Today, data is one of the most valuable assets a company has. The information flowing between your systems, employees, and customers each day likely influences every strategic decision your company makes.

But with explosive data growth comes increased vulnerability to cyber threats that seem to make headlines every other week. And damaging data breaches are not relegated to big corporations anymore. Over 60% of small businesses fall victim each year, too, according to recent reports.

So for companies and entrepreneurs of any size, doubling down on data security protocols needs to be a TOP priority in the foreseeable future.

Manage Access Carefully

While open communication channels promote productivity and innovation, granting widespread access to company data networks introduces vulnerability. Follow the principle of least privilege – only provide the minimum access individual employees need to fulfill their specific roles day-to-day.

For example, your accounts payable clerk likely handles plenty of sensitive financial data but doesn’t require sales figures or customer contact info, and vice versa. Segment what employees can view based on their job responsibilities. Also, revoke access immediately for those who change roles or leave the company.

HR software and identity management platforms automate provisioning and de-provisioning users and maintain compliance reporting to prove you take access seriously. Worth looking into even early on.

Lock Down Endpoints

The spread of handheld devices means your company data now lives not just on office servers but also on smartphones, laptops, and tablets that travel everywhere. Remote access enables flexibility in today’s mobile workplace but also expands the attack surface.

Make device-level protections like full-disk encryption, remote data wiping, password protection, and disabling external media standard protocol across the board. Require security software on all company-provided and BYOD endpoints.

And restrict saved credentials, third-party app installs, unnecessary network permissions, and auto-connecting to public WiFi to add important layers against malware infiltration on the go.

Set clear BYOD policies on what data can be transferred or stored locally. Provide optional dedicated work devices for employees hesitant to blend professional and personal use on their own phones or laptops. Promote cyber safety best practices through training as well!

Prioritize Network & System Security

Device usage tends to get more attention when discussing mobile security, but the network itself provides the gateway to everything flowing in and out. Make shoring up vulnerabilities a priority:

• Install endpoint detection tools hunting for known exploits across services, apps, and devices on the network;
• Harden network perimeter security with robust firewalls, limited ports, and gateways to control flow;
• Maintain OS patches and anti-malware software protections across servers;
• Restrict admin privileges to essential personnel only;
• Implement robust remote access controls, like proxies from lightningproxies.net, so employees don’t authenticate straight off home networks;
• Continuously monitor traffic for abnormalities with network analytics.

You should also segment what databases and applications employees can access based on role, configure hard system timeouts during inactivity, develop security-conscious coding practices, and run penetration testing routines to uncover holes. Phew, lots involved!

Create Recovery Plans

Despite best efforts, some threats inevitably slip through. That’s why maintaining data backups and contingency protocols for restoration are key. Assume catastrophe can strike anytime and prepare multiple redundant copies both onsite and off.

Regular automated cloud backups that snapshot progress without reliance on employees remain a foolproof safeguard when disaster strikes. Mirror versions on external drives that get rotated offsite physically via secure channels provide an extra layer of redundancy against equipment failure or total facility destruction.

And document step-by-step incident response plans for various worst-case scenarios so everyone understands emergency roles, communication channels, and contingency protocols should a breach occur. Having all stakeholders prepared with clear action steps minimizes damage containment time.

You should test response readiness with fire drills, injecting fake threats into the wild to provide confidence if the need ever arises. And external reporting procedures to authorities and impacted customers may have legal timelines so know those well.

Promote Security Mindset

Technical controls form the first line of defense, but employees themselves provide either the strongest asset or weakest link. A layered “defense-in-depth” strategy trains every individual to spot risks and make cybersecurity instinctual rather than a rulebook chore.

Promote security mindfulness as a cultural pillar company-wide:

• Foster open conversations around responsible data handling;
• Provide cybersecurity training tuned to various employee levels;
• Incentivize reporting of suspicious activity without blame;
• Ensure leadership buys into security-conscious decisions, too.

Curiosity, critical thinking, and accountability around data create a human layer of protection that no single tool can provide. Emphasize how each person’s smart online behaviors contribute to the collective success and thriving of the company. Everyone working collectively to spot vulnerabilities, large or small, makes a measurable difference.

Staying several steps ahead of risk is far easier than coping with damages down the line.