7 Tips to Safeguard Customer and Company Data

The issue of data security has long been a topic of discussion. However, it has resurfaced after the hacking of the Interim National Data Center (PDNS) by hackers. Public attention has since been fully focused on this topic because if the Interim National Data Center managed by the government can be breached by hackers, what about the fate of the data they own?

The issue becomes even more compelling when data security also intersects with customer data that has been entrusted to or collected by companies for specific business purposes. Has the company you manage considered this? Or did it all start when the PDNS breach occurred, and you're only starting to think about it now?

Modern World, Data Management is Becoming More Crucial

You must realize that in this modern era, proper data management is essential. It's not just about using data for marketing, sales, and product development but also about the threat of misuse by other parties, such as hackers, which can harm your business's customers.

In an ideal situation, data protection and security should be standard procedures for every modern company today, which practically collects customer data, processes it, and benefits from this data within the legal framework.

However, in reality, there are still companies or businesses that overlook this, and they have to face the significant risk of enormous losses due to hacking, data breaches, or hijacking of important customer and company data.

Tips for Safeguarding Customer Data in Business

There are many steps that companies, and you as the owner, can take to safeguard customer data in a business. These methods will largely involve the IT team's performance, but some also relate to more disciplined business activities.

1. Ensure a Solid IT Infrastructure

The first step you can take is to build a solid and robust IT infrastructure, forming a strong foundation for the company's digital activities at all times. A solid IT infrastructure means that every piece of technology owned by the company is equipped with quality protection against potential cyber-attacks.

At the same time, strengthening the IT team with supportive technology and facilities is a must. The solid combination of high-standard software, hardware, and humanware will provide optimal protection for your customer data.

2. Automated Data Backup

Once you have a solid IT infrastructure, also implement regular and scheduled data backup procedures. This procedure helps store important data in different 'locations' as a step to protect customer data from the risk of loss, damage, theft, and misuse.

In the context of a cyber attack where the main data is lost from the database, you still have backup data that is not too different from the actual data. Business processes can continue while necessary data recovery efforts are made.

As a note, the attack on PDNS revealed that the backed-up data was minimal, causing permanent losses for many parties.

3. Restrict Access to the Database

This method is widely used to protect the security of customer and company data in general. Many companies use restricted access to the data they have, so data can only be accessed with verified identities or devices recognized by the company's security system.

This means that access from new devices will not be automatically allowed, even if it has the identity of an authorized employee. Additionally, some companies have policies that company data can only be accessed within the company's business network area. Access is automatically closed when attempted from outside the business environment.

4. Internal Team Vigilance

The vigilance of the internal team plays a significant role in safeguarding customer data. The internal team is the front line in detecting threats, allowing quick and accurate responses before problems arise.

Of course, this vigilance must be supported by necessary software, such as various antivirus programs and other software that can detect cyber-attack threats. Also, instill general understanding of potential attack methods to every staff member, especially those who use electronic devices and are actively connected to the internet.

The contribution of all company elements will help in the early detection of emerging threats, allowing you to minimize their impact on the company and customer data.

5. Collaborate with Trusted Vendors

To support the protection of company data and systems, partnering with vendors providing services in this field is common. However, the chosen vendors must meet the criteria you have set for your company. At the very least, use vendors with a good reputation, excellent service, and, if possible, those recommended by trusted business partners. This way, the options will narrow down to quality vendors. Prepare a budget that aligns with the company's needs, as if you want optimal protection, the effort put in must also be maximal.

6. Prepare Emergency Measures

In the worst-case scenario where the security system is successfully breached or infiltrated, ensure you have pre-prepared emergency measures with clear objectives. These objectives could include extreme steps such as eradicating threats, disconnecting from the server, or even taking other measures to save data that can still be saved and has not been touched by hackers.

This method is indeed extreme as it considers the potential worse impacts that may occur if this step is not taken. Always remember to plan everything carefully and prepare your company for the worst possible scenarios.

7. Conduct Regular Audits

For the protection and security systems used by the company, conduct regular audits to continually monitor the capabilities. Audits can be performed periodically to assess detected threats, actions taken, and system updates that can be implemented. Audits of the company's cybersecurity system help you remain vigilant against all possibilities, ensuring you don't let your guard down in facing ever-evolving threats.

Beware of Types of Threats to Customer Data Security

The most commonly known threat is referred to as a hacker. A hacker can be understood as an individual or entity with expertise in computer networks to solve technical problems. However, this meaning has shifted negatively, often interpreted as someone with technical skills to breach the security system of a digital entity and exploit important data within it.

If hackers are the ones conducting breaches, you should also be aware that many types of threats exist today. These threats can target the customer data you manage or, worse, your company's system.

Some types of cyber threats to watch out for include:

Ransomware, This is a type of malware or malicious software that encrypts your data. The data is then locked and becomes inaccessible. It is called ransomware because the perpetrator will demand a ransom to unlock this data.
Malware, Refers to harmful software that comes in many forms, including viruses, worms, trojans, and more. These entities can damage or alter data on a computer without the device owner's permission.
Phishing, Involves emails or messages deliberately sent by criminals posing as official representatives of a service. The goal is to gain access to systems by deceiving victims.
Spoofing, This threat occurs when someone pretends to be someone else to gain trust and access to the company's systems.
Social Engineering, Refers to activities conducted by an individual to manipulate another party's trust. The process involves user interaction to obtain sensitive information.
Data Theft, After an individual gains access or finds a loophole in the company's system, data theft becomes the most tangible threat faced. As the name suggests, the perpetrator will steal important company data, including internal and customer data, for personal gain.
Man-in-the-Middle, This cyber threat is carried out by infiltrating the communication between two parties. It can also be referred to as eavesdropping but can extend to disrupting communication channels, manipulating messages, and stealing transmitted data.

A deeper understanding of data security will provide more thorough consideration for protection efforts. Especially in today's digital era, where almost everything is connected to the internet and integrated into comprehensive systems, threats like widespread hacking have become increasingly relevant and should be addressed wisely. In line with the efforts to protect and optimize customer data security, you should also consider appropriate mitigation steps for potential risks. Having reliable business insurance is one of the right steps, such as AXA Insurance Indonesia's product for businesses, SmartBusiness Insurance. This insurance will help provide benefits to your business for any inconvenience caused by one or more reasons stated in your insurance policy, ensuring you receive protection and assurance if something undesirable happens to your business. Comprehensive, practical, and reliable, immediately explore more information through the related link and maximize the protection of your customer data!

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