Why newly acquired businesses can increase data loss risks for a UK Company

Did you know that for some UK companies, data loss may not be caused by hackers or viruses? It may simply be a sign of a company not understanding the best way to use the data give across their entire infrastructure. One insurance company grew and acquired several centres as a result. But, no one had any idea of the risks they faced because of their acquisitions. Why should a UK company know their risks when it comes to data?

It is hard to prevent data loss if you do not know how to best minimise the damages or worse, deal with the threats that may cause data loss. How can UK companies’ best calculate their risks and take steps to safeguard computers from fire damage, water damage, electrical outages, and accidental data loss caused by an IT professional imputing code incorrectly. One of the best ways is to calculate the likelihood that the event will happen in a numeric figure. Do you know what the impact would be for the company and calculate that figure? Once you know the likelihood and the impact, it is easy to calculate the risk factor by simply multiplying the likelihood and impact together.

Breaking down the Risk

If a UK company wants to do well in the business market, they must adjust to change and assure customers that their data really is safe in the company’s database. Is a risk minimal if looking into the risks divided by certain sectors? How much is a UK company boss able to trust computer analysis and charts made by human estimates?

No risk assessment is going to be 100 percent accurate. But, the trick is to best assess the likelihood of occurrences by predicting the probability. The goal is to use these four categories to narrow the error margin. High probability is for those risks that are the most likely to occur and you could prevent. For those threats that are low-risk and may require low maintenance, it is best to accept. Containing is for those risks which have the highest probability of happening and they aren’t much of a security threat. The last category may be the most important when it involves data loss and recovery efforts, planning. Without a clear plan, the smallest data breach can become a sizable threat. This is why even the largest companies need a data recovery loss plan and risk assessment not only for themselves, but whatever is acquired.

Why file sharing increases the chances of getting hacked and what you can do about it

It is called File Transfer Protocol and it hasn’t changed much in the 40 years since its development in the 1970s. It may be a testament to a design that has been so useful that it has been preserved. However, with concerns over data privacy and new security issues with hackers, FTP may no longer be the best way to share file or information at all.  With hackers able to intercept data en route, new protection measures may help UK businesses stem the tide of data they lose annually to hackers.

One way UK businesses can keep their data private is by blocking peer to peer sharing and avoid using P2P networks or sharing technology. According to one 2011 study, a marketing research firm found 9 percent of users downloaded files from a peer-to-peer network. If using these programs such as BitTorrent, FastTrack, or KaZaa, users unsuspectingly give hackers an opportunity to gain access to sensitive information through a shared file.

How to stop viruses that act as peer-to-peer programs

While some applaud the Internet for allowing people to communicate across continents, it has opened the door to viruses being spread on P2P networks and increasing the chances that a UK business may receive an infected file. It may not take a virus to gain access to sensitive data.  In 2009, researchers at one college found 45 results for “birth certificate,”42 results for “passport, and ”208 results for “tax return.” it is  no secret P2P programs are a “common avenue” to submit viruses.

What is the best way to stop unintended data sharing and curb data loss? It may not be enough to simply have antivirus protection anymore. Companies need a platform that allows them to keep information private and solely for the email recipient the email is intended.  Businesses do need to look into encryption of emails and other files. However, they also need to consider having STF features that allow a user interface between customers and company employees, having policies that fall in line with the company’s sharing policy and technology usage, and allowing fast sharing of any suspicious activity or possible hacking within the network.

Whether your data loss is because electrical outages or because of physical hardware problems, experts can help. Let us recover your data before you attempt your own data recovery.

How data loss without any data recovery can cripple Companies

Data is the life of a company. It ensures orders are shipped to correct addresses. Even better, it ensures companies can communicate and function. Data allows companies to interact in a B2C capacity. A UK company that must shut down because of a data loss can easily lose thousands in a single day.  Why are costs so high? A UK business must include their employee costs, their lost sales that the usually make in a single day, how much does it cost them to produce their product? How much is a company losing in extra business costs. For example, will health care costs increase by a company’s employees have lost too many days of work, thanks to a data loss?

This is why a business needs a data recovery plan. Did you know that a tenth of UK businesses back up their data once a year? According to Vanson Bourne, another 1,000 UK businesses admitted they backed up data once a month.  It isn’t just natural disasters that can cripple businesses that do not backup their data regularly.

Why businesses need a disaster data recovery Plan

Did you know that a business’s vulnerability is its weakest link? Did you know that 77 percent of workers leave their computers unattended, according to one study? This opens the door to hackers. This is why companies need a professional that can protect their data and help the company recover sensitive data if they are hacked.

Unchecked cybercrime costs UK businesses up to £ 4,000 a year. However, it isn’t just hackers that can cause businesses to lose money. Companies also damage their reputation with a data loss, that they cannot protect a customer’s data.  This is why it is best for companies needs to have a data recovery plan before disaster strikes.  Security breaches can cause not just businesses to suffer, but also affect the economy. Did you know that breaches can cause losses in the economy, totalling more than £ 27 billion in losses?  It also may open the door for businesses to be sued. Did you know acts of God, such as floods, can signal disaster for businesses that do not have a disaster recovery plans? An estimated 25 percent of businesses do not reopen after a major disaster according to Institute of Business Home and Safety.

Isn’t it nice to know that your business is protected against data loss if you have a data loss recovery plan before you actually need it?  By having your employees cross-trained, this will help a business avoid data loss.  Companies may put their data at risk by simply having one employee in charge of some data. This may prevent data loss if the employee is injured, sick or dies.

Threats, vulnerabilities, and harm are three fears large companies needing data recovery Have

Large companies may fear that harm may come to their operations if sensitive, customer data someone takes sensitive data. For many large UK companies, losing data is a risk that may not be fully measured in pounds. This calculated risk is a perceived threat. For a larger UK company, risk can take the form of many things, including the loss of property, revenue, customer loyalty, investments in projects, and risk of sales.

Companies that lose data may suffer from  three types of damage caused by the loss. The first type of data loss may be completely unrecoverable. This can be one of the worst case scenarios for a large business because important business files losses are forever, and only hard copies are available. Another type of data loss is data loss that is partially recoverable. If a large company has part of their data backed up in another source, it may not lose all their sensitive data. Another problem that company staff encounters  is data that is non-retrievable.  Even if a company relies on a sensitive time frame, they may not have access to their files while a trained professional recovers a company’s data.

Unavailable data may delay customer Orders

It may hurt UK companies if their data is unavailable while a pro recovers data lost from a corrupted file. However, it may be hard for many employees to know this information may not be retrievable, and they have no promises the data is retrievable.  Is the data lost, e-mails? Communicating with customers may be difficult if the company loses customer’s contact information.  If a customer is not given timely service, a company may lose a customer.  Large companies often are dependent on call centers.

Having a third-party handle customer sales, a larger UK company is risking potential sales, additional revenue and also profits. Companies may have to rely on CRM services which may fail. If they fail, companies may slide into bankruptcy.  Even if a company files for bankruptcy,  the  business may lose profits by losing valuable time that they cannot afford to lose.  A disruption of services can lead to higher product and service costs, and loss in revenue.

Are you ever accidently erased data at work before?  A business can protect their data to the best of their ability and preventing data loss may be worth the price. Did you know data recovery needed after the fact may cost the company more?  However, a pro may be able to retrieve a company’s much-needed data, quickly.

Three things struggling UK companies could consider with customer Data

While some UK companies may think data losses have been subsiding, the Open Security Foundation has reported a rise in the number of cases of data loss beginning in 2008. Though not every virus may be as worrying to IT techs, there are still threats that UK companies still need to take note of.

Has the UK’s new data policy helped stem data loss? It may be too soon to tell as it only went into effect early this year. However; if UK executives do not comply with disclosures, they may be facing charges. Why has it been so hard for some organisations to get into the practice of disclosing information to customers and making greater efforts to protect customer data? UK companies may have resisted before because they didn’t fully understand the data privacy regulations or feared they would ruin the business’s reputation. However, company heads should be more concerned with data losses that they may face by not having updated patches and updates installed.

Companies need to consider recession drives and the possibility of collecting less Data

There is always the concern that large companies will have their networks hacked or a disgruntled employee will steal sensitive data when they leave the company. There may be more data losses because the economy has slowed down and companies have placed projects on hold. Instead of expanding, companies are waiting and sustaining what they have. Companies should consider allocating some of their budget on information security.

It may save businesses when it comes to data loss. After all, it is cheaper for companies to invest in upgrading their network security than risk malware, a virus or hackers infecting their network or stealing sensitive customer data or company data.

Should data collecting be stopped in UK? 

Should companies collect less data? In a society where companies are rewarded for collecting customers’ personal data, their preferences, and their dislikes, it may be harder for some companies to consider collecting less data. Smaller UK companies may not be able to stop collecting data if they think data collecting is more profitable for them. But how can businesses in the UK best protect data that some employees may accidently lose?

The new data privacy laws may be an attempt to answer the question of if collecting data should be practiced. However, there is not clear answer for now. What is the best way for UK companies, big and small, to stem data information losses? Has your company ever suffered a great data loss and had to pay a fine under UK’s new data protection regulations? Do UK companies have the money to waste if the business is found in violation of data loss breaches and not following data privacy rules?

UK companies struggling with data loss should look at their Wi-Fi Security

One summer, the Sabre reservation system used by 300 airlines failed and some flights were cancelled. Others were still available, but airline attendants were making reservations by pen and paper.  Though not every network failure or software failure may be caused by router failures, some security flaws may be solved by better Wi-Fi security.  Should business owners consider the Open Wireless Project, started by Electronic Frontier Foundation that aims to develop software to offer a higher level of Wi-Fi security? The purpose is to develop a safe way to share with guests and still keep their connection safe.

How can a router offer Wi-Fi security? At least one organisation has developed source code for open router firmware that is secure. Developers hope this software will be able to do things that routers traditionally cannot do or do well.  Some experts argue that fixing router flaws may not be enough to protect small businesses and larger company’s sensitive data. Many companies may prefer to apply the cheaper fixes first and balance the risk with the rewards of having safer data.

Should smaller businesses consider this new Wi-Fi Security?

Some companies may be doubtful of this new strategy because the price to make such technology will drive the price of these routers higher than most business want or would consider paying.  Developers warn that for now this router may not have all the bugs fixed. However, small businesses are encouraged to use this work in progress.  It may allow small businesses to offer an open network to guests and those passing by without compromising safety for everyone using the password-secure WPA2 network.

The problem with a number of home routers is that they are slow to update firmware or the routers are not updated at all. Some models are shipped with vulnerabilities and this makes these routers easy for hackers to penetrate and gain access to user's computers and personal data.  If businesses and home users do not try this new router to protect their data, what signs should they look for if they suspect a hacker?

• Has your password been changed without your knowledge?
• Have your router settings been changed?
• Has there been a change to the user names or administration password or the network’s SSID? Changes, such as this, may signal a hacker.

Have you ever been victim to a hacker and considered ditching WEP for the more secure WPA2 system? Would you consider getting a router that had the new Wi-Fi technology? It may help stop data loss. If a company’s IT expert cannot recover data, you may be able to easily find a pro to recover the lost files. A pro may be able to retrieve a company’s much-needed data, quickly.