Chances are your business runs on data. Even if you’re only using stored data for marketing purposes, it’s still a crucial part of your business. If a disaster happens, are you ready to recover your lost data? A surprising number of companies may not be able to answer this question.
While ensuring data availability with disaster recovery plans is a start, it’s not your only solution. You’re going to need additional tools to prevent data loss.
Different Types of Data Loss Prevention Tools
A data recovery plan (DRP) addresses retrieving lost data and minimizing the associated risks. Along with planning for a disaster, you should also be taking steps to prevent one. There are three primary types of data loss prevention tools. You can take advantage of all, a couple, or only one. The point is to utilize every tool at your disposal to keep your stored data safe.
The three main types of data loss prevention tools are:
- Endpoint DLP: Enables auditing and managing the types of activities users (staff) take on sensitive items.
- Network DLP: Monitors user (staff) behavior on the network to detect data exfiltration.
- Cloud DLP: Keeps your information safe from cyberattacks, insider threats, and accidental exposure.
Okay, now that you have a general idea of the types of tools available, it’s time to look at the various features. You’ll probably find some of the features are must-haves, and others you may not know what to do with. This is perfectly fine, remember, every business has unique data loss prevention needs.
Common Features of Data Loss Prevention Tools
The software effectively monitors your data by performing continuous scans. The scans search for any potential risks that include unauthorized access. Unauthorized access is a common issue. Even though it’s frequently caused by staff accidentally trying to access data, it can also be an indication hackers are searching for a way into your network.
Along with monitoring, the software is also designed to block unauthorized access. Don’t worry, it’s not as extreme as whistles and warning lights going off. However, you should expect to receive a message notifying you of the suspected attempted breach; this way you can identify if it is an internal mistake or a more serious threat. Sometimes, knowing that there’s the potential that someone can get in is enough to prevent any actual damage from occurring.
The data loss prevention tools also come with a handy forensic analysis tool. This can be invaluable in preventing a cybersecurity breach. The tool can help identify any vulnerabilities in your network and even make the necessary upgrades. This is one less thing your IT department needs to keep on their plate. However, remember these are only tools. Don’t rely solely on data prevention tools to keep your network and data safe.
Tips on Safeguarding Your Data and Ensuring Availability
Along with data prevention tools, there are a few other steps you can take to ensure your data isn’t irretrievably lost. This can include using software-based infrastructure. What is software-based infrastructure?
You may be more familiar with its acronym, IaaS (infrastructure as a service). This is a cloud computing model that provides software as a service. In other words, your data is stored in the cloud. You can choose either a public, private, or hybrid cloud.
Since your data and network are stored off-site, it’s easier to retrieve and harder for hackers to potentially breach.
Other tips include the following:
- Remove any unnecessary data; you may be surprised at what you’re holding on to. Only keep the data necessary for business operations. This way, if a disaster occurs, you’re not spending hours searching for data you’re probably never going to use.
- Don’t forget to back up your data frequently. You probably don’t need to back up your data multiple times a day. You may even be able to go a week or so without backing everything up. However, create a data backup plan and stick with it.
- You may also want to consider having multiple access routes to the data, which can include multiple storage methods. For example, storing your data in the cloud and keeping some on your on-site hardware.
Most importantly, have an effective data recovery plan. Even the best data loss prevention tools aren’t infallible: disasters can still happen, and you want to be ready to meet any challenge.
Preventing Data Loss is Possible
Equipping your organization with the right disaster recovery and data protection tools is a critical step in fortifying your defenses against data loss in the event of a disaster. These tools, which range from robust backup solutions to advanced cybersecurity measures, can significantly mitigate the risk of losing valuable data due to unforeseen events such as cyber-attacks, natural disasters, or system failures.
However, possessing these tools is only part of the solution; it's equally important to ensure that they are regularly updated and maintained. This includes performing routine software updates, testing backup systems, and revising disaster recovery protocols to address emerging threats and technological advancements.
Online Threat Alerts Security Tips
Pay the safest way
Credit cards are the safest way to pay for online purchases because you can dispute the charges if you never get the goods or services or if the offer was misrepresented. Federal law limits your liability to $50 if someone makes unauthorized charges to your account, and most credit card issuers will remove them completely if you report the problem promptly.
Guard your personal information
In any transaction you conduct, make sure to check with your state or local consumer protection agency and the Better Business Bureau (BBB) to see if the seller, charity, company, or organization is credible. Be especially wary if the entity is unfamiliar to you. Always call the number found on a website’s contact information to make sure the number legitimately belongs to the entity you are dealing with.
Be careful of the information you share
Never give out your codes, passwords or personal information, unless you are sure of who you're dealing with
Know who you’re dealing with
Crooks pretending to be from companies you do business with may call or send an email, claiming they need to verify your personal information. Don’t provide your credit card or bank account number unless you are actually paying for something and know who you are sending payment to. Your social security number should not be necessary unless you are applying for credit. Be especially suspicious if someone claiming to be from a company with whom you have an account asks for information that the business already has.
Check your accounts
Regularly check your account transactions and report any suspicious or unauthorised transactions.
Don’t believe promises of easy money
If someone claims that you can earn money with little or no work, get a loan or credit card even if you have bad credit, or make money on an investment with little or no risk, it’s probably a scam. Oftentimes, offers that seem too good to be true, actually are too good to be true.
Do not open email from people you don’t know
If you are unsure whether an email you received is legitimate, try contacting the sender directly via other means. Do not click on any links in an email unless you are sure it is safe.
Think before you click
If an email or text message looks suspicious, don’t open any attachments or click on the links.
Verify urgent requests or unsolicited emails, messages or phone calls before you respond
If you receive a message or a phone call asking for immediate action and don't know the sender, it could be a phishing message.
Be careful with links and new website addresses
Malicious website addresses may appear almost identical to legitimate sites. Scammers often use a slight variation in spelling or logo to lure you. Malicious links can also come from friends whose email has unknowingly been compromised, so be careful.
Secure your personal information
Before providing any personal information, such as your date of birth, Social Security number, account numbers, and passwords, be sure the website is secure.
Stay informed on the latest cyber threats
Keep yourself up to date on current scams by visiting this website daily.
Use Strong Passwords
Strong passwords are critical to online security.
Keep your software up to date and maintain preventative software programs
Keep all of your software applications up to date on your computers and mobile devices. Install software that provides antivirus, firewall, and email filter services.
Update the operating systems on your electronic devices
Make sure your operating systems (OSs) and applications are up to date on all of your electronic devices. Older and unpatched versions of OSs and software are the target of many hacks. Read the CISA security tip on Understanding Patches and Software Updates for more information.
What if You Got Scammed?
Stop Contact With The Scammer
Hang up the phone. Do not reply to emails, messages, or letters that the scammer sends. Do not make any more payments to the scammer. Beware of additional scammers who may contact you claiming they can help you get your lost money back.
Secure Your Finances
- Report potentially compromised bank account, credit or debit card information to your financial institution(s) immediately. They may be able to cancel or reverse fraudulent transactions.
- Notify the three major credit bureaus. They can add a fraud alert to warn potential credit grantors that you may be a victim of identity theft. You may also want to consider placing a free security freeze on your credit report. Doing so prevents lenders and others from accessing your credit report entirely, which will prevent them from extending credit:
- Equifax
- Experian
- TransUnion
Check Your Computer
If your computer was accessed or otherwise affected by a scam, check to make sure that your anti-virus is up-to-date and running and that your system is free of malware and keylogging software. You may also need to seek the help of a computer repair company. Consider utilizing the Better Business Bureau’s website to find a reputable company.
Change Your Account Passwords
Update your bank, credit card, social media, and email account passwords to try to limit further unauthorized access. Make sure to choose strong passwords when changing account passwords.
Report The Scam
Reporting helps protect others. While agencies can’t always track down perpetrators of crimes against scammers, they can utilize the information gathered to record patterns of abuse which may lead to action being taken against a company or industry.
Report your issue to the following agencies based on the nature of the scam:
- Local Law Enforcement: Consumers are encouraged to report scams to their local police department or sheriff’s office, especially if you lost money or property or had your identity compromised.
- Federal Trade Commission: Contact the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at 1-877-FTC-HELP (1-877-382-4357) or use the Online Complaint Assistant to report various types of fraud, including counterfeit checks, lottery or sweepstakes scams, and more.
- Identitytheft.gov: If someone is using your personal information, like your Social Security, credit card, or bank account number, to open new accounts, make purchases, or get a tax refund, report it at www.identitytheft.gov. This federal government site will also help you create your Identity Theft Report and a personal recovery plan based on your situation. Questions can be directed to 877-ID THEFT.
How To Recognize a Phishing Scam
Scammers use email or text messages to try to steal your passwords, account numbers, or Social Security numbers. If they get that information, they could get access to your email, bank, or other accounts. Or they could sell your information to other scammers. Scammers launch thousands of phishing attacks like these every day — and they’re often successful.
Scammers often update their tactics to keep up with the latest news or trends, but here are some common tactics used in phishing emails or text messages:
Phishing emails and text messages often tell a story to trick you into clicking on a link or opening an attachment. You might get an unexpected email or text message that looks like it’s from a company you know or trust, like a bank or a credit card or utility company. Or maybe it’s from an online payment website or app. The message could be from a scammer, who might
- say they’ve noticed some suspicious activity or log-in attempts — they haven’t
- claim there’s a problem with your account or your payment information — there isn’t
- say you need to confirm some personal or financial information — you don’t
- include an invoice you don’t recognize — it’s fake
- want you to click on a link to make a payment — but the link has malware
- say you’re eligible to register for a government refund — it’s a scam
- offer a coupon for free stuff — it’s not real
About Online Threat Alerts (OTA)
Online Threat Alerts or OTA is an anti-cybercrime community that started in 2012. OTA alerts the public to cyber crimes and other web threats.
By alerting the public, we have prevented a lot of online users from getting scammed or becoming victims of cybercrimes.
With the ever-increasing number of people going online, it important to have a community like OTA that continuously alerts or protects those same people from cyber-criminals, scammers and hackers, who are every day finding new ways of carrying out their malicious activities.
Online users can help by reporting suspicious or malicious messages or websites to OTA. And, if they want to determine if a message or website is a threat or scam, they can use OTA's search engine to search for the website or parts of the message for information.
Help maintain Online Threat Alerts (OTA).