Having worked with a number of different clients over the years, I have learned that keeping their data secure should always be a top priority. This comes from first hand experience of having my own accounts hacked and seeing clients get their accounts hacked.
As marketers we are responsible for the collection and storage of sensitive information such as personal data, financial information and login credentials. This makes us priority targets for those looking to steal that information. As targets we are daily exposed to cyber attacks from fraudsters impersonating the platforms we work on. It is up to us, and our marketing teams, to make sure that we are doing all we can to keep this information secure.
Here are some steps that your marketing team can take to stay cyber secure:
- Use strong and unique passwords: Encourage your team members to use strong and unique passwords for all of their accounts, and to change them regularly. This will make it much harder for cyber criminals to gain access to your team’s accounts.
- Educate your team on phishing scams: Phishing scams are one of the most common ways that cyber criminals gain access to sensitive information. Educate your team members on what to look for in a phishing scam and how to avoid falling victim to one.
- Use a VPN: A virtual private network (VPN) encrypts all of the data that is sent and received over the internet, making it much more difficult for cyber criminals to intercept it. Encourage your team members to use a VPN when working remotely or on public Wi-Fi networks.
- Keep software and systems updated: Make sure that your team’s computers, phones and other devices are running the latest versions of their operating systems and other software. This will ensure that any security vulnerabilities are patched and your team’s data is protected.
- Limit access to sensitive information: Make sure that only those team members who need access to sensitive information have it. This will reduce the risk of that information falling into the wrong hands.
- Regularly backup your data: Regularly backing up your team’s data is essential in case of a cyber attack or other disaster. Make sure your team knows how to back up their data and that it is being backed up regularly
- Implement a security incident response plan: Make sure that your marketing team knows what to do in case of a security incident, and that they have a clear plan in place for responding to a breach.
Don’t make it easy on the scammers trying to steal you information. By taking these steps, your marketing team can greatly reduce their risk of falling victim to a cyber attack, while keeping your company’s data secure.
