Don’t Just Survive a Data Breach - Prevent It
Brought to you by Nord Security
Data breaches are becoming increasingly common, with news headlines regularly covering companies affected by cyber attacks. The average cost of a breach is now just shy of $4.5 million, which shows just how significant the impact can be.
So, rather than leaving it to chance, it’s worth exploring ways to reduce your company’s risk. The encouraging part is that with the right strategy and tools, protecting your business is actually achievable.
Fact: Any Company Can Be A Potential Target
Cyberattacks remain a possibility whenever a business operates digitally. The size of the company doesn’t matter. What attracts bad actors isn’t the scale of the organization but the opportunity to access its valuable data.
So they look for weak points, such as a business account with an easily guessable password or a system with an unpatched vulnerability—anything that gets them inside. Once cybercriminals gain access, the results can include exposure of client information and confidential company data, followed by severe reputational, financial, or legal consequences.
So, how do you prevent that from happening to your business?
Data Breach Prevention Is The Only Viable Approach
You’ve probably heard of data breach prevention, but what does it really mean for your company? Generally speaking, it’s a proactive strategy to build a strong defense around your digital assets. It’s not about reacting after an attack has happened - it’s about building and maintaining an environment where threats have no chance to gain a foothold.
In other words, it’s about shifting your mindset from mitigation to prevention. You can either spend your time planning how to handle a breach after it strikes, or you can invest in the tools and processes that make an attack incredibly difficult to pull off in the first place. The choice is yours, but only one of them doesn't involve you getting breached.
So, How Do You Prevent Data Breaches?
The key is a two-pronged approach that combines smart processes with the right technology.
Start with your people and processes
The first step is to implement strong access policies, which are the foundation of your data security. This means following the principle of least privilege, ensuring employees only have access to the data they absolutely need to do their jobs. You can also enforce regular audits and strict approval workflows to make sure sensitive information is always handled correctly.
Next, you'll want to prioritize employee education. Regular training and simulated phishing campaigns can teach your team how to spot and avoid threats, turning them into a critical part of your security strategy.
Use the right tools
Simple but effective measures, like multi-factor authentication, a business VPN, and a password manager, go a long way in keeping your internal systems secure. They also provide a clear framework for safe practices, helping your team avoid costly mistakes and making security second nature.
But what about external threats? How can you be sure some of your data isn’t already floating around where it shouldn’t be? That’s where a strong data breach monitoring solution helps - continuously monitoring the dark web for compromised credentials, leaked data, or other sensitive information.
A tool like NordStellar does exactly that. It’s a threat exposure management platform that helps you catch leaks early and close potential attack vectors before they’re ever exploited. It’s like making sure you hold the keys to every door before anyone else finds a way in.
The clear benefits of a proactive approach
Investing in data breach prevention is more than just a way to reduce risk. It offers tangible benefits that strengthen your entire business.
- Financial protection: You save on the direct and indirect costs of a breach, including legal fees, regulatory fines, and the expensive process of credit monitoring for affected customers.
- Reputation management: Proactive prevention is a way to protect and maintain your customers’ trust, which you’ve probably spent years building.
- Operational continuity: A major breach can bring your daily operations to a halt. A strong security posture ensures your business can continue to run smoothly.
- Regulatory compliance: Many industries have strict data protection regulations. Preventing breaches is a core part of meeting these requirements, which helps you avoid costly penalties and legal issues.
Don't wait for an attack and act now
Data breaches are an expensive reality for thousands of businesses every year. But you have the power to protect your organization. By adopting a proactive strategy that combines smart processes and advanced cybersecurity solutions like NordStellar, you can build a strong defense and reduce breach risk.
Here’s where to start: check your company’s cyber risk score right now. Get a free cyber risk report from NordStellar and discover just how exposed your sensitive data is.
You Might Also Read:
Remote Work Security: Managing Risk In A Perimeter-less Workplace:
If you like this website and use the comprehensive 8,000-plus service supplier Directory, you can get unrestricted access, including the exclusive in-depth Directors Report series, by signing up for a Premium Subscription.
- Individual £5 per month or £50 per year. Sign Up
- Multi-User, Corporate & Library Accounts Available on Request
- Inquiries: Contact Cyber Security Intelligence
Cyber Security Intelligence: Captured Organised & Accessible