Employee Security Protocols For Safeguarding Your Business
Focusing exclusively on your profit and bottom line could be distracting you from a bigger issue that can have a negative impact on your business. According to a Digital Guardian interview with top data security expert Casey Fleming, one of the biggest mistakes companies make with data security is the “failure to understand the true threat against their employees, suppliers and ultimately, their data.” But what does all this mean and how do you take steps to protect your business against true threats? Start by focusing on employee security protocols to safeguard your business for success. Here’s how to get started.
Install Video Surveillance
Installing a video surveillance system at your company can do more than just safeguard your inventory. The biggest change in behavior isn’t in preventing theft, but in the marked increase in productivity that surveillance sparks. Here’s how to emulate that added layer of protection. Companies can install their own commercial property security systems to keep it safe from theft, keep an eye on employees and spark renewed productivity at the same time. It’s a cost effective way to combine video surveillance with a virtual guard to keep an eye on your business. This service also offers outdoor webcams, archiving capabilities and remote video management.
Design a BYOD Policy
It seems like a smart and financially savvy decision at first. Allowing employees to bring their own devices can reduce your expenses and keep more profit in your company, but it also opens the door for cybersecurity issues. Accessing sensitive information over free Wi-Fi, using personal and work email on the same device and downloading files, and using unsecured third party apps can invite malicious activity into your business.
To keep your data safe and your technology costs low, design a BYOD policy that focuses on the security of your company. You can include what types of devices are permitted and state your right to access and monitor information and data from the device. It’s also important to consider how these devices will be used outside of work and decide whether or not to restrict usage for work beyond office hours.
Set a Data Access Protocol
Onboarding employees and giving them access to your server is like giving them the keys to your entire enterprise without any real oversight. In reality, your employees only need access to the data that’s relevant to their position and responsibilities. Any data that they don’t need access to should be completely restricted from use.
The same thing goes for employee termination. When an employee is fired or even quits, their data access should be revoked immediately. This includes wiping their work devices remotely, blocking their access to servers and files, and shutting down their email. Make sure, whether an employee left on amicable terms or poor ones, that they never have the opportunity to access your data.
Create a Culture of Security
It’s not enough to just assume your team understands the importance of security. Building your foundation for a culture of security starts with the top leadership and trickles down. Start by holding regular meetings that train employees on issues ranging from email phishing to worms and viruses that infiltrate out-of-date operating systems. You can also start a contest to incentivize employees to participate. One idea is to reward an employee of the month with a gift card for the most reported email phishing or red flags about your data’s security.
Remember that safeguarding your business isn’t just about keeping your data safe, it also helps protect your bottom line and revenue. But it’s not going to happen without clarity and momentum behind it. After all, when it comes to your business, it’s up to you to create a foolproof security protocol to keep your assets safe.
