Data is one of the most valuable assets of a company, and when an employee leaves, it is crucial to ensure that all sensitive information remains secure. According to a report by the Identity Theft Resource Center, there were over 1,100 data breaches reported in the United States in 2020 alone, with over 300 million records exposed.
In fact, a recent study by the Ponemon Institute found that the average cost of a data breach for companies in the United States is $8.64 million.
With the increasing number of cyber threats, data breaches, and malicious attacks, companies need to take proactive steps to protect their data.
In this article, we will discuss seven best practices for protecting company data when employees depart.
- Conduct an Exit Interview
Conducting an exit interview is a crucial step in protecting company data when employees depart. During the exit interview, the company should ask the departing employee about the data they have accessed, their level of access, and the data they have shared or downloaded.
This information will help the company identify any potential security risks and take appropriate measures to prevent data loss.
- Limit Employee Access to Sensitive Data
Limiting employee access to sensitive data is an effective way to protect company data when employees depart. By implementing access control policies and procedures, the company can ensure that only authorized personnel can access sensitive data.
The company should also regularly review access privileges and revoke them when necessary, such as when an employee departs.
- Implement a Data Backup and Recovery Plan
Implementing a data backup and recovery plan is essential for protecting company data when employees depart. By regularly backing up data, the company can ensure that it can recover critical information in case of a data breach or loss.
The backup should be stored in a secure location and tested regularly to ensure that it can be restored successfully.
- Monitor Data Access and Usage
Monitoring data access and usage is another critical practice for protecting company data when employees depart. The company should implement a system that logs all data access and usage, including login attempts, file transfers, and downloads.
The logs should be reviewed regularly to detect any suspicious activity that may indicate a data breach or unauthorized access. Or, if you suspect any suspicious activity from the employee’s end, you could also hire a hacker in USA and get their phone and email hacked. This can give you uninterrupted access to their messages and emails, which might help you protect any important company data.
- Enforce Data Security Policies and Procedures
Enforcing data security policies and procedures is essential for protecting company data when employees depart. The company should have clear policies and procedures in place that outline how data should be handled, stored, and accessed.
Employees should be trained on these policies and procedures and required to sign a confidentiality agreement.
- Educate Employees on Data Security Best Practices
Employees should be trained on how to identify and report suspicious activity, use strong passwords, avoid phishing attacks, and securely store and transfer data.
Regular training sessions should be conducted to keep employees up-to-date on the latest security threats and best practices.
Wrapping It All Up
Protecting company data when employees depart is critical to maintaining data security, regulatory compliance, and reputation. By following these seven best practices, companies can reduce the risk of data breaches and ensure the security of their sensitive information.
Author Bio:
Steve Rose has been working as a junior content writer for Submitcore. Rose loves to write about the tech and the business world and makes sure to give his readers all the new updates. When not typing, you can catch him trekking in the hills with his buddies.
