4 Ways Staff Can Threaten Your Company's Data Protection

Now that privacy threats and data breaches are on the rise, it’s important to know how to handle sensitive work devices and papers.

Organisations without clear and concise remote work and device policies are at the highest risk of potential data breaches. It is therefore important for organisations to protect themselves. Here are some ways to identify areas of risk and potential actions to keep organisations safe:

1. Remote work and holiday travel

Now that more companies are developing flexible work models such as remote working, it’s more likely for employees to possess confidential information on their mobile phones and laptops. It is important for them to have a strict corporate device policy to ensure control of these devices.

Employees should also beware of the dangers of using public networks to protect the information on these corporate devices. All mobile devices and laptops should have anti-virus, Virtual Private Network (VPN) and anti-malware tools to keep data safe when working remotely.

2. Staff access

Without a proper guideline, the organisation's workplace can be susceptible to both fraud and human error data breaches. It is imperative to secure physical access to information. Confidential information should be stored in safe place to ensure restricted access to authorised employees only.

Encourage out-of-office employees to store all important information in digital form only. Reinforcing existing policy such as the Clean Desk Policy can be beneficial for skeleton employees to ensure information safety during the holiday season.

3. Online Shopping

Security risks can also increase within the workplace. With time-sensitive shopping needs for client gifts and even personal shopping, employees will be shopping for products online. Using company credit cards online when using a shared network or an untrusted shopping website can open up the risk for fraud and financial damages.

Employees should be encouraged to use safeguarding technology for fraud detection. Ensure that scam information is communicated to employees ahead of time so they will be able to identify between advertisements and phishing scams.

4. Document destruction

Clean out any obsolete hardware, hard-drives, and physical documents that  can significantly reduce the chances of compromising information or privacy.

As more corporations find themselves in compromised situations in the face of information safety, it is important to take the best possible precautions to safeguard your company's data.

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This article is based on Paul Saabas’ Put Your Data Protection On Your Wish List This Holiday Season