How To Protect Company Data From Hackers in the New Normal

by Jeff Enriquez, Data Protection Officer

The COVID-19 pandemic has made us pause and reconsider how we do business. As much as we highlight safety, businesses must also function and adapt with our changing work arrangements. That’s why we instituted work-from-home policies for our TeamAsians to continue delivering next level experiences, even while at home.

Given that, the emphasis on proper data security is more important than ever before. That is why it is crucial to have protocols in place in order to safeguard our clients’ data as well as that of our own workforce. 

TeamAsia was able to effectively transition its workforce into Work from Home prior to the announcement of the community quarantine. To this day, the majority of our team is still working at home, and the company has managed to ensure all employees have the necessary tools in order to perform all work-related tasks well through our organizational and technical measures. The new normal has made blended operations the new standard work set-up for most companies, so likewise, data security is of paramount importance as companies adjust to this business model. 

Navigating through this stressful time can be challenging for all businesses, but it is possible to keep afloat and stay protected. Here are some tips for companies can adapt in order to maximize the protection of data in the new normal:

Use company-issued equipment and software only. Your company will be able to protect you and your work-related files best when you use official company devices. Not only would they be able to provide you with the best antivirus protection, but they can also give you all the other necessary things you need to work at an optimal level, like cloud storage, the latest productivity software and the like.

Safeguard your company email account and network connection. Privacy is of utmost importance, so be wary of sharing your password with other parties. It would be best to disable autofill of passwords and other personal information to avoid mishaps and hacks. Your internet connection is just as important, so avoid connecting to public or unsecured WiFi connections. 

Back it up. Backup your files regularly (on a daily basis, if possible) to ensure that your files are up to date. The last thing you want is to have to repeat or redo your hard work, so it’s best to save and back up your files.  Be mindful of sharing data and accessibility to your files as well. 

Maximize security options for teleconferences or conference calls. Because most meetings are now virtual, you should take advantage of the security measures at your disposal to protect all parties involved. Ensure that your meetings are private by default, and do not post meeting IDs in public domains. Ask permission from all participants in case you’re recording the session or taking a photo as well. 

In case of a data breach incident, notify your IT department immediately. Your IT department and Data Protection Officer, would be able to maintain and address the situation, and protect you from more trouble. They will report the issue to concerned government agencies, including the National Privacy Commission, if needed be.

As companies adjust to the normal, we need to be extra vigilant to secure ourselves from possible threats. Here at TeamAsia, our IT team continues to share updates and tips to the entire company in order to keep everyone in the loop about the latest news in cybersecurity. 

Privacy is of utmost importance in this day and age, and we all need to work together in order to protect our company and stakeholders’ data. We should take care not only of our digital files, but our physical files as well.