10 Employee Security Tips Every CEO Should Know

CEOs are tasked with doing more to improve their security measures in the workplace in the wake of various technology security breaches. They’re also being asked to secure their employee data, as most security failures at companies occur between the employee’s computer and corporate servers.

According to Verizon, malevolent employees account for 36% of all data breaches experienced by firms with 1,000 or more workers. Employee malice was the cause of 44% of data breaches in companies with less than 1,000 workers.

To stay protected against the latest threats, a company must be proactive and IT security for small business is important. This article is about security tips every CEO should know to ensure their employees’ security.

Why is Employee Security Necessary?

Employee security is a necessity in today’s business world. As a small business owner, you want your employees to be happy and productive at work. However, cyber security tips for employees are also essential to protect your company against potential problems with your employees.

Here are some of the most important reasons why employee security is necessary:

• Allows you to protect your company from fraud or theft
• Helps to protect your company’s sensitive information
• Helps to avoid lawsuits or other legal issues
• Keeps employees safe from harm

Employee Security Tips Every CEO Should Know

As a CEO, your job is to ensure your company protects itself from cyber threats. Here are 10 cybersecurity best practices to protect your team and your business:

• Provide Firewall Security for Your Internet Connection

Install an enterprise-grade firewall at all locations where employees are connecting to the internet through company devices or networks. Firewalls protect against unauthorized access by blocking connections from entering or leaving the network through an application gateway.

• Teach Employees How to Store Personal Information Online Safely

IT security for small businesses tips include encouraging employees to use strong passwords and reminding them to never share their passwords with anyone else. Also, ensure they understand that emails may not be secure, even if they are coming from an official company account. Attackers can spoof addresses and send phishing emails designed to look like they’re coming from someone inside your organization. These emails often include links or attachments that contain malware designed to steal personal information from unsuspecting victims.

• Show Them How to Use Two-Factor Authentication

If you’re worried about your employees’ safety, implementing Two-Factor Authentication (2FA_ is one of the best security measures in the workplace to protect them against being hacked. Under cloud security best practices Two-factor authentication requires its users to enter their login credentials and a randomly generated password/code will be sent via text message or email. This extra step makes it much more difficult for hackers to access an account because they’ll need both the password and the secondary code before they can log in.

• Remind Them Not to Share Confidential Information with Any Unauthorized Individuals

This includes customers and fellow employees, especially if someone has left the company. Make sure everyone understands that it’s never OK to share sensitive information with anyone who isn’t authorized by the company—or even with other employees who aren’t directly involved in a particular company project.

• Encourage Them to Use Strong Passwords

Password Management is important for an organization. Passwords should be changed frequently and must be strong. Limit the number of password attempts an employee can make before a system locks them out. This will prevent brute force attacks from users who have stolen your password hashes.

• Teach Them About the Dangers of Social Engineering

Social engineering attacks involve tricking people into giving up sensitive information or performing actions they wouldn’t normally do, such as installing malware or leaking confidential documents. Make phishing awareness necessary as your employees must be aware of this threat and protect themselves against it by avoiding suspicious emails or refusing to install software unless they’re sure it comes from a legitimate source.

• Train Them on How to Handle Phishing Attacks

Phishing attacks are one of the most common ways hackers gain access to sensitive information around the world. Employee training on spot phishing attempts and what they should do if they receive one will help to protect them against this attack.

• Encrypt Sensitive Data and Back It Up Regularly

Your employees may need to make copies of sensitive data and send it over email or store it on cloud storage systems like Dropbox or Google Drive. That means they should be encrypting these files and back them up regularly before sending them out.

• Don’t Forget About Physical Security

Physical security measures can protect against physical threats such as theft and vandalism. Lock doors when possible and install alarms if necessary. Use cameras with motion detectors to monitor areas such as parking lots and loading docks where thieves might target items left unattended for short periods. If you have sensitive data onsite, consider setting up an electronic surveillance system that automatically sends alerts when unauthorized persons enter the premises or tamper with equipment such as computers or servers.

• Make Sure Your Company Has an Emergency Response Plan in Place

It may be impossible to prevent every single cyberattack on your company but having an emergency response plan will help to minimize the damage when a breach inevitably occurs. Cybersecurity awareness month with IT security for small business tips include ensuring everyone knows what steps and precautions they should take if something terrible happens, and ensure those steps align with industry best practices. For example: if an employee receives an email asking them to click on a link or download an attachment, they should never do either unless they can verify that the request is legitimate.

• Use a VPN

Encourage your employees to use a Virtual Private Network (VPN) for secure remote access to enhance security measures in the workplace. VPNs encrypt internet traffic, making it difficult for cybercriminals to intercept sensitive information. This is especially important when employees work from home or access the company network through public Wi-Fi. Implementing VPN usage alongside strong password management practices can significantly reduce risks. Combined with phishing awareness training and BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) security policies, a VPN adds an extra layer of protection. Integrate it as part of your organization’s cloud security best practices to safeguard your data, no matter where your team is working. Promoting a BYOD security approach also ensures that personal devices accessing the network follow the same security protocols.

Final Words

Unfortunately, we live in a world where the threat of cyber security is genuine for anyone operating a business. None of us are safe from cyber-attacks. The larger your company is and the more connected you are to the world, the more vulnerable you become to these criminals.

Most CEOs recognize the importance of implementing a secure network and using best security practices. Protecting your information is vital to your company and can boost business.

At Protected Harbor, we understand how important it is for CEOs to be able to protect their security infrastructure. Our team of experts has helped many CEOs in this regard over the years, and we are confident that we can do the same for you.

We create customized security strategies tailored to each CEO’s needs, so get in touch with us today to begin the process. Our security solutions are designed to meet the challenges of the modern world, allowing CEOs to feel secure in knowing their data is being kept safe.

How Do You Handle Employee Data Theft?

When we hear the word “cyber threat,” we immediately think of hackers, trojans, phishing emails, and ransomware. While businesses should invest in efforts to prevent these external dangers from infiltrating their systems, there is another, far more prevalent hazard that is sometimes overlooked: employee data theft, especially when it comes to departing staff.

The insider threat posed by retiring employees is frequently disregarded. One out of every four departing employees steals data, which can be due to negligence or deliberate intent. In each situation, firms suffer negative consequences, ranging from a loss of competitive advantage to penalties for failing to meet cybersecurity regulations.

Insiders are a massive threat to your company’s security. The Verizon Data Breach Investigations Report found that 30% of all cyber-security incidents come from malicious insiders, which is rising! In 2020 alone, there’s an increase of 47%. It would be best if you could prevent these problems before they arise. Still, unfortunately, there’s not always room on the timeline for everything—especially when it comes down to protecting against human error or mistakes made by loved ones who have access rights within their department.

Why Do Employees Steal Data on Their Way Out?

Employee turnover is inevitable. No matter how much you invest in your team, people will move on to new opportunities at some point. And while most employees will leave without incident, there is always the risk that someone will try to steal company data on their way out the door. There are a few reasons why this might happen.

• A disgruntled employee may try to take revenge by taking sensitive information with them.
• An employee who is leaving for a competing company may try to take customers’ or proprietary data to give their new employer a leg up.
• An employee careless with data security may accidentally leave behind sensitive files.

No matter the reason, it’s essential to have strict policies to prevent data loss when employees leave your company. You can help protect your business from the risks of employee turnover by taking a few simple steps.

How to Prevent Data Theft from Employees?

Protecting sensitive data against insider threats and data theft is a broad topic that touches on almost every aspect of data security. It might be difficult to distinguish between what we consider an insider threat and a threat from outside the company.

1.    Implement Zero Trust Security

A zero-trust security strategy is one in which organizations do not automatically trust any user, device, or system -inside or outside the network perimeter. Instead, they verify every request and connection before granting access to data and resources. This verification process can include authenticating the identity of users, assessing the risk of devices and systems, and authorizing the requested access. Organizations can improve their security posture by adopting a zero-trust approach and better protecting their data against emerging threats. Implementing a zero-trust security strategy does require some initial investment, but the benefits far outweigh the costs.

2.    Give Limited Access

Only a few people should have access to employee data. This will limit the spread of information if there is a data breach. Handling employee data theft becomes much easier if there is limited access to the data. Also, if you have a process for handling data breaches, it is much less likely that your company will be the victim of a data breach.

• Educate your employees on the importance of keeping their passwords safe and secure.
• Have them change their passwords every few months.
• Install security software on all company computers.

These are just a few ways to help prevent employee data theft.

3.    Plan Exit Interviews

In an exit interview, you can ask questions about how the employee plans to use company data after leaving and remind them of any confidentiality agreements they may have signed. You can also explain the consequences of stealing company data, such as their new employer’s legal and disciplinary actions. By conducting exit interviews, you can help deter employees from stealing company data and prevent them from taking advantage of your company’s information.

4.    Creating an Anti-Theft Policy

In today’s age of technology, data theft is a growing concern for businesses of all sizes. Employees with access to sensitive data can easily copy or download it onto a portable storage device and take it with them when they leave. Once the data is out of your control, it can be used for identity theft, fraud, or other malicious purposes. To protect your business and your customer’s information, it’s essential to have a clear and concise anti-theft policy in place.

Your anti-theft policy should spell out what types of data are considered sensitive and off-limits for removal from the premises. It should also state the consequences for employees who violate the policy. In some cases, you may want to consider instituting a “clean desk” policy, which requires employees to completely clear their desks of all papers and personal belongings at the end of the day. These proactive measures can help deter data theft and safeguard your business against this growing threat.

5.    Revoke Privileges and Credentials After Termination

When an employee is terminated, it is essential to take steps to prevent them from accessing company data. One way to do this is to revoke their privileges and credentials. This will prevent them from logging into company systems or accessing sensitive data. Additionally, it is essential to change any passwords to which the employee has access. This will ensure they cannot access any account or system they should not have access to.

Finally, it is essential to monitor any activity on company systems for any suspicious activity. If there is any activity that appears to be unauthorized, it can be investigated and dealt with appropriately. By taking these steps, you can help prevent employee data theft and protect your company’s information.

Final Words

It’s critical to ensure that everyone understands their role in keeping an eye on how their coworkers act. Introducing a system that allows employees to report questionable conduct might be an excellent idea anonymously. Finally, remember that no data loss prevention technique is 100% effective, so having a tried-and-true incident response plan is essential. However, if an employee lost your data, Protected Harbor would be an excellent solution for retrieving it.

Protected Harbor secures your endpoints and network and is a step ahead with proactive monitoring. We continuously watch for data interchange and how they are shared and stored. Regular user access and credentials updates are also a part of our process. And to check all the boxes, isolated backup, recovery, and an incident response plan tailor-made to your organization’s needs. Employee awareness training is equally essential when it comes to data security. Handling employee data theft is not so easy. That’s why you should call in for help and get a free IT audit, pen-testing, and data theft check today. Call Protected Harbor today.