Over 90% of small businesses are at risk of data theft, making them prime targets for cybercriminals. Weak defences and valuable data make SMBs vulnerable to attacks that can disrupt operations and compromise sensitive information.
This guide reveals Fortune 500-inspired practices that even small businesses can adopt to protect their data—affordably and effectively.
6 Secrets of Fortune-500 Companies to Prevent Data Theft
1. Secure Your Emails Against Theft
- Threats: Phishing, impersonation, spoofing, and unauthorized account access.
- Strategies:
- Implement an email security tool (add-on to Microsoft and Google because they don’t do a good enough job) to block malicious attachments, phishing links, impersonation, spoofing, account takeover.
- Conduct phishing simulation exercises, twice a month, to train employees. Set up DMARC, DKIM, and SPF records to prevent domain spoofing.
- Monitor email activity for unauthorized logins.
- Free Tips: Enable multi-factor authentication (MFA) for email accounts to block unauthorized access. All email providers have this feature.
2. Protect Laptops and Desktops from Data Theft
- Threats: Malware, ransomware, USB-based data exfiltration, and credential theft.
- Strategies:
- Use EDR and anti-virus software to detect and block the latest malware and ransomware threats.
- Encrypt hard drives (e.g., BitLocker for Windows, FileVault for Mac) to secure data in case of theft.
- Lock USB ports to prevent unauthorized data transfer.
- Enable remote wipe capabilities to erase data from stolen devices.
- Require MFA for device login to prevent unauthorized access.
- Implement web filtering to block access to malicious websites and prevent malware downloads.
3. Implement Data Classification and DLP (Data Leak Protection) tool to Protect Sensitive Information
- Threats: Insider threats, unauthorized access, and accidental data leaks.
- Strategies:
- Classify data based on sensitivity levels (e.g., public, internal, confidential, or highly confidential).
- Encrypt sensitive data both at rest and in transit to ensure its security.
- Use data loss prevention (DLP) tools to block the transfer of sensitive information to unauthorized locations or individuals.
- Apply strict access controls and permissions, ensuring that only authorized personnel can access or modify sensitive data.
- Regularly review and update data classification policies to keep them aligned with evolving business needs and regulatory requirements.
4. Safeguard Mobile Devices
- Threats: Lost devices, unauthorized app usage, or unsecured data syncing.
- Strategies:
- Use Mobile Device Management (MDM) solutions to:
- Block sharing of corporate data for personal use
- Enforce device encryption and password policies.
- Remotely wipe stolen or lost devices.
- Restrict app installations to prevent risky apps.
- Encrypt data on mobile devices to secure sensitive files.
- Free Tips
- Enable biometric locks or complex PINs to secure devices.
- Use built-in tools like Find My Device (Android) or Find My iPhone to track or wipe devices remotely.
5. Web Protection and Internet Monitoring
- Threats: Malicious websites delivering ransomware or stealing credentials.
- Strategies:
- Deploy DNS filtering solutions to block malicious websites from being accessed on devices
- Monitor and log internet activity to detect risky behaviour or data leaks.
- Free Tips
- Educate employees on avoiding suspicious websites.
6. Backups and Data Recovery
- Threats: Ransomware locking your data or accidental deletion.
- Strategies:
- Schedule automated backups of critical data to secure, encrypted locations.
- At least data on your emails and cloud storage drives like Google-Drive and Microsoft One-Drive should be backed up
- Test backups regularly to ensure data can be restored without corruption.
Why Focus on Data Theft Prevention?
Every measure in this guide helps protect your business from data theft. With cybercriminals constantly evolving, implementing these simple yet effective steps can significantly reduce your risk.
Bonus: Get Your Data Theft Risk Assessed—FREE
Want to know where your business stands? Schedule a 20-minute consultation with an Expert to evaluate your current data protection strategies and identify vulnerabilities.
