Data Security

Data security, data protection, password managers, encryption, and multi-factor authentication. They’re terms we read and hear a lot about, whether it’s to do with snooping by the NSA and GCHQ; whistleblowing by the likes of Edward Snowden; or multinationals being hacked and embarrassed on a global scale. Data security is an understandable concern for individuals, businesses and charities.

Following the iCloud hack in 2014, one of the positive outcomes was to focus the mainstream media’s attention on data security and who is responsible for protecting your data. Ultimately, the owner of the data (not the cloud-storage provider) is responsible. Our advice is:

  • Use a password manager to easily manage account passwords via a browser/smartphone. You only have to remember the password for the password manager. DO NOT forget it or you will have to reset your account and you will lose all saved passwords.

     

  • Use multi-factor authentication [MFA] (aka two-factor authentication [2FA]; two-step verification [2SV]; two-step authentication [2SA]; and two-step verification [2SV]). Potential hackers must know something (password) and have something (e.g. mobile phone) to gain access to your account. We recommend Authy because it makes encrypted backups to the cloud, and has mobile & desktop apps.
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Encryption is the most secure technique to protect data saved to a cloud-storage provider (Dropbox, OneDrive, Google Drive etc). Encrypted data remains safe from hackers and unethical employees. However, if you forget the encryption password, you will be unable to decrypt your data, so be warned and be careful. We encrypt our data using Cryptomator.

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Instead of using two software solutions (cloud-storage + encryption), an alternative is to use encrypted cloud-storage, such as Sync.com, a zero-knowledge solution. It offers 5GB for free, and highly competitive pricing plans for both personal and business accounts. Sync protects privacy with end-to-end encryption; ensuring your data in the cloud is safe, secure and 100% private. If you lose your password, there will be no way to recover it because Sync keeps no record (hence, zero-knowledge).

 

For information about how we can help your business, please contact us.

To find out how we protect our data (and our clients), read our GDPR Policy.