Data security: Ensuring your clients are protected
Your clients rely on you for sound business advice. So, don’t wait for a data breach to encourage your clients to consider protection. Now is the time for them to review their data security controls and make improvements where required.
With all the financial records and sensitive information shared between you and your clients, data security is paramount.
Protect your data. Move to the cloud.
Protect and secure your firms data by moving your practice from server based to cloud-based storage.
The benefits of moving your clients to the cloud are evident by increased productivity and revenue, however the added bonus of more secure and cost-effective data management as well as increased security and ease of maintenance for your firm, is sometimes overlooked.
Encourage a culture of collaboration
Don’t keep your team chained to their desks or reliant on emails or file sharing. Instead, encourage a culture of collaboration. The cloud enables files to be easily accessed from anywhere at any time. This also reduces version control errors and ensures everyone is working from the most up to date information.
Avoid system overload
Take the pressure off your internal networks, servers, and systems by moving your main workload to the cloud. This means there will be less pressure on the systems that host the data you choose to keep in-house.
Superior security and protocols
Cloud based providers are only as good as their security. This means, their priority is the safety and security of the data that they host on your behalf. Cloud providers adhere to higher security protocols and standards which means they are likely to be of a higher standard to what your in-house server-based system can deliver.
Reduction in overheads
Unlike server-based software, the maintenance of your system is the responsibility of the technology provider. Not only do they look after all systems maintenance, they proactively fix bugs and/or issues that other users experience. This reduces the requirement for substantial investments in IT infrastructure.
What can your cloud-based clients can do to ensure their data is secure
1. Audit data security practices
Regular reviews are best practice for businesses who regularly handle sensitive information.
Safe Advice: Audits allow you to make sure that all cyber security measures put in place in your business are thoroughly enforced.
2. Backup data regularly
Computers are fragile, and regular data means you have little control if the machine fails.
If you use the cloud to manage data, there is no need for upgrades, system maintenance or additional hardware. With cloud software, your data lives online, so it’s always accessible and is the safest place for data to be stored.
Safe Advice: The fastest way to retrieve files is to have a backup of your data on a cloud network server.
3. Strong and secure passwords
Ensure the business utilises strong passwords with a mix of upper and lower-case letters, numbers and symbols.
Safe Advice: Activate two-factor authentication.
4. Use up-to-date security malware
Instances of phishing scams and ransoms to data hacks and fraud are increasing. Educate business colleagues on the impact of virus and scams.
Safe Advice: Stay alert and be aware with who you are interacting with. Check accounts including bank transactions and digital portals including social media for transactions or interactions you did not make.
5. Control who has access to your data
Ensure computer equipment and software have records and that policies and processes are implemented and acknowledged by your team members or people with access to your data.
Safe Advice: Encourage everyone to be mindful where and how they use their data and devices.
Useful sites:
Keep your business safe from cyber threats
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