Data Security Risks and Solutions for Small to Large Businesses

24 Apr. 2014 - - Total Reads 13,568

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

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

Testimonials

Not only is Michael professional but he is also a great friend to have in your court. He is balanced in his advice, fair in his quotes and has the best twitter feed for all things tech - i highly recommend you follow him and also hire him! Clare Smith, GM – Brand & Marketing Communications at Sensis

More Testimonials
AndMine-Google-Partner-Signature