Kaspersky Turkey General Manager, Ilkem Özar, believes that small businesses can effectively protect their data treasures and contribute to the development of an unshakable secure environment by adopting robust security protocols, increasing employee awareness, and staying vigilant.
Kaspersky Turkey General Manager, Ilkem Özar, stated that small businesses can effectively protect their data treasures and contribute to the development of an unshakable secure environment by adopting robust security protocols, increasing employee awareness, and staying vigilant. According to a statement from Kaspersky, data has become one of the most valuable assets for businesses, regardless of their size. Every business can face risks associated with data breaches and leaks. From customer information to financial records, the privacy of data is of paramount importance. Kaspersky experts highlighted practical recommendations on how businesses of all sizes can protect their confidential information in the face of potential problems caused by data breaches.
Data breaches can have a variety of negative impacts on small businesses, ranging from reputational damage to legal consequences. Initially, erosion of customer trust and reputation loss are sharp consequences of a breach. Since customers entrust their personal information to businesses, any breach can weaken this trust and lead to negative public perception, inevitably resulting in reduced customer loyalty. On the other hand, data breaches can bring legal consequences, including potential sanctions and major lawsuits. Regulatory frameworks require strict data handling practices, and non-compliance can result in significant fines. The costs associated with breaches, such as interruption, investigation expenses, preventive measures, legal fees, and compensation settlements, can lead to substantial financial losses. Beyond financial aspects, data theft, especially in breaches that compromise proprietary information involving contracts with suppliers and subcontractors, poses a significant threat. Breaches that jeopardize trade secrets can threaten a company's competitiveness by granting access to invaluable intellectual property. Finally, the loss of business secrets can shift the balance in favor of competitors by affecting strategic plans, product development insights, or marketing strategies, resulting in a decrease in market share and revenue.
In summary, the multifaceted effects of data breaches make it imperative to implement protective measures promptly. "Protecting businesses is not an option but an unwavering necessity," said Ilkem Özar, Kaspersky Turkey General Manager, in the statement. Özar emphasized the importance of small businesses implementing strong data protection measures to reduce the risks associated with data leaks. He offered the following recommendations for safeguarding sensitive data:
- Encrypt sensitive information both during transmission and at rest. Encryption renders data unreadable to unauthorized parties, making it more difficult for them to access meaningful information.
- Implement strict access controls to limit who can access sensitive data. Use strong passwords, multi-factor authentication, and role-based access permissions.
- Educate employees about the importance of data security and their roles in protecting confidential information. Regular training can help prevent accidental data leaks.
- Keep all software, including operating systems and applications, up to date. Software updates often include security patches addressing vulnerabilities.
- Utilize secure servers with industry-standard security protocols, both on-premises and in the cloud.
- Develop clear data storage and disposal policies. Reduce the impact of breaches by deleting unnecessary data.
- Ensure that third-party suppliers processing your data have strong security measures in place. Conduct regular audits to verify compliance.
- Create a detailed plan outlining the steps to take in the event of a data breach. This can help limit the breach's scope and impact.
- Regularly back up your data to a secure location. This allows for data recovery without significant disruption in the event of a breach.
Özar emphasized the importance of ensuring both physical and digital data security when working outside the office. He highlighted that data breaches pose significant threats to the foundation of small businesses and that protecting sensitive information is no longer an option but a necessity for all businesses, regardless of their size or industry. He concluded by stating that in a world where cyber threats are prevalent, safeguarding businesses is not a choice but an unwavering requirement.
Source: AA
Source: AA
