Protecting Your Digital Footprint: A 5-Point Guide to Data Protection
Data breaches are becoming increasingly common and frequent. In the second half of 2024, three significant Canadian data breaches included the MOVEit File Transfer Utility Breach which affected the personal information of clients of EY and Beneva; the Alberta Innovates cyberattack, which compromised sensitive research data from the Alberta Provincial Government; and the Manitoba Justice Department, who’s third party fine processing company was hacked and personal data exposed.
While the three cases we just highlighted were reported, thousands of other cases are not reported, so safeguarding your personal information is more crucial than ever. You can significantly enhance your data protection practices and reduce the risk of unauthorized access to your sensitive information, by implementing these procedures:
1. Encrypt Sensitive Data Both at Rest and in Transit
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Encryption at Rest: This involves encrypting data while it is stored on your devices, such as hard drives or cloud storage. Encryption ensures that even if your device is compromised, the data remains inaccessible to unauthorized individuals.
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Encryption in Transit: This safeguards data as it travels across networks, such as the internet. When data is encrypted in transit, it is transformed into an unreadable format, making it difficult for hackers to intercept and exploit.
2. Regularly Back Up Important Data to a Secure Location
Regularly backing up your important data is essential for data recovery in case of accidental loss, hardware failure, or cyberattacks.
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Choose a Reliable Backup Solution: Consider using cloud storage services, external hard drives, or network-attached storage (NAS) devices.
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Implement a Regular Backup Schedule: Set up automated backups to ensure that your data is backed up regularly.
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Store Backups Securely: Keep your backups in a secure location, such as a locked safe or a secure cloud storage service.
3. Implement a Robust Data Loss Prevention (DLP) Program
A robust DLP program helps prevent sensitive data from being accidentally or intentionally shared with unauthorized individuals. Key components of a DLP program include:
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Data Discovery and Classification: Identify and classify sensitive data within your organization.
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Access Controls: Implement strict access controls to limit who can access sensitive data.
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Monitoring and Alerting: Monitor network traffic for suspicious activity and set up alerts for potential data breaches.
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Incident Response Plan: Develop a comprehensive incident response plan to address data breaches effectively.
4. Stay Updated on the Latest Security Threats and Best Practices
The threat landscape is constantly evolving, so it's crucial to stay informed about the latest security threats and best practices.
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Regularly Update Software: Keep your operating systems, applications, and antivirus software up-to-date with the latest security patches.
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Use Strong, Unique Passwords: Create strong, unique passwords for each of your online accounts and consider using a password manager to help you manage them securely.
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Be Cautious of Phishing Attacks: Be wary of suspicious emails, links, and attachments that may contain malware or phishing scams.
5. Educate Yourself and Your Employees
Educating yourself and your employees about data protection best practices is essential.
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Regularly Train Employees: Conduct regular security awareness training to educate employees about the importance of data protection and how to identify and respond to security threats.
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Promote a Culture of Security: Encourage employees to report any suspicious activity or security concerns.
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Stay Informed: Stay up-to-date on the latest security news and trends.
By following these five key points, you can significantly improve your data protection practices and safeguard your sensitive information. Remember, data protection is an ongoing process, so it's important to stay vigilant and adapt to the ever-changing threat landscape.
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This training series is based on the CAN/DGSI 104 NATIONAL STANDARD OF CANADA Baseline cyber security controls for small and medium sized organizations (typically less than 500 employees), the Canadian Centre for Cyber Security controls and the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST).
This tutorial is a guideline for best practices, but you are encouraged to review your company's policies to ensure you are following your organization's procedures.
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