Practical Ways to Secure Your Information on Data Protection Day
Published: January 14, 2025
Data Protection Day rolls around every 28th January, reminding us all how important it is to keep personal and business information secure. Established back in 1981, this day marks the signing of the first international law to protect personal data. Fast-forward to today, and keeping your data safe is more critical than ever – especially for businesses.
Why Data Protection Matters
These days, businesses deal with an incredible amount of data, from customer details and financial information to emails and files that keep things ticking over. Losing that data – or worse, having it stolen – can cause chaos. For smaller businesses, it’s easy to think, “We’re not big enough to be a target,” but unfortunately, that’s just not true. Hackers love an easy target, and a lack of security can leave you wide open. Luckily, a few straightforward steps can go a long way in keeping your data secure.
Nine Ways to Secure Your Data
Back It Up
Imagine losing all your data in one go – it’s a nightmare scenario that’s avoidable with regular backups. Schedule backups for your key files at least weekly and keep them secure in a trusted cloud service or on an external hard drive. Consider a backup solution that offers encryption for added security, and always test your backups to ensure they can be restored when needed.
Use Strong Passwords
Create passwords that combine uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers and special symbols for maximum strength. A phrase or a random combination works best. If you’re drowning in login details, a password manager can securely store them for you and even generate new ones.
Keep Remote Work Secure
Remote work introduces a host of new security risks, but they’re manageable with a few precautions. Make sure your team uses secure networks, such as a home WiFi protected with a strong password or a VPN when accessing company files. Encourage employees to keep sensitive files encrypted and to avoid downloading unknown attachments, even when working from home.
Watch Out for Phishing Scams
Fake emails often look legitimate, but they’re designed to steal data or install malware. Train your team to hover over links before clicking and to double-check email addresses for unusual details. If something seems off – like a request for urgent payments – verify it through a different communication channel.
Install Security Software
Anti-virus and anti-malware programs monitor your systems for suspicious activity and block harmful software before it causes damage. Regular updates are also crucial to ensure the software stays effective against new threats, so set it to update automatically if possible.
Don’t Leave Devices Unattended
A laptop left on the backseat of your car or an unlocked screen on your desk could spell disaster. Keep your devices secure, wherever you are.
Secure Your WiFi
Your WiFi network is your first line of defence against digital intruders. Protect it with a strong password and use WPA3 encryption for the best security. When you’re out and about, avoid accessing sensitive information on public WiFi. If you must use it, make sure you’re connected to a VPN to keep your data safe.
Lock Your Screens
It only takes a second to lock your screen when you step away. A quick habit like this can prevent prying eyes from seeing what they shouldn’t. For added convenience, set up automatic screen locks after a couple of minutes of inactivity.
Dispose of Old Devices Safely
Before you bin or sell that old laptop or phone, wipe all the data from it. There are tools that can help you do this securely. Alternatively, consider professional services that specialise in secure data destruction to guarantee your information won’t fall into the wrong hands.
Protecting your Data at Priority Pixels
We might not be an IT company, but as a B2B marketing agency, handling data is part of what we do every day. From HTML code and website copy to the personal details of a client, we understand how important it is to keep everything backed up and secure.
Data Protection Day is the perfect reminder to pause and think about how well we’re protecting our information. By making data security a priority, we can all help keep our data safe – not just today, but every day.
