It’s not just the big companies that need to worry about security measures, small businesses, startups, even freelancers, are becoming more concerned about protecting one’s data. We asked 9 entrepreneurs what their favorite tool or solution they used to quickly improve their company’s data security. Here’s what they said:
Adding Two-Factor Authentication
The biggest bang for your buck for organizations comes from enforcing two-factor authentication (usually offered at no cost by application providers) across all critical systems and applications. By doing so, organizations can protect themselves from one of the most common attack vectors: stolen credentials.
-Varun Badhwar of RedLock
Using Cavirin for Cloud Computing
For cloud computing, Cavirin is a tool that protects both your cloud workload and associated accounts. It conducts an IT audit and searches for outdated and unpatched servers — the No. 1 culprit implicated in major IT security breaches. Cavirin also checks your firewall, OS configurations and monitors your accounts to improve your company’s overall data security.
-Brett Farmiloe of Markitors
Implementing Security Policies
Two-factor methods should always be considered when performing authentication. But we need people to do the basics as well, such as coming up with complex passwords that they can easily remember. Don’t have the mentality of “it can never happen to me.” The sooner you implement security policies, the better your employees will adapt to them. Also, don’t ever send password information via email.
-John Rampton of Calendar
Getting Rid of Shared Passwords
The best solution is to get rid of the shared passwords and Post-It notes around the office. Users having their own passwords protects them and their identity/security, and also protects the company.
-Marjorie Adams of Fourlane
Eliminating Shared Accounts
Too often, vital accounts are logged into by a number of people sharing the same login credentials. This could be your social media accounts, but could also extend all the way to your online banking accounts. It’s time to draw a line and proactively eliminate shared accounts. Most enterprise systems are set up for multi-user access, where each person has a unique username and password.
-David Ciccarelli of Voices.com
Using the 1Password Extension
1Password is an extension that is easy to use and available through multiple platforms. In our opinion, it is much safer than relying on the Cloud because it keeps your vault of passwords local, and you can share on your own terms (through Wi-Fi syncing and more). 1Password also alerts you when websites you use have been breached, so that you can immediately protect data.
– Miles Jennings of Recruiter.com
Keeping Disks Clean
After backing up necessities, it’s important that companies use tools like Data Wiping Software to be sure that whatever they have deleted is absolutely gone. It’s a very “low-tech” way of doing things, but reformatting disks also does the trick and further ensures data security. I would recommend that every company trains their staff in doing the aforementioned as frequently as possible.
-Cody McLain of SupportNinja
Educating Employees
Unfortunately, your system is only as secure as your employees allow it to be, so train them well on how to keep the company’s data secure. Knowledge sharing gives team members the tools they need to keep the company safe from outside attacks.
-Robert De Los Santos of Sky High Party Rentals
Adding Meldium
Meldium has two-factor authentication password management that allows team members to share login credentials securely without writing down or sending passwords.
-Sam Saxton of Paragon Stairs
Read more about cybersecurity strategies to protect your business at TechCo
