Running a business can be a rewarding but challenging venture. While considering how to keep your business running smoothly, you must also consider how to protect your company’s data. Data breaches, identity theft, website spoofing, phishing scams, and other types of cybercrime are forcing many businesses to their knees. While you can adopt many online strategies to prevent cybercrime, it’s important to consider ways to secure your company and business data offline. Offline security has become even more paramount with the world shifting to remote working solutions. Moreover, hackers are getting sneakier, adopting different technology to bypass passwords and unlock computers. So while you still invest in your online security strategies, the following tips can safeguard your business offline too.
Conduct employee screening and background checks
It’s advisable to screen every employee and conduct background checks for any employee you hire, especially if they have to handle company data. Doing this will help ensure that you’re hiring the right people for the job and people who will not put your business at risk. Also, consider screening and checking the backgrounds of your current workers if you haven’t already done so. You can hire professional investigators to do that on your behalf. If the investigations reveal wrongdoings or criminal activities that put your company at risk, consider putting the employee on garden leave immediately before serving them notice. This way, you can restrict their access to essential or sensitive business data and safeguard your company.
Conduct thorough staff training
Ensure that your entire staff is on board regarding offline security. It all starts with proper education and training about safety. Start by writing down some offline safety policies and ensure that every staff member should commit to them. Next, train your workers in the best ways to handle or treat non-staff visitors to avoid passing on sensitive company information to the wrong hands.
Enhancing Your Team with Recruitment
In safeguarding your business, an often overlooked but crucial aspect is the process of building a strong leadership team. This is where Executive Recruitment plays a pivotal role. Recruitment is not just about filling a high-level position, but about finding a leader who can drive your business forward, embody your company’s values, and navigate challenges effectively. The right executive can be a game-changer, bringing fresh perspectives, strategic insights, and a wealth of experience.
Protect all portable company devices
Protecting all company laptops, phones, tablets, and other devices is important, as anyone can use them to drain company data. The last thing you want is your workers leaving company gadgets unguarded or unattended for extended periods, as they can get stolen easily. Create a safe storage location at the workplace where possible. You can store all portable company devices there when not used. Consider separating this area from the main office space to make access less simplified. And if you have remote workers using company laptops, external drives, tablets, or smartphones, advise them to keep such devices under lock and key in secure cabinets away from easy access.
Be careful about BYOD
Aside from company devices, target any device your workers bring and use for company work. While “Bring Your Own Device” (BYOD) is a great way to enhance employee productivity, it has risks regarding company security. The best option is to implement policies restricting how easily workers access sensitive business data or company information using personal devices. Of course, this may sound aggressive, but it will help make your company less vulnerable.
