Here are 4 key things for you to consider when reviewing your data protection strategy:

Employee Engagement

Who has access to the data your company holds? Could a disgruntled employee take advantage and look to steal or sell it? It’s a horrible thought but it cannot be ignored as one rogue element within your business could cause you both practical and legal issues if the worst was to happen.

Create a map of your access rights and levels and make sure there are checks in place to see who is accessing what. Also include data security in staff training programmes so that everyone knows what they should or should not be doing.

How about your suppliers?

Almost every business is heavily interlocked with their suppliers. Are they better or worse with their data protection procedures than you? Have you sat down and discussed data protection with them so that they are following the same depth of procedures as you?

If you are using outside agencies to collect or handle data, such as marketing information, then it is up to you to ensure it is properly protected just as if it was within your own business. Check your suppliers know this and that it forms part of the contract between your two organisations.

What do your customers think?

Do they have any concerns about how their data is handled or the level of information being requested? Talk to them about their experiences when interacting with your business and check-in with them from time to time so they know your policies and feel secure.

They are the ones who could be most affected by a loss of information so look after them.

Minimise by design

Think about data security right from the start of any new process or element within your business. If you don’t need to store information then don’t ask for it and keep the data you hold to a minimum. Build security in from the start rather than creating a process and then applying security retrospectively.

If you need any assistance with creating a secure data environment please feel free to give us a call.