How To Reduce Security Risks During Data Transfers

The use of the internet and new technologies is essential for the success of your business organization.

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They allow you to streamline your data management and sharing process. This is very important, especially if you’re connecting with employees remotely.   

However, sometimes modern technologies can bring more harm than benefits to your business. Why? Hackers can utilize the same technologies to access and invade your business networks. When that happens, you can lose all your essential data. This can cause you to close down your firm or incur considerable costs to recover the lost data. The good news is, there are some safe and effective data transfer practices you can implement to secure your business.  

Some of these include: 

1. Update Your Systems Regularly

One of the best strategies to minimize security risks when transferring data is to update your systems regularly. Technologies like an enterprise FTP server were invented several years ago when cybersecurity threat wasn’t a major concern. Businesses still use these systems to share their documents because they’re scalable and customizable. However, such systems can pose a great danger to your firm if not updated consistently.  

Hackers always scan older software versions to determine their vulnerability. This means that outdated file transfer tools are more prone to cybersecurity attacks than new ones. That’s why you need to keep updating your systems. It allows you to adopt the latest security features to enhance the protection of your data transfer.  

Updating systems can take time, making anyone impatient and not wanting to do it, especially if they're too busy. However, it's essential to do so for the safety of your data transfers. There may also be times when you might forget to update them. The best solution is to install automatic update software on your systems. This allows you to always keep files safe from cybercriminals.

2. Develop Strong Passwords

Creating passwords for your computers and networks isn’t enough. You need to make them strong if you want to boost the security of your online data.   

Creating strong passwords is easier than you may think. First, you need to make them reasonably long, preferably more than eight characters. Second, make sure you combine alphabets, characters, and numerals in your passwords. Lastly, create passwords using a combination of lower and upper cases.

Additionally, change your passwords more often. This makes it harder for hackers to guess them and ensures your online documents remain protected.

3. Encrypt Your Files 

You can also consider encrypting your files to boost your cybersecurity. This is a practice of converting your data into a nonstandard language before transmitting them to intended users. As a result, anyone who gets ahold of files will not understand the information in them. It’s the best strategy to safeguard your documents in case they fall into the hands of the wrong person.

 But you may ask; how will the intended recipients understand your information? You’ll provide them will a binary code to decode your files. This allows them to convert the data into a standard language they can understand.  

4. Consider Two-Factor Authentication

Using strong passwords is undoubtedly one of the best ways to secure your files. However, it may still fail to protect your online files adequately. This occurs especially when unauthorized people access them by mistake. For that reason, you may want to make your account more secure with two-factor authentication.

Two-factor authentication allows you to add another layer of security on top of strong passwords to access your accounts. The main purpose of this strategy is to verify the user’s identity. This method uses fingerprints, one-time passcodes sent to email or phone, or facial recognition to unlock your networks. Ensure no one can access your business systems with two-factor authentication. It’s one of the best ways to enhance your cybersecurity strategy.   

5. Educate Your Team

You should know that some cybersecurity attacks during data transfers may occur due to workers’ mistakes and ignorance. For instance, your staff may unknowingly share passwords to outsiders or open links and spam emails containing viruses. For that reason, you should consider educating your workers on cybersecurity best practices. Ensure you tell the risks of cybersecurity attacks to your business.    

You can educate your team by scheduling training programs, workshops, seminars, or meetings about cybersecurity attacks. Moreover, you can implement cybersecurity guidelines or rules in your company to best protect your data.

Takeaway

Cybersecurity attacks are a threat to any business organization. This occurs when unauthorized persons access, steal or manipulate your data. You can ensure your online file transfers are secure by implementing the strategies discussed in this article.