Are you confident in your SMB's data security, or are you secretly worried about unseen breaches and regulatory fines? It's easy to assume everything is fine, but without a deep dive into your data, you could be sitting on a live landmine. Without stringent data hygiene practices and policies in place, your business is vulnerable to all kinds of cyber threats and costly compliance issues.
The reality is that if you don't know where your sensitive data lives and who has access, you simply can't protect it effectively. For over 25 years, I’ve been helping businesses like yours remain both compliant and protected by navigating the complexities of data security.
This article is your straightforward guide to running an effective data audit. I'll show you how to uncover vulnerabilities, classify your data, and implement robust protections. Let's explore why a data audit isn't just a nice-to-have, but a non-negotiable for your business.
The foundation of any successful business rests on its data. Not only do you rely on your data to inform business goals, sales strategies, and the like, but your customers depend on it as well. They essentially trust that your information is accurate and, more importantly, secure. I previously explained that data loss prevention (DLP) is mainly about ensuring that corporate data remains in your environment. In a similar vein, your customers are rightfully expecting you to have DLP in place to keep their information uncompromised and used for the right purposes.
This is where data hygiene comes into play: as you collect all this data, you need to maintain its accuracy and integrity. As an SMB that may not necessarily have thousands of customers, it's easy to assume that your data is error-free and is nestled safely in the hands of those who absolutely need access to it. But as we know, data is constantly compromised or stolen, so the health of your data isn’t something you can assume, but something you need to take constant stock of with an audit.
So, what does an effective data audit entail, you ask? Well, it begins with asking fundamental questions about your data landscape:
This might sound simple enough (some of you might think all you’ll need is a spreadsheet and an unhealthy amount of coffee), but identifying these key aspects is just the first step. Luckily, you have experts at your disposal who can conduct a comprehensive data audit by diving much deeper into your environment.
Ask yourself this: "If you don't know where your data is, how do you secure it?". This fundamental question highlights the core of the data audit and is something I always ask my clients whenever we talk about data security. The reality is, that many SMBs don’t think about these things until they have to. For example, one of your closest competitors gets hacked, and suddenly the entire organisation is scrambling to protect the company data at all costs.
Speaking of hackers, there’s a concerning trend of data not only being stolen for financial gain but also being changed and manipulated. This type of attack, where data is altered simply to cause chaos and disrupt business operations, stresses the importance of knowing what your data should look like (in addition to where it sits). If you can't identify discrepancies, you’d be none the wiser as to whether your information has been compromised or tampered with.
The link between poor data hygiene and cyber security vulnerabilities is undeniable. Here are some common data hygiene issues that open the door to security breaches:
Beyond these, it's crucial to know if your data is correctly classified and if the right people have access to it. Just like your stock and physical equipment, your sensitive data needs to be protected with appropriate access controls.
If you don't know where your data is and who has access to it, how do you know you conform to regulatory compliance policies? Compliance always enters the data hygiene conversation. This is simply because the UK has stringent data protection regulations like the GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation) that make robust data hygiene practices non-negotiable. The consequences of not complying range from hefty fines to legal penalties. Moreover, without knowing where your data is, you might already be a victim of a data breach without even realising it.
Many SMB owners genuinely want to protect their businesses and comply with data regulations, but usually don’t ensure that their employees understand their compliance responsibilities. And to be fair, this compliance stuff can get pretty complicated. (But that’s where partnering with a trusted advisor who has the specialised knowledge and resources comes in.)
Something else that could jeopardise compliance is business acquisitions. Let’s say a company is fully compliant with all the regulations under the British sun, and they acquire a company with lax data practices. This immediately – and unknowingly –introduces non-compliance.
When it comes to securing the future of your business and maintaining data integrity, regular data audits are a must.
Neglecting data hygiene is no longer an option, as it leaves your SMB vulnerable to unseen breaches, reputational damage, and severe financial and legal compliance penalties.
As your trusted advisor, we understand these complexities and are here to guide you through achieving compliance and protection. Partner with us to implement a comprehensive data audit.
Don't wait for disaster to strike: start by understanding exactly where your data is and who has access to it. This proactive approach protects your business and ensures you conform to regulatory policies.