We’re constantly preaching about the importance of using safe data practices but, as much as we’d rather you avoid an issue entirely, slip-ups do occur. In the event of a suspected breach, you must act swiftly.
Step 1. Evaluate the Breach
Before you can address a data leak, you must identify the cause of the problem.
- Have you accidentally downloaded a piece of malware onto your computer?
- Have you clicked a dodgy link?
- Have your passwords been compromised, giving someone access to your digital ecosystem?
- Have your cybersecurity measures become outdated?
Step 2. Fix the Issue
Once you’ve gained clear insight into the source of your breach, you can take action to put an end to it and reduce the damage done. If you don’t have the knowledge to fix the problem in-house, you may need to reach out to a company like Keytech for urgent support.
Step 3. Report the Issue to the ICO
In the UK, it’s a legal requirement that all organisations report their data leaks to the Information Commissioner’s Office within 72 hours. You can contact them via their online tool or by calling them on their dedicated hotline. They’ll need to know….:
- What happened?
- What information has been leaked?
- Have you addressed the root of the problem?
Step 4. Reach Out to Your Stakeholders
Although you may prefer to keep quiet about your data leak, it’s important that you notify the affected parties. This means putting on a brave face and communicating with your suppliers, customers, and anyone else whose information you have on file. They’ll need to change their passwords, speak to their bank, and put procedures in place to reduce the risk of losing more than just their data. Their entire livelihood is on the line.
Step 5. Implement Security Measures
To avoid another breach in the future, you’ll need to put extra security measures in place (or update your old procedure!). This usually involves….:
- Installing antivirus on all business devices.
- Updating your outdated software.
- Teaching employees about safe data practices.
- Bringing an IT support team on board.
Keytech would be happy to help. We regularly share advice via our Knowledge Base, provide 24/7 system monitoring, and offer a free consultation call to all businesses looking to improve their cybersecurity. Contact us today to find out more.
