Protecting Client Data
Securing your customers’ information is essential to maintaining their trust and their patronage. Here’s how to help protect them and your business.
As identify theft and computer hacking concerns continue to grow, it’s essential to take measures toward keeping your clients’ information protected. Today’s offenders are not only technologically savvy, but also more persistent. Guard your clients’ valuable information and the integrity of your business with multiple layers of industry-proven protection.
Some of the latest security measures might require you to purchase new or additional equipment for your accounting firm. Once you’ve determined your security needs, your Union Bank Small Business Banker can help you review your financing options so you can make any necessary purchases.
Here are a few of your options:
Ditch the tapes. Once a popular method for protecting IT infrastructure, tape backup — which involves data being copied to magnetic tapes through a connected drive, such as a USB — is no longer a useful tool. Data recoveries for tapes are extremely poor, with failure rates as high as 50%1.
Install an external hard drive. It can be used as an emergency backup drive in case your hard drive crashes. Not only does it help to secure data, it also increases your storage capacity. They’re durable, small and light — and they typically range from less than one to just over three pounds.
Install (again). Even if you already have a backup drive, install another one. Having two full backups will further ensure protection in the rare case your backup drive also crashes. Store one backup off-site in case anything happens to your building, such as a flood or fire.
Consider Continuous Data Protection. Continuous Data Protection (CDP), which works by automatically saving a copy of each data version, is an extension of conventional backup. Unlike traditional backups, which can only restore data to the point at which a backup was created, CDP allows you to recover data from any point within the process. CDP also can repair the damage from technical issues such as equipment breakdowns or errors, such as deletion of databases or destruction caused by viruses.
Frequently check your security software. Make sure that your anti-virus software and spyware protection are current. If you have the option, schedule automatic updates on your computer.
Encrypt your data. Encrypting data is one of the strongest deterrents that will help in protecting your and your customers’ information. To be the most effective, encryption must work with other working controls. Once you have installed encryption software on the drive then the data on the drive is encrypted.
Establish a security policy. Create a simple, easily accessible document that details the policy’s steps. Give refresher training to employees once you update the plan. Build trust with your clients by meeting with them to detail its features and make yourself available for any questions.
By taking the necessary precautions, you’ll be protecting more than your clients’ data. You’ll also be safeguarding your firm’s reputation.
1 Gartner Research
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