Time to Update Your Data Security Policy? 3 Things to Include

Cyberattacks are increasing in a highly-connected world. As more businesses rely on the internet to do business, ensuring an up-to-date data security policy will help prevent your company from becoming a victim of cybercrime.

Updating your data security policy should address several crucial steps:

Before Starting a Data Security Policy

A data security policy should be practical and contain up-to-date information. Before getting started, you should consider your company goals and decide on your primary objectives. Understanding your current vulnerabilities and how to address them will help you determine where and how to improve your current policy.

A strong policy should address current security risks and industry standards, improve your existing security program, and identify roles and responsibilities necessary to implement it.

What to Include

Outdated data security policies can leave your organization at risk of cyberattacks, data breaches, and data loss. It’s important to stay in compliance with the laws and regulations that govern your specific industry while updating your security policy.

Please consider the following when updating your data security policy:

1. Roles and Responsibilities

Assigning roles and responsibilities is an important part of an effective data security policy. Your policy should assign responsibility and help ensure an organized approach to risk if and when a security event occurs. It should clearly outline roles and responsibilities for all departments and relevant employees.

Roles and responsibilities should be assigned to your workforce based on their access to IT infrastructure, Human Resources information, and IT assets. It may be helpful to assign a Data Protection Officer or a responsible office with associated contact information.

2. Reporting Mechanisms

When updating your data security policy, it’s vital to include ways for employees to report suspicious behaviors and security risks. Whether you prefer employees to submit an online incident form or contact human resources, it’s important to detail those processes.

Miscommunication within your organization often leads to poor response during times of security risk. Employees who clearly understand how to report a risk when it occurs can be the difference between a timely response and a response that leads to major financial loss and downtime.

3. Incident Response Plan

When major data breaches occur, it’s vital to have an incident response plan detailed in a policy to keep others informed. If your current data security policy doesn’t include this plan, it’s important to detail the process in your policy.

This plan should address how to evaluate a data breach, how to report the incident internally, and how the public will be informed of the issue. You should also detail what corrective and preventative actions will be taken.

Contact SEAM for More Information

A data security plan should develop and evolve with your company. Keeping this plan up-to-date and clearly defined can help mitigate the risks of a breach. It’s important to review all policies and procedures regularly to avoid facing regulatory fines, legal fees, and lost public trust.

When completed proactively and effectively, your policy will reduce security risks and ensure all employees are equipped with the necessary tools to do their jobs safely.

If you’re interested in learning more about updating the disposal side of your data security policy in South Dakota and North Dakota, contact SEAM today!