eMazzanti Technologies

used with permission from the HP Small Business Site

Last year, the reputation of online security took yet another major hit when over 200,000 users of Gawker Media websites — including those users who log in via Twitter — had their usernames and passwords hacked and distributed across the web. This massive data breach just goes to show that, while data security remains a major concern for Internet users the world over, protecting your business’s confidential information is more than just a worry, it’s vital to survival.

With that in mind, here are five sure-fire ways to keep your professional information under digital lock and key — whether you’re online or off.

Online Security
1.  The first step to protecting sensitive data is beefing up your network security. By incorporating dynamic encryption keys, media access controls, and WiFi Protection Access (WAP), you can help ensure that you and your employees are only sharing data with trusted websites and decreasing the chance that your wireless network will be compromised. Then, and only then, can you practice web surfing with confidence.

2.   Select only business notebooks that come preloaded with HP ProtectTools — an embedded security suite that allows for protected data sharing, access right management, network firewall protection, and more.

Not only does this robust tool provide notebook security management, but it can also enhance your existing security programs — such as virus detection software — to provide a unified defense for your business network and PCs.

3.   With new hacker tactics and designer computer viruses popping up on a daily basis, it can be difficult to know how to keep your security strategy up to the task. Luckily, Security Manager from HP ProtectTools can help you stay up to date with the latest security tools and choose the tactics that best fit your IT needs.

Security Manager’s smart card technology also allows you to implement security features across multiple devices — including PCs, notebooks, and handhelds — and applications, such as user authentication and access control programs.

Best of all, Security Manager is completely customizable and easy to implement through its step-by-step tutorial. Whoever thought waging the war on data security could be so easy?

Offline Security
4.   While an online data breach may the sneakiest way for hackers to get a hold of confidential information, it certainly isn’t the oldest. So what do you do when a thief resorts to low-tech tactics and swipes your notebook outright?

For one, you can ensure that your data is in safe hands, even when your computer isn’t — with Computrace® Pro. This multifaceted security program allows you to detect unauthorized software and even track the physical location of stolen laptops, assisting with law enforcement recovery.

Concerned less about the notebook than the sensitive data that’s on it? Computrace Pro also allows you to wipe your hard drive remotely, making your passwords, records, and documents unobtainable to data thieves. [2]

5.  Everyone knows what a struggle it is to keep track of all those unique and ever-changing passwords. But writing them down on sticky notes or in your daily planner is one of the easiest ways for someone to steal your identity.

Instead, use fingerprint technology to sign on and manage all your password-protected accounts. It’s an easy way to access everything you need with just the swipe of a finger — and help keep vital information out of the wrong hands.

Data security is becoming an ever greater concern for SMBs as hackers continue to refine their tactics and the sheer amount of information companies have to protect grows. Luckily, there are some simple and effective security solutions that can give you peace of mind and help keep your private information just that — private.