With most of a company’s information stored and used through technology, overexposure of private documents is becoming more common. State laws require businesses to secure their disposal of paper documents, digital files, and inactive electronics. The following is a list of data security mistakes that can easily be avoided to better secure the confidentiality of a company.
Data Security Mistakes
- Weak or consistent passwords
This is a huge data security mistake because every minute hackers can crack thousands of passwords within seconds. Complex passwords don’t even pose as much of a threat to these thieves due to an increase in free online password hacking software. Companies can avoid this mistake by creating unique passwords, ideally at a minimum of 8 digits or greater in length, and routinely updated. - Improper disposal of confidential documents
Not properly disposing of documents or memory containing devices like computer hard drives, thumb drives, or old smartphones, opens the door to a company’s classified information. Whether it’s a paper document or digital file, simply throwing it in the trash doesn’t eliminate the information from getting viewed again. - Misusing corporate computers
It’s no doubt that employees share work devices with others without supervision. Sometimes those closest may be the ones taking advantage of secure information. It’s very important that only authorized users access secure information. - Overexposing secure information
Home computers don’t always have the information security that companies install, so transferring files between work and personal computers pose a danger as well. When working from home and using home wireless connections, confidential data becomes exposed to a much wider network. High security whether in the office or at home can play a vital role in abstaining data security mistakes. - Accessible log ins
People often make the data security mistakes of either forgetting to log out or setting automatic logins. Whenever usernames and passwords are visible, security is unveiled. - Sensitive data stored on open shares
Outdated anti-virus software hazardously opens doors to secure document leakage. Beyond the software, open shares pose a security threat due to their accessible nature. Classified company information should remain prohibited from anyone who isn’t the authorized information holder. - Too much trust
This goes to be said over and over, if someone calls asking to authorize an account with your social security number, bank account numbers, or any digits that lead to potential security breach—question the source. Soliciting hackers too often get away with this passage to your confidential information.
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To learn how to make your company secure and properly dispose of paper documents and digital files, contact DataShield today! DataShield is here for your custom document destruction needs in Nebraska and Iowa.
