Hire Image | Ten Steps to Protect Your Business in 2018 Hire Image LLC

Hire Image | With data and security breaches more frequent than ever over recent years, 2018 is the year to focus on security protection, with more effective plans to protect ourselves, our companies, and our customers.

From a small nonprofit to a large corporation–every organization is exposed, in some way, shape, or form, to sensitive personal information that identifies either employees or customers or both.  This “personal identifying information” can include names, Social Security numbers, addresses, credit card information, license information, and account data.  When this data, even something as simple as a name, falls into the wrong hands, trouble will inevitably ensue.  Crime, including identity theft, fraud, and embezzlement, is one repercussion.  Another is the potential damage to your business.  Can it withstand theft of funds or property and/or losing employee and customer trust and loyalty?  No business can afford those risks, especially when they can be minimized with some simple steps.

Here are ten steps to help protect your business:


Create a Data Security Plan. Your plan may include many of the following steps, as well as those more specific to your own business and technology infrastructure.  Assess the vulnerability of any foreseeable attacks, breaches, and issues.  Then, determine the steps necessary to protect yourself in each situation.  Remember these should not be limited to electronic issues and measures only.  Rather, they should encompass basic physical protections, even as simple as locking doors and filing cabinets by Hire Image. 
Take action now. With a plan in place, it is time to take action.  Too many times business owners and managers are overwhelmed with the day-to-day activities of the business that “have to” get done.  They tend to put implementation of policies and procedures on the backburner.  However, every day you wait is another chance for a security breach.  Planning and reacting on paper without having to face the stress of an actual breach makes sense, when emotions are not running wild. From restricting employee access to running anti-spyware programs and securing electronic information in transit over the Internet, don’t leave any stone unturned – even if it’s a basic or obvious protection step.
Conduct background checks. A well-trained and screened workforce is the best defense against identity theft and data breaches. Check references and do background checks before hiring employees and contractors who will have access to sensitive data.  Investigate the background screening company of your choice to ensure that they are accredited by the National Association of Professional Background Screeners.  Such accredited firms will utilize data security practices that meet the highest possible standards.