Law Technology Today From the ABA Legal Technology Resource Center
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Elon Musk’s space exploration company, SpaceX, recently banned employees from using Zoom after authorities discovered high cybersecurity risks with the video conferencing platform. This came at a particularly bad time, as millions of people around the world are forced to work from home due to COVID-19. The need for business conferencing software has never been greater and Zoom was one of the most popular options on the market.
The decision at SpaceX led to increased anxiety about data privacy litigation and the safety of various business applications. SpaceX wasn’t the only prominent organization to show concern, either. Taiwan banned Zoom from all government operations and many public and private institutions have followed suit in recent days.
The Zoom controversy is just the latest in a series of cybersecurity breaches that put sensitive data at risk. Now more than ever, businesses must fortify themselves against hackers, viruses, and an ever-increasing number of virtual threats. If a data breach exposes your customers’ information to hackers, you could face crippling fines and lawsuits. So, to help you keep your business one step ahead of cybersecurity threats, we’ve compiled the top 5 ways to protect your business from data privacy litigation:
Secure Your Local Network
Before you take any other steps to avoid data privacy litigation, secure your local network. Network breaches are one of the most common ways for hackers to get in and information to get out. There are numerous methods to protect your local network. First, consider implementing network devices with activated firewalls. This way, a breach will not allow outsiders to make any new changes to your network. Additionally, your business should consider WPA2 encryption and the use of a VPN on all business devices.
Research Your Software Companies
Most businesses choose their software based on user reviews, features, and pricing. While these are all important considerations, security should be your top priority. Do research into the company that produces the software. If the company has a parent company, do research into them as well. If there is any sign that you’re putting your customers’ data in the hands of a dishonest or incompetent business, look elsewhere.
Choose Equipment Based on Security Features
If you’re like most businesses in 2020, you need to conduct the majority of your commercial activities in the virtual sphere. This means that you need to use up-to-date equipment that can snuff out security threats before they start. Apple products tend to have better security features and more frequent updates than devices from other tech companies, though you will have to see if the other features of iPhones, Macbooks, and iPads fit the needs of your company.
Educate Your Workforce
Even if you use top-of-the-line equipment, high-quality security software, and reputable business partners, you could still lose sensitive data due to internal malfeasance. If one or more of your employees is unsure how to properly handle or transmit sensitive data, it could open your business up to a multitude of costly lawsuits. You will need to educate your workforce about your company’s cybersecurity policies and the best practices to keep sensitive data safe. Moreover, you will need to have a system of checks and balances when it comes to cybersecurity; this way you can stay on top of employees who might choose to ignore important security rules.
Additionally, one of the most important subjects to educate the workforce is in the practices of phishing. Have some practice in place in which employees can ask about and/or forward fishy emails. Sometimes it might just be one letter off of a well known service, intended to tricking employees to enter their username and password for the hackers to gain access.
Look to the Experts
Most businesses have enough to worry about without crafting their own cybersecurity policy. If you feel completely lost when it comes to protecting your business data, contact a security company to help handle the load. Maintaining an internal IT department is an important part of this process, as you will need a contact point for all cybersecurity-related issues. Nonetheless, outside help can end up saving you a lot of time and money in the long-run.
