How a Data Security Self-Assessment Can Impact Your Business

How good is your data security? And more importantly, how do you know? You may think that since you haven’t had any issues with cyber-attacks or data breaches, you’re ok, but that way of thinking can be dangerous. How do you really know that you are protected? Leveraging a self-assessment of your data security best practices in any size company is an excellent way to be proactive against cyber security threats.

Most Businesses Aren’t Prepared for a Data Breach

Businesses, both small and large, have seen an increase in data breaches and cyber-threats in recent years. Many businesses don’t realize how much the recovery from a data breach can cost in terms of time, money, and reputation. The level of complexity in responding to a data breach is significant, and it can devastate small and medium-sized businesses. Being proactive and taking the right steps before a data breach is the best way to protect your business.

If Your Business is Small, Do You Really Need to Invest in Data Security?

You may think your small business wouldn’t interest any cyber-criminal, but unfortunately, that’s not true, and that thinking can bring serious risk. It’s easy to put your guard down when you’ve never experienced a threat, but the truth is that any size company is vulnerable to cyber-attacks. In fact, a smaller business will often become a target since it’s likely they don’t have the resources available for a quick response and recovery.

The Value of CSR Readiness Pro

AccuShred is a full-service provider for data security solutions, and has partnered with CSR Readiness Pro to offer a multi-layered strategy against potential data breaches, and it all starts with a self-assessment. From a self-assessment data privacy questionnaire, you’ll learn about potential weak points in your data security so you can address them before someone else – with very different motives – finds them first. Once you identify your weak points, CSR will recommend remediation tasks to help your business amend, adjust, and improve your data security practices. If the unfortunate circumstances arise where your company data is breached, CSR has a response plan you can leverage as well. CSR’s patented Breach Reporting Service will assist you with the legal requirements to report the breach. CSR will take the worry and hassle out of reporting the loss and breach, and can help mitigate fines and protect your reputation.

What is Involved in a Risk Assessment?

In a risk assessment, your business will determine the key business objectives and identify the information technology assets that are essential to these objectives. Then, you will identify cyber-attacks that could adversely impact those assets, determine the likelihood of those attacks occurring, and the impact the attack would have. In a nutshell, you’ll build a complete picture of the threat. After a risk assessment, you’ll be able to make informed choices about how and where to improve security.

Cyber-criminals are always looking for new ways to get your data. Every time you stop them at one point, they will go looking for another. Even if you think your risk is low, letting your guard down can set you up for a catastrophic data breach that will damage both your reputation and your bottom line. Making use of CSR Readiness Pro to do an honest self-assessment and develop a plan is the best way to protect your company and your assets. To learn more about how we can help you keep your business data secure, contact AccuShred today.