What Is BDR and How Does It Impact Business?

Businesses these days conduct most of their processes digitally. On one hand, this is great because it speeds up transactions, improves data accuracy, and so on, allowing for faster and more efficient IT business development. But the heavy reliance on digital data brings new risks of data loss or damage. All businesses should have a good backup and disaster recovery plan to lessen these risks. We will explain to you what is BDR and how it impacts businesses.

An Introduction to What is BDR

BDR stands for “backup and disaster recovery.” It is a set of solutions that make sure data is safe and can be recovered after a disaster. A BDR plan aims to protect a business and maintain the continuity of operations despite any mishaps.

We often consider BDR solutions a defense against cyberattacks, which are becoming more frequent in recent years. But they are also beneficial in other circumstances, like keeping a business safe after a natural disaster or in any situation where the company’s data is at risk.

What a Sound BDR Strategy Can Do for Your Business

The lack of a proper BDR solution can have a negative impact on your business. At the very least, it can cause disruptions to your operation as your staff scrambles to recover all your data. In worst-case scenarios, you might not only find yourself with a destroyed business, but you may also face lawsuits as a repercussion of the disaster.

But if you have a tried-and-true BDR solution protecting your data, more than likely, you won’t have to face these dreadful scenarios. In addition, there are multiple other benefits that you can enjoy, such as the following.

Protection against Data Loss and Damage

There are so many ways for digital data to get lost, stolen, or damaged. It can happen through a data breach, a cyberattack, a system failure, human error, or a natural disaster. But if your business has a trusty BDR plan, it will protect your data despite any of these unfortunate incidents.

Better Data Security

Data security is integral to IT business development. A good BDR system makes sure of this by keeping a copy of all your business data, like contracts, transactions, client profiles, and so on, in a safe and remote location. Through high-tech encryption tools and physical security measures, we should protect data backups both physically and digitally.

Customer Retention

If you are not prepared for a disaster, you could lose hours or even days of downtime as you try to get everything back in order. Your clients will not be very forgiving of such situations and will probably leave and take their business to your competitors. With a sound BDR plan, you can have a quick and complete recovery, and your customers can have peace of mind and will not have a reason to leave.

Evaluating Your BDR Strategy

If your IT provider has already set up a BDR solution for your business, that’s great. But do you know how dependable it is? If disaster strikes, are you sure your defenses will hold up and keep your system and data protected?

Discover the impact that a BDR plan has on your business. Learn how the BDR plan affects your employees and the growth of your enterprise. For ideas and tips on creating your BDR strategy, download our FREE infographic or watch the video HERE.

We can also assess your existing BDR plan and make the necessary adjustments to make it perfectly suitable for your business needs. Call us today for a consultation!

The Role of Technology in Businesses in 2023

Technology has always played a key role in businesses across different industries in 2023. But recently, this role has grown even more because IT is used more and more in businesses around the world. To draw more customers and stay ahead of the competition, you should understand all the changes and use them to your advantage.

Technology Trends in Businesses to Look Out for in 2023

grow your business in 2023

Many trends in technology are useful in growing businesses in 2023, as discussed in our first blog this month, 8 Ways Technology Will Grow Your Business in 2023. You don’t need to use all of them – just take your pick depending on your industry and the nature of your business. There are some kinds of technology, however, that can add value to just about every industry, like the following:

Artificial Intelligence

Commonly used today for online shopping, digital assistants, and fraud prevention, AI can make your operations faster and more efficient while freeing up a lot of time and other resources for your business.

Cloud Computing

Cloud-based solutions virtually take away the boundaries to how you operate your business. It gives you access to software, infrastructure, and other resources you could only dream of before.

Automation

So many processes that used to be done manually are now automated through technology in businesses, especially in 2023. This transition speeds up operations, reduces the risk of human error, and makes for a much better customer experience.

Internet of Things

Now that software, sensors, and other things can connect almost everything, we are living in the age of connectivity. The IoT provides many ways for businesses to save time and increase efficiency, but it also opens up new security risks, so we must exercise due caution.

Vendor Management Technology in Businesses in 2023

Working with vendors is a more complicated task than many assume. To reduce risks, you need to keep costs low and get the most out of your vendors. With the aid of a good VMS, all this is possible without breaking a sweat.

The Importance of Cybersecurity Technology in Businesses in 2023

Technology Trends for Cybersecurity

As technology in businesses advances in 2023, so does the risk of online threats. For this reason, it is more important than ever to protect your business with a dependable cybersecurity solution.

As we talked about in our blog post on week 2, Top 8 Technology Trends and How They Impact Cybersecurity, each current technology trend has its own impact on cybersecurity. Some are good, and some are not so good. You can read more about it by checking out our blog here.

Perks of Working with a Managed Service Provider

Changing your IT provider
Tired Caucasian bearded 40s middle-aged businessman employee man typing laptop feels failure upset with loss of information online error stressed looking at the computer screen suffering from headache pressure. High-quality photo

Staying updated on all the changes in technology in businesses can be tiresome in 2023. Typically, business owners would not have the time to do it themselves. But there is a way to enjoy the benefits of technology for your business—by partnering with a managed services provider.

If you currently already have an IT provider but are not always happy about the service you are getting, it might be time to make a change. Changing your MSP is a bold move that must not be taken lightly. In our week 3 blog entitled When Is It Time to Change Your IT Provider? we list some signs that tell you to find a new provider.

A reliable MSP can give you all that IT offers and make it work for your business, just like we do at Our Company. We can provide everything from simple IT consultation to business automation, vendor management, cybersecurity, and anything technology-related that can help grow your business.

One of our areas of expertise is vendor management. This is quite an underrated aspect of business that needs more attention as it deals with crucial business expenses that impact growth. Click here for more about our vendor management services and how they can benefit your business.

When Is It Time to Start Changing Your IT Provider?

Changing your IT provider is not an exciting task. Finding a new one can be stressful. You need to find one that will serve your needs to the highest standards and that you can trust to keep your best interests at heart. Because of the difficulties, many companies choose to slug it out with the one they have even though they are no longer satisfied with the services they are getting.

For some businesses, this kind of setup might still be manageable. But what if you are when your company is already taking losses because of poor service, and you don’t even realize it? How do you know if changing your IT provider is already a must? Here are five signs that you should look out for.

No Dedicated IT Team

When working with an IT provider or managed services provider, you should have a contact person or team you can work with. This plan contrasts with just relying on whoever answers your call. A dedicated team would understand your business and your corporate goals and know how to tie it up with the right IT services to produce the best results.

No Monthly Contract

If you need to pay your provider by the hour, or for every time you require their services, this will not be very economical for your business. When they do not address the problem, and you would need to call them again and pay them again, it makes little sense. You should change your IT provider to one that offers a fixed monthly contract, regardless of how many times you call them.

Use of Outdated Resources

Technology changes constantly. Just because the software or equipment your provider initially used was innovative at the time doesn’t mean that it won’t need to be replaced. A good MSP knows to upgrade resources so that the service they give you is always better or, at the very least, at par with current industry standards.

Inadequate Data Security is A Sign to Start Changing Your IT Provider

Cybersecurity can never be emphasized enough, especially in the world of business nowadays. The threats are getting more rampant and dangerous each day, and companies need to be vigilant. Switch If you feel that your IT provider is not giving you the best cybersecurity solutions your business requires. It doesn’t matter how much they excel in other aspects. It’s not worth it if your business does not have protection.

Changing Your IT Provider Who Is Slow to Respond

When you contact your IT provider, they should give you a prompt response. Every second wasted during a critical network issue or system failure can cost your business greatly. They should at least communicate clearly with you regarding the issue and their proposed solution for a problem.

Final Thoughts on Changing Your IT Provider

The temptation of staying with your current provider can be strong. At least you already know their limitations rather than take the risk on a new provider altogether, right? But then, this would mean continuing to take losses, waste resources, and miss out on great business opportunities.

If you are considering changing your IT provider, Our company is ready and capable of taking over. We have a wide range of managed services for many different industries.  We’d be happy to be your IT partner. To learn more about the services we offer, click here.

If you’re looking for help managing your vendors, download our Free Infographic for helpful tips. You can also call us so that we can discuss the best IT solutions for your business.

8 Top Technology Trends for Cybersecurity

Cybersecurity is vital for protecting corporate and personal data from hackers and other cybercriminals. A single breach can cause massive amounts of data and financial loss. It can ultimately lead to the complete downfall of a company and even the destruction of lives. Fortunately, the top technology trends for cybersecurity of recent years provide us with multiple ways to boost cybersecurity. You just need to know which areas you should focus on to guard your business against cyber threats.

Artificial Intelligence

Artificial intelligence, or AI, plays a vital role in improving cybersecurity. The most prominent use is in threat detection. A platform that uses AI can instantly pinpoint incoming threats and thwart most attacks. Likewise, the same platform can start the corresponding response, like setting off security procedures. This is considered one of the top technology trends for cybersecurity.

Technology Trends for Cybersecurity: Cloud-Based Solutions

Most companies have migrated to the cloud for better business efficiency and growth. Several cloud-based solutions are used to improve detection to protect all cloud-based data, apps, and infrastructure. CASB, SAST, CIEM, CWWP, CSPM, and SASE are popular options available today.

Cybersecurity Solutions

Cybersecurity solutions have evolved in response to changing tech trends. For instance, the top technology trends in 2023 involve cloud computing and mobile devices. So, to stay safe in these situations, you need to focus your cybersecurity efforts in the right places.

Internet of Things

Another area leading technology trends today is the Internet of Things. As the IoT grows, with more devices, machines, and even animals or people now interconnected through the Internet, the risk of hacking and data breaches expands into an entirely new area. Investing in IoT cybersecurity is a smart move for keeping your business safe, but to date, there is still a large amount of risk involved, so we advise users to be extra careful.

Technology Trends for Cybersecurity: Automation

Time is of the essence in dealing with cybersecurity challenges. You can’t waste a second before acting because that second can cost you more damage than you can fathom. With security automation, threats like malware, phishing, and others are easily detected. The system can also execute the response immediately, thus minimizing potential damage.

Vendor Management

Online threats come from all directions, even from business dealings with suppliers. Not that your vendor would purposely infiltrate your data, but there is no shortage of 3rd- or 4th party entities that would take advantage of such transactions to instigate their own cyberattack. For these kinds of problems to happen less often, a safe way to manage vendors should include a thorough risk assessment for each one.

Renewable Energy

The increased usage of renewable energy is good for the environment. But on the downside, switching to renewable energy also creates new cybersecurity risks. That’s why a relatively new area of technology known as “solar cybersecurity” had to be created. There are still a lot of vulnerabilities that need to be addressed, and IT experts around the world are currently working on them.

Technology Trends for Cybersecurity: Quantum Computing

Quantum computing could lead to major leaps forward in AI, medical research, and a lot of other fields. But quantum computers will be so powerful that they will get around the current encryption methods. For our own safety, we should update our cybersecurity systems before quantum computers finally arrive and hackers get their hands on them.

The top technology trends of 2023 bring with them both improvements and new risks in terms of cybersecurity. The key to staying protected is always being aware, and partnering with a trusty managed services provider who can help you stay two steps ahead of hackers. That is what we do here.

Click here to learn more about how we use technology to manage your vendors. Or call us today to schedule a free consultation!

8 Ways Technology Will Grow Your Business in 2023

Technology continues to play a role in the growth of businesses. But if you can’t keep up with what’s going on in your field, you might fall behind in the competition. Even worse, you might put your business at huge risk in online safety. That is an absolute no-no if you want to grow your business in 2023.

The rapid changes in technology in 2023 might seem scary, but don’t let them overwhelm you. All you need to do is stay on top of whatever technology is available and use it to your advantage. And the first step to achieving this is awareness. Hence, to give you a heads-up, here are 8 ways technology will grow your business in 2023.

Use Artificial Intelligence to Grow Your Business in 2023

Created to replicate the way humans think, artificial intelligence is now found in vast and diverse applications. AI is used a lot in business for online shopping, advertising, web search, digital assistants, stopping fraud, and more. The two most notable benefits of AI are that it saves you time and resources and gives you more detailed insights that will help you improve your business.

Cloud-Based Solutions

Cloud-based solutions are among the most significant technologies to help grow your business in 2023. Instead of limiting your business to the limited physical resources you have, cloud solutions give you a lot of ways to grow your business. Aside from the web-based services readily available, there are business-focused cloud solutions like SaaS, IaaS, PaaS, and many more.

Cybersecurity Solutions

As technology grows, so do the capabilities of hackers. This threat means the need for reliable cybersecurity measures is more critical now than ever. Fortunately, there are many ways that you can use modern technology to boost your defenses. Always stay a few steps ahead of cybercriminals by equipping your system with the latest cybersecurity tools and solutions. Simple things like multi-factor authentication or phishing simulations can go a long way.

Internet of Things

The Internet of Things, or IoT, refers to the network of objects, devices, and data systems that connect through sensors and software applications. Because practically everything is located online, the IoT plays a role in keeping your business in line with current technology trends. Through IoT, you can eliminate some of your business’ overhead costs and boost efficiency by a large margin. This will help reduce business finances and help grow your business in 2023.

Automation to Grow Your Business in 2023

Time is a precious resource, and with time management, automation is a godsend. Automation technology is very advanced. It is now easy to automate processes in lead generation, sales, e-commerce, and even customer service. Take advantage of the simplification that it brings and watch your business grow at a much faster rate.

Vendor Management

For a smaller business, vendor management is a relatively simple process that is done manually. But as your business grows and you add more suppliers, you can use a more effective way to keep costs down, get the most out of each one, and reduce risks. It’s time to upgrade to a more modern and capable VMS or vendor management system, for your operations.

Renewable Energy

Using renewable energy was not so popular back in the day when fossil fuels and other traditional energy sources were more popular. But with technology in 2023, not only is it much more affordable to use renewable energy today, but it saves millions of dollars for many industries.

Quantum Computing to Grow Your Business in 2023

Quantum computing is one area of technology that businesses should keep an eye on in 2023, even though it isn’t as common as the other examples. Research in quantum technology is moving forward quickly. This new technology will make improvements to both software and hardware, which is great for business growth.

As we said, technology can be daunting but empowering at the same time. If you are ready to benefit from the latest IT advances but a bit of hesitation is holding you back, we are right here! From explaining the need for a reliable managed service provider to being your partner in using technology to grow your business, GlitchBusters has got your back.

To download our Free Infographic on why you need Vendor Management,click hereCall us today for a free consultation!

IT Compliance and Why It Is Important for Your Business

In running a business, there are a lot of important matters that need to be taken care of. Even if they are not really in line with the core competencies of the business. One such matter is IT compliance. In the last few weeks, we have been talking about compliance and how it is important to your business.

IT Compliance

What Is IT Compliance?

One of our recent blogs gives a brief but enlightening overview of what IT compliance is all about. In a nutshell, it is the process of complying with the rules, regulations and requirements set by a third party, which aim to reduce the risk for your organization and allow you to operate within the location or industry under their jurisdiction.

IT Security

How Is IT Compliance Different from IT Security?

IT security is another term that we are all familiar with, especially these days when online fraud, data breaches and other kinds of cyberattacks are so prevalent. In another recent blog, we list the differences between IT security and compliance, and also how they are similar in some ways.

The Similarities

IT Compliance and security can be quite confusing to a lot of people, with many mistakenly thinking that they are the same concept. This is understandable as both do have to do with the protection of your organization amidst the threat-filled online environment. That is, both reduce the risk for your business and let you operate more smoothly.

Also, both compliance and security are vital for gaining and maintaining the trust of your clients. By showing that your system is secure and fully compliant with all industry and legal standards, you can attract customers and build a positive reputation much more easily.

The Differences

One of the primary differences between IT compliance and IT security is that the former is only to fulfill the requirements set by a third party, while the latter is done for the actual protection of one’s business or company. As such, IT security usually involves much more stringent safety measures and protocols that aim to keep your system as safe as possible.

Another difference is that IT security is an ongoing process that needs to be maintained 24/7 while compliance is done as soon as the requesting party is satisfied. The requirements for compliance remain more or less the same for a very long time, while security needs can change very often as it needs to address the continually evolving strategies used by hackers day in and day out.

Achieving Compliance

Why Compliance Should Be a Team Effort

Compliance is considered by many as routine work that only requires the minimum requirements set by a third party. With that only one individual is working on compliance for the company. But compliance is actually a much more significant and much larger task than that. In yet another blog, we discuss the reasons why compliance should be a team effort for any organization.

Among these reasons is that there are plenty of discussions that need to take place before full compliance is complete. Some of the most crucial issues to talk about our email encryption, data encryption, firewalls, backups, data availability, and storage. If you don’t work on these matters, it can lead to fines and penalties for your company. Worse, it could leave gaps in your security system that hackers can easily get through.

We have a 10-step guideline that you can follow if you think there is a hacker in this infographic.

But of course, we don’t want things to go that far. To minimize the risk of that happening, you need to put due effort into compliance. It won’t be practical or wise to expect just one person to complete this sensitive work. We highly recommend delegating the work to a team of experts who can guarantee that all requirements are complete. This will let your organization be fully compliant in no time at all.

To find out more about how we can help, just call us today and we will schedule a free consultation!

Achieving Compliance as a Team

Before your company can fully comply with all the requirements set by third parties like regulatory bodies and clients, there are dozens upon dozens of tasks that need to be completed. These tasks are spread across different areas of the company and are impossible for just one individual to accomplish. The process of achieving compliance would require a fast and thorough team of compliance specialists.

Vital Matters to Discuss when achieving compliance

In most cases achieving compliance failures can be attributed to a lack of planning and communication. To avoid these problems, bring your compliance team together right from the start and discuss all the crucial matters.

Email Encryption

Daily, hundreds of emails can go back and forth in your company. You need a reliable encryption system to protect all emails and keep all data away from these hackers.

Data Encryption

Customer data, credit card information, and other data must all pass through a secure collection system to avoid theft or exposure to unauthorized parties. This method is crucial when achieving compliance.

Firewalls

Skilled hackers can easily override some firewalls. If you are still using an older firewall try upgrading to a multi-level system for a much better defense against unwanted intruders.

Backups

Data backups are your lifeline of a system failure or cyberattack and are crucial when achieving compliance. It is crucial to create backups regularly and store them in a safe location in a system that complies with client and government requirements.

Data Availability and Storage when achieving compliance

Sensitive information within your business must only be accessible to authorized individuals. There should be a surefire method of restricting access to sensitive information to minimize data breaches.

Physical Access

Maximizing digital security is critical, but you must not take physical safety measures for granted. Every employee should shut down their computers properly after use. Screen filters might be necessary when achieving compliance for some workstations with sensitive data.

Responsibilities of the Internal Compliance Officer to achieving compliance

In addition to choosing a highly skilled IT compliance team, you also need an internal compliance officer on your payroll when achieving compliance. Their primary duty would be to monitor the staff and ensure that each one abides by compliance procedures—locking their systems when they leave their workstations, practicing caution when using credit card information and private company data, and so on.

Regular cybersecurity training is also part of the responsibilities of the internal compliance officer. Quarterly training is ideal for keeping employees aware of the pervasive dangers online. When new employees join the team, they should receive training on compliance policies as well.

Finally, it is also the internal compliance officer who maintains compliance-related documentation such as communication standards and backup plans.

Delegating Compliance to an MSP

Even businesses that are not in the IT industry will need to comply with several IT regulations when achieving compliance. If you do not have an in-house tech team and if your staff does not have the expertise or experience to handle the task, there’s no need to worry. MSPs, or managed services providers, can take these technical matters off your hands.

If you partner with us, we will assign your company a team of compliance experts who will ensure that you meet all relevant requirements. Whether you need to fulfill requirements for HIPAA, PCI DSS, GDPR, NIST, or any other regulatory authority, we will take care of it to completion. Give us a call, our team will also coordinate closely with your organization to ensure we meet all requirements. You can also check out our Free Cybersecurity Infographic if you’re looking for great advice to keep your business safe in the meantime.

What Is IT Security and IT Compliance?

IT security and IT compliance are two essential matters for any business or organization. Many people think they are the same, while others frequently confuse one for the other. They are not the same thing, but when implemented together, they can provide maximum digital safety and minimize the risk of data breaches and other online threats. In this article, we’ll explain which is which and why both require your attention.

What Is IT Security?

As the term implies, IT security refers to ensuring the security of a company’s or organization’s IT infrastructure. When creating a security strategy for your business, IT security experts usually have two goals to achieve. First, it should be able to thwart cyberattacks that will damage the system or put the company’s data in danger. Second, it should give attackers a way to do as little damage as possible if they get through the defenses.

When developing an IT security strategy, a few key points must be considered. Some of the most important ones are the confidentiality of sensitive data, the integrity of the system, and the accessibility of vital information and systems.

With these goals in mind, it is easy to see that IT security involves best practices to guarantee the safety and protection of an organization, regardless of the industry or size of the business.

What Is IT Compliance?

IT compliance is about meeting the needs of a third party so that the business operations or services are accepted. For example, governments have rules about technology that companies must follow if they want to do business legally in the government’s territory. Some industries also have specific IT guidelines that we must follow. IT compliance also includes meeting the contractual terms of a client or customer.

Most times, IT compliance overlaps with IT security. Many of the requirements have to do with protecting the system and data. However, the purpose of IT compliance is to meet specific requirements. If you can’t meet these requirements, you might not get a license or certification that you need, or a potential client might not choose you for their project.

What Are the Differences between IT Security and Compliance?

Although they have some similarities, IT security and IT compliance have three major differences.

1. What They Protect

IT security protects your business’s data and IT infrastructure. This is done by using best practices and the best protection possible. IT compliance safeguards your company’s operations by ensuring that all rules are followed. This protection lets your business run smoothly and without problems.

2. Who They Benefit

Your company is the one that benefits from IT security procedures because it is your data and your network that are guarded from online risks. With IT compliance, you have some benefits, but its primary purpose is to meet the demands of a third party.

3. How They Are Implemented

IT compliance is when a third party sets specific requirements, and once these requirements are met, the job is considered done. But IT security requires ongoing upgrades and maintenance to fight current threats. It needs to change with your business and may need to be updated and improved all the time.

If you need help with either of these aspects of your business, it is best to enlist the services of experts rather than attempt to tackle it with limited skill or experience.

We can prepare a solid strategy to keep your company protected, and we can help your business recover quickly if you become the victim of a cyberattack. Just give us a call, and we’ll be on it right away! In the meantime, download our FREE Infographic to learn Ten Tips on what to do after you’ve been hacked.

What Is IT Compliance?

The term IT compliance is frequently heard these days in relation to running an organization and making sure that they keep within the regulations of a third party or a specific client. It is essentially a process that companies go through in order to keep within these predetermined guidelines or boundaries. The main goal of IT compliance is to satisfy the minimum requirements when it comes to security implementation and risk reduction.

IT Compliance versus IT Security

There is a blurry line between IT compliance and IT security, with many people confusing one for the other. While both aim to ensure the security of a company or organization in the digital environment, the level of commitment involved can be very different.

With IT security, the implementing body will go to great lengths to keep the assets of the organization as protected as can be. They will utilize the most cutting-edge technology solutions to safeguard against any and all possible online threats known to man. In other words, IT security aims to follow best practices for the protection of the system or network.

IT compliance, on the other hand, simply aims to satisfy the minimum requirements of a third party, like the government or a contracting agent. Such third parties might have their own set of regulations that a company will have to fulfill in order to continue with operations. Such fulfillment of these regulations is what IT compliance is all about.

The Importance of IT Compliance in Cybersecurity

Although it does not necessarily guarantee that your company will be completely safe from online mishaps, IT compliance is a must. For starters, you won’t be able to continue operating if you fail to comply with even one small regulation.

Much more importantly, complying with IT rules and guidelines greatly reduces the risk that you face online. Of course, it is the third party that determines the standards of risk reduction. If you feel that the security procedures that they require are not enough to completely protect you online, you are free to implement even more advanced security measures that meet your needs.

In many cases, though, the simple act of IT compliance will already put you in a much safer place. In your own company, you can create your own compliance program that will effectively manage online risks and avert online attacks that could potentially lead to a dangerous data breach.

How a Managed Services Provider Can Help

Many companies, particularly those that are not directly operating in the IT industry, are not well-versed when it comes to IT compliance and such matters. In this case, the best move would be to partner with a reliable managed services provider that can take care of all the hard work and technical stuff for you.

We will guarantee that you comply with all the IT requirements that apply to your industry, region, or whatnot. We can also design and implement your own IT compliance program to further protect you from online dangers. Furthermore, we will train your employees on the best practices for ensuring IT compliance and protecting your network and data.

If, however, you feel that you have already been hacked, we have provided a free 10-step guide on what you should do to quickly remediate and be on the fastest road to recovery.

Many companies tend to be lax when it comes to IT compliance, only to learn their lesson after becoming victim to a data breach, by which it would be too late. Don’t wait for this to happen to your organization. Give us a call, and let us take care of your IT compliance requirements today and give you the best cybersecurity solutions so you can continue running your business in peace without having to worry about online threats.

February Recap: Personal Identifiable Information (PII) In Data Security

This month, we focused on a variety of topics regarding personal identifiable information (PII). PII includes an individual’s name, address, phone number, and medical history. In this digital age, PII is increasingly being stolen from unsuspecting individuals and organizations alike. PII allows cybercriminals to easily access financial accounts, and commit identity theft, and other crimes.

You can never really underestimate these hackers and the havoc they can wreak. Just to give you an idea, take a look at some of our latest blogs about PII.

Breaches

Week 1: Top Data Breaches in 2022

In one of our recent blogs, we enumerate the top 10 data breaches in 2022 so far. These data breaches have resulted in millions of dollars worth of losses and have affected millions of unsuspecting individuals.

Data Breaches to Steal Money

Cryptocurrency websites have been attacked, with about $33 million stolen from Crypto.com in January and $625 million from Ronin Crypto, also within the first quarter of the year. Microsoft and Twitter have also been victims of massive attacks, which they are fortunately able to catch shortly.

Data Breaches to Steal Personal Identifiable Information

Other massive data breaches in the year have involved stolen credit card information sold on the dark web, insurance, and healthcare records stolen from the Australian healthcare and insurance company called Medibank, and data on missing persons stolen from Red Cross.

How Data Breaches Happen

The hacker used someone’s personal information to break into the company’s highly protected network, causing these data breaches.

identifiable Information

Week 2: Understanding Personal Identifiable Information

Personal identifiable information or PII refers to any data or detail that can be used to unequivocally identify an individual. Some of the more popularly used PII are a person’s full name, social security number, and biometrics. We talk more about PII in another of our recent blogs.

Because of the power that these bits of information wield, hackers aim to collect them by whatever means necessary. Once they get their hands on this critical data, they will be able to easily gain access to restricted areas of companies, both online and offline.

Securing Information with a Data Privacy Framework

The importance of personal identifiable information is very clear. With this in mind, it is just as important to keep this data as safe as possible. One of the best ways to ensure this is to use a reliable data privacy framework.

There are many existing ones that you can use but for the highest level of protection, it is best that you have your own framework, designed and built specifically for your company. With such a security solution in place, you can be more at ease knowing that you are better protected against potential intruders.

pii

Week 3: Protecting Your Personal Identifiable Information

In week three, we talk about specific things you can do to protect your personal identifiable information. Because no matter how much you trust your data privacy strategy, you should still take all the steps you can to be ahead of hackers at all times. Our guide lists some effective ways to protect your PII both online and offline. Read the full blog here.

Recovering from Getting Hacked

So, you have been very careful and you have done everything that you are supposed to do to keep your PII safe. But despite all this, it is still possible for some really ingenious hackers to get into your system. In case that happens, here is our Free Breach Infographic that tells you how to quickly recover from whatever damage has been done. Want to learn more about PII and how to keep your data safe? Call us today and let’s have a talk!