Small Business Tips: How to Protect Your Sensitive Information
In this age of electronic business where having an online presence is a big part of running a business, online data leaks and exposure of sensitive information to the wrong people is an increasing issue.
As your business grows, and you decide to start hiring more employees and professional help, like a a bookkeeper for your small business it is good to first consider how you can keep your financial and personal data secure. Here at Lighting Bookkeeping, the security and protection of our client’s sensitive data is a high priority, which is why we use a combination of secure technology and safety protocols when handling sensitive information
Here are a few tips we recommend you take in order to protect your personal and financial data.
Set Up Strong Passwords
Avoid using the same password for multiple online accounts. This might require some more effort and better password management, but if the password you use for everything is discovered, your personal information could be in danger.
When choosing a new password, make sure this password is strong, but meaningful enough for you to remember. A good strong password should:
Have a mix of alphabetical letters and numbers
Use a mixture of uppercase and lowercase letters
If the system allows, use symbols (!, #, $, %, &)
Be meaningful to you, like a catchphrase or nickname
Protect Your Passwords
A secure password manager allows you to securely save your strong passwords so you don’t have to remember each individual password, especially if your business uses many online platforms. There are a few free password managers out there, but the most important factor is that your passwords stay secure and encrypted. Most banks will allow you to add your bookkeeper or accountant and a “View Only User” so they can access your financials securely without you having to share your personal or master password.
Be Careful with Suspicious Links
Sometimes scammers and hackers will email or text you a suspicious link that could take you to a malicious website and put your personal information at risk. A lot of these emails or text messages might falsely tell you that you are a victim of a data leak, and that you need to click the link to take action and secure your data. This is a scam, so if you don’t recognize the email or text number, it’s always best to ignore or delete the message. If you aren’t sure if a link is a malicious or not, ask your bookkeeper and they can help you make sure your data stays safe.
Implement Safe Processes
Even if you have strong passwords and a secure password manager, poor processes can still put your data at risk. Good internal processes will make sure your data stays safe even when you aren’t around to check. Here at Lightning Bookkeeping, we implement processes, use security software, and offer training on the best practices for keeping data secure. If you aren’t sure where to start when implementing security protocols within your small business, ask one of our friendly bookkeepers what steps you can take to secure your data.
What You Can Do
Now that you know how to keep your data safe and secure, why not do an audit on your current processes and passwords to see if you are at risk of a data leak?
You can also reach out to us here at Lightning Bookkeeping and ask us how our team manages your sensitive data, and get some tips and pointers to help you get started on securing your data.
