It’s a brand new fresh year, and we’ve got a whole new list of things concerning technology that you should be worried about!

Not really, but these are things that you should take a look at, in both your personal life and your business life. If you’re not concerned about backups, about data access and the ability to access things and passwords, you may be taking your digital life and data for granted. There are plenty of bad actors out there that are looking to get into bad things, like your financial data, so take a look at the list and see if you’re meeting the spec on any of these concepts. If not, you may want to think about giving us a call to see how we can help shore up your tech guidelines and abilities.

1. Data Encryption: Data transmission and storage may be encrypted to protect it from unauthorized access. Encryption ensures that even if data is intercepted, it remains unreadable without the appropriate decryption key.
2. Access Controls: Access to the underlying infrastructure and data is restricted to authorized personnel. This helps prevent unauthorized individuals or entities from gaining access to sensitive information.
3. Regular Audits and Monitoring: Continuous monitoring and regular audits of systems are conducted to identify and address potential security vulnerabilities. This proactive approach helps ensure that security measures are effective.
4. User Authentication: Multi-factor authentication (MFA) and strong user authentication methods are often implemented to verify the identity of users and prevent unauthorized access.
5. Data Anonymization and Aggregation: Personal data is anonymized or aggregated wherever possible to minimize the risk of individual identification. This is done to protect user privacy.
6. Security Training: Personnel involved in handling data undergo security training to understand best practices, recognize potential threats, and adhere to security protocols.

It’s important to note that individual users also play a crucial role in ensuring the security of their data. Here are some general tips for keeping your data safe:

1. Use Strong Passwords: Create strong, unique passwords for your accounts, and consider using a password manager to keep track of them.
2. Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA): Whenever possible, enable 2FA for an additional layer of security.
3. Be Wary of Phishing: Avoid clicking on suspicious links or providing personal information in response to unsolicited emails or messages.
4. Keep Software Updated: Regularly update your operating system, applications, and antivirus software to patch security vulnerabilities.
5. Use Secure Connections: When transmitting sensitive information, ensure that you’re using secure, encrypted connections (e.g., HTTPS).
6. Review Privacy Settings: Regularly review and update privacy settings on your online accounts to control the information you share.

Remember that data security is a shared responsibility between service providers and users. Staying informed about best practices and being vigilant online contribute to a safer digital environment.