If you are like most managers, you can only shudder to think what could happen in the event of a security breach to your files or some other catastrophe. This data is not only vital to your organization from an economic standpoint but the loss will likely cost you valuable goodwill that you have been building up for years.

Action idea: Make protection of computer data a top priority - if it is not already. Here are eight helpful suggestions for protecting your organization.

1. Back up data at an offsite location. Install regular antivirus updates as instructed. Most important, develop a disaster recovery plan for software and applications. Test it at least once a year.
2. Secure adequate insurance coverage. This can vary from newer versions of cyber insurance to traditional business interruption insurance. Investigate the different policies carefully, and choose one that meets your needs and your budget.
3. Focus on employees. No matter how much insurance coverage you have, it will be difficult - if not impossible - to recover from a security breach or casualty. Look at where the problems usually begin - with your employees. They should be using passwords at least six or seven characters long, mixing in letters and numerals. Educate employees about the risks involved. Make them aware of what is at stake.
4. Assess your current backup system. Does it do everything you need it to do? Can you make improvements? Consider new technology such as “virtualization” that allows you to run multiple servers on one computer. Other possibilities include moving from magnetic tape to disk, using “snapshots” to restore data more quickly and synchronizing disks for data protection around the clock.
5. Designate someone to oversee the backup system. Don’t just assume things will get done in the normal course of the workday. The person should be a high-level officer who has the requisite computer savvy for the job - maybe this is you. In any event, it is critical to grant the authority for this supervisor to run the show.
6. Anticipate the losses you might incur and what you would have to do to recover. Realize that trouble can arise from various sources both inside and outside the organization. This is true regardless of the security of your firewalls.
7. Consider the fallout among the public. What will you have to do to regain their trust? How will you handle the media exposure? Develop guidelines for addressing the situation.
8. As a final resort, you might be able to obtain indemnification from service or software providers. It certainly cannot hurt to ask about coverage. Explore all avenues of protection.

Action idea: Pull all these elements together into a detailed written plan. Review the plan at least once a year and make any necessary modifications.

At Lewis, Hooper & Dick, LLC, we offer comprehensive services in information technology. Please contact Lori Servis at (620)275-9267.

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