Although identity theft has been around for centuries, the expansion of the web and new technologies has only made it worse. The ever-growing digital footprint allows scammers and cyber-thefts to engage in fraud at a much larger scale. Thus, it is no surprise to see an alarming rise in data breaches and ID thefts in the last few years.
In today’s digital age, all organizations, corporations, businesses, institutions, and even small startups face the threat of data and ID theft. In 2021, almost 50% of the organizations became victims of fraud activities. As the consequences of a data breach can be severe and may lead to legal liabilities, financial losses, and reputational damage, it is of utmost importance to safeguard your business from data and ID theft.
Here are some effective strategies to consider and take proactive steps to protect your business and institution and ensure best identity theft protection.
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Spread awareness and educate
The first and foremost step is to make your employees or business teams aware of the data and ID theft and establish good internal controls. Your workers need to understand identity theft, its consequences, and the potential risks. They should understand the comprehensive security policy, pay extra attention to security, and remain vigilant of any suspicious activity on their computers, phones, and other devices. There should be regular training sessions conducted to keep the employees updated with the latest developments regarding online security.
Safeguard the organization’s devices and network
Implementing a strong barrier between the business network and the cyber attackers is crucial to avoid being easy prey. Install the latest and strong antivirus and anti-spyware software and set up a firewall to filter out any malicious content. Restrict access to the business network and add another layer of security by using a virtual private network. Realize the importance of physical security and use advanced surveillance systems to prevent ID theft.
Implement multi-factor authentication
Multi-factor authentication can deter cyberattacks to some extent and provide enhanced protection. When your business system requires an additional form of authentication, the method can easily identify the risk behaviors and help to analyze the risk factors. Multi-factor authentication allows one to match the IP addresses and block those which are not listed.
Implement policies to measure strong passwords
Even with multi-factor authentication, one will need stronger passwords for added safety. Thus, get into the habit of using strong passwords and train your workers to follow the policies strictly. Weak, baldly managed passwords or outdated passwords place your business at a considerable risk of data and ID theft. Thus, use only complex passwords and update them on a regular basis. The password manager can store complex passwords and require the users to use a second verification in addition to their password.
Use encryption and update systems
It is of utmost importance to regularly update software and use encryption to prevent security breaches and safeguard sensitive data related to our business. Employ a system that can consistently update the software and systems to remove any vulnerabilities. Additionally, encrypted data will protect the data even if the hacker has accessed it because of the encryption.
Monitor the traffic and conduct security audits
Even with all the essential steps in place for data security, it is essential to monitor the web traffic for any unusual or suspicious activity. Thus, one must review the logs and reports to detect any potential threats and identify suspicious patterns to prevent any breach in real time. Regular security audits can help locate any weaknesses in the system’s security. Employ only reputed security firms and professional experts who can detect any security flaws and recommend necessary improvements.