By In the UK, around 2.39 million businesses fall victim to cyberattacks each year. If you want to avoid the potential of these attacks, you must store and handle data appropriately. The UK government has recently proposed stronger security measures to enhance transparency when it comes to people’s data, so you mustn’t be caught out.
Here are some ways you can handle and store data correctly as a business.
How is business data used?
Business data comes in various forms, including customer information, financial records and operational data. Having data is important as it supports strategic decisions, powers marketing efforts and enhances customer service. But it needs to be stored correctly.
One of the most common ways businesses can store data is with cloud computing servers as this sort of data handling is secure and can be scaled easily. For example, should you need more data storage capacity, the cloud can be increased. However, some businesses opt for physical data centres which use PS2 cables to connect switchboxes to multiplexers to create a large data storage system.
Why is data handling important?
Effective data handling is crucial not only for operational efficiency but also for maintaining customer trust and meeting regulatory requirements. In the UK, data protection laws stipulate that businesses need to handle personal data lawfully and transparently. Failing to do so can lead to severe penalties, reputational damage and loss of business. This means it’s never been more important to handle data correctly.
What are the rules around data handling?
In the UK, there are strict rules regarding the way data is handled. As such, businesses must ensure data is handled in line with GDPR. This means that businesses must get explicit consent to use data and it must only be used in limited circumstances.
Businesses must also only retain personal data for as long as necessary and dispose of this data properly to reduce the chances of the data being accessed by unauthorised individuals.
How to keep data safe
Keeping data safe involves having strict physical security measures, cybersecurity protocols and employee training.
To protect your business from harm, it’s important to educate your workforce about the dangers of data breaches and how to identify phishing emails or threats. It’s also a good idea to implement policies that prevent information from being sent to the wrong person or company.
Final thoughts…
While data storing and handling might not be high up on your list of priorities, it should be. Businesses that fail to store and handle data correctly can suffer severe reputational and financial damage, so it’s always better to implement data storing and handling processes to prevent any mishaps. As they say, prevention is better than cure.
