online piracy …No i’m not talking about downloading Game of Thrones being the most downloaded show in history. Your data isn’t very safe in your office and the Government is telling you to do something about that. Nearly every website is flawed because of the data security layer bug and Windows users have to cough up for the new software or face growing challenges from hackers looking to exploit the un-supported system.

OK, Solutions, firstly, If you haven’t already, every business should have a good Cyber Insurance Policy, for SMEs it will run around $1000 a year, but will protect you across any accidental or malevolent data loss. I recommend our guy (of course), Nathan Ray from AustBrokers Country Wide. Contact me if you’d like a referral. Secondly, chat with your IT firm and listen to what they recommend. If you’re an XP based company, be prepared for some nice new fees from Microsoft. If you want a second opinion on anything IT, speak to Jason Kelton from Ethertech, they are cost effective and Jason is always a great help.

If you’re up for some DIY, these are the steps you must take; Change any sensitive passwords especially for Facebook, Twitter, Amazon Web Services etc.  There’s a good list on Mashable about this, http://mashable.com/2014/04/09/heartbleed-bug-websites-affected/ but general rule of thumb, upgrade to strong passwords once or twice a year (we do it after Jan 1 and EOFY). Read how to choose a secure password here – http://www.wikihow.com/Choose-a-Secure-Password. If that is too long for you, one of my computer lecturers gave us a trick that stuck for me, choose a nursery rhyme or part of a story you remember, use the first letters of each word, convert some to upper case, numbers and symbols. For example, “A sailors life is the life for me” becomes ASLITLFM in capitals and with lower case, numbers and symbols it could be Asl!tlf5M.

Too many passwords? You may also want to consider a password management app. For enterprise customers, Jason recommend’s PasswordState – it is a cost effective password system made locally in AU. For those individuals who are looking for something less controlling, open source and free, he highly recommends KeePass.

Worried about Heartbleed? An online tool called the Heartbleed Test was created to test if a website has been compromised by the virus. Basically follow these two easy steps to ensure the virus has not effected you: 1. Change your passwords 2. Test your site at the link below https://filippo.io/Heartbleed/

While the recent threats and changes are massive, there are obviously tons more out there from Phishing emails to fake profiles, credit card scams and privacy policies to keep you on your toes.  If you have questions, feel free to send them through; luckily like the recommendations above, there are always good ways to get around common privacy and data security issues.

 

Michael Simonetti
Posted by:

Post Reads: 13.6K

Share this

Go on, see if you can challenge us on "Data Security Risks and Solutions for Small to Large Businesses" - Part of our 168 services at AndMine. We are quick to respond but if you want to go direct, test us during office hours.

Add Your Comment

Trusted by

ACTUATE IP
Forbes
Focus On Furniture
Cooper Mills
Rock Pool Group
iPrimus
Catholic Insurance
Toy World
Australian Anthill
Magento Solution Specialist
SunSense Digital Agency
VISSF
SwinBurne University of Technology
Positive Poster
Passage To India
Cell Therapies
Mecca Brands
The Canberra Times
Rackspace
MyAccount
Peter Mac
Madman Entertainment
Ego Pharmaceuticals
RMIT University
Xavier
Gilbert+Tobin
Naturtint
Beaumont
Bigcommerce
21st Century Australia Party
Matchbox Homewares
Castran Gilbert
PranaOn
Banki Haddock Fiora
Schiavello
MAP
Etihad Stadium
DepSkin.com
131 Pizza
Plants
NextTech
One Shift
Melbourne Central
Magento
Melbourne Heart
National Relay Services
Hairhouse Warehouse
Fit My Car
Jalna
Viktoria & Woods
Crumpler
Fresh Cheese Company
GooglePlay
French Tables
Garmin
Oakdale Meat Co
Ubertas Group
Green St Juice CO
BlackMores
Google
Instant RockStar
NMI Insurance
Ebay
Unsw Australia
TPP
Switzer Media+Publishing
Windsorsmith
Macmillan Publishing
Bostik
QV Skincare
Gadens
James Buyer Advocates
Fairfax Media
Arthur Galan
Herbert Smith Freehills
Melrose Health
Maxine
Tek Ocean
Appstore
Brisbane Times
Smart Company
National Museum of Australia
Engineers Without Borders
Think & Grow Rich Inc
Watches of Switzerland
Australian Physiotherapy Association
Palace Cinemas
Australian Government
Adobe Professional
Federation Square
Celebrate Health
DeeWhy Market
McArthur Skincare
Heat Holders
Shell
Atlantic Group of Companies
Vitura Health
OMS – Order Management System
Novvi
Associated Press
Sports Power
Marshall White
Jetstar
LBG Australia and New Zealand
Plan It Sync It
Eway
Rydges
Mark Alexander Design
Buy Aussie Now
Cleanfit
Dial Before You Dig
News
Arc One
Moov Head Lice
Kay&Burton
Grow Your Business
White Suede
Chia
Mamma Lucia
ISO CERTIFIED 27001
CAN- Common Wealth Bank
CB Richard Ellis
Grays Ecommerce
Van Egmond Group
Dinosaur Designs
HGG 
Loan Market
Florsheim Shoes
Fast.co
Metricon
Max’s
Passage Foods
Bank of Cyprus
CSquared Executive
WTFN
Tomorrow Stars Basketball
Amino Active
ADP Payroll
Tribe
NGS Super
Inferflora
OJAY
AC/DC
Craft CMS
ABC
Carlton Football Club
Telstra
SMH – The Sydney Morning Herald
King Wood Mallesons
Victorian Government
Drupal
Royal Freemasons
Oracle
Uber
Wild Rhino Shoes
Natralus Australia
Bintani Australia
The University Of Melbourne
Parker Lane
Aqium Gel
Hanover
High Street Armadale
The Burger Cheese
Thomson Geer
Kadac
Australian Organic Food CO
Liveoneday
The Fortune Institute
Taylor Rose
Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre – MSAC
Coles
The Age
GPT Group
Grainshaker
DUSA, Deakin University Student Association
Sunday Creek
Microsoft Certified Azure Fundamentals
Boston Consulting Group
Bondi Sands
Paypal
Toni&Guy
Movember
Elucent
Street Kitchen
Vendor Advocacy Australia
Acquia Certified Site Builder Drupal
The Royal Melbourne Hospital
Engine Swim
Tassal
Macpherson Kelley
POSTER Magazine
Cronos Australia
Ello
Melrose MCT
Bulk Nutrients
Federation University Australia
Scrum.org
ISO Certified

Testimonials

We contracted &Mine to build a new website and a ‘real-life’ online tutorial. We found their work to be creative and technically competent, and their staff friendly, professional and flexible. We are happy to recommend them. Deborah Fullwood, Director, WestWood Spice

More Testimonials
AndMine-Google-Partner-Signature