Even though digital communication tools are in today’s modern world designed as mines that are very protected, businesses cannot really afford to take data security risks when it comes to internal communications.
As personal data is being an increasingly profitable commodity, tracking of online activity is happening on an unprecedented level, and that calls for much more secure internal communications.
The tools that are used for everyday communication for your businesses, like email accounts, smartphones, tablets, and many other tools you access online, make accessing all the information much easier than before. Those can be accessed not only by your team members but also by someone who is not from your company, thus, securing internal communication channels is absolutely critical.
Information at Risk
All kinds of your company’s information can be jeopardized, like email, passwords or bank information, and security numbers. You have to be aware that these present a risk, but what would be the steps in order to prevent those?
First and foremost, data breaches are very costly and the risks may come in different forms and sizes, including theft, employee negligence, unsecured networks, communication issues, and using consumer-focused communication tools for business.
Even though your company might not be a very large one, it can still be a target for data thieves. They always look for easier targets.
Solutions
On one hand, data thieves do represent a very big threat to data security, but on the other hand, the biggest risk is definitely employee negligence and unsecured networks. Human error can make a much bigger impact than a hacker one. Hence, information should be protected wherever it is stored.
And when it comes to consumer-focused communication tools, they are actually very unfit for business purposes, since they might have loads of privacy issues.
The solution to this problem is a business-focused internal communication platform, that offers businesses agile ways of sharing information at minimal risk.
Communication Issues
Communication issues might arise if, for example, firewalls are not being configured correctly, lack of training or improper patches for the system, and many more.
So, when a cyber-attack happens it’s important to have an incident response plan, that will have several different components, but quick and effective internal communication is one crucial part of a plan.
Multi-channel communication strategy and good internal communications software can be used to create templates in advance so you can quickly inform your employees on how to take reactive measures during a breach.
Business-Grade Internal Communication Solution
Security must be an ongoing effort at your company while the tools and threats change.
There are different subscription-based team communications apps that can be used for business, that also alleviate GDPR non-compliance risk and do not compromise the quality of employee connection.
Review your Communication Internal Policy
In order to have a safe company environment, it is of great importance to have an internal communication policy that should clearly outline all acceptable and not acceptable doings.
Enforcing this kind of policy is making sure that everyone is following the policy and behaving accordingly. One member of a team or one separate team can be appointed as the one responsible for overseeing this.
Customer Data Safety Improves Customer Loyalty
Customers share with you their sensitive data like their personal and financial information. Your main priority is to keep those data safe to increase your customer confidence and loyalty.
Thus, if your customer information is vulnerable, you will lose your customer confidence and get lawsuits. In order for your customers to be protected, make sure to use trusted tools for customer service needs, store and share only vital information, limit access to data for your employees and use password protection tools.
Celebrate and Communicate your Cyber Security Successes.
If an employee fails to take the bait in a potentially threatening email and instead does the right thing and reports the attempted attack, or your team is able to overcome a breach attempt with a segregated backup copy, share the success. Sharing and celebrating employee successes should be part of your communications strategy.
Things change rapidly, so schedule monthly or quarterly meetings with your employees to review the safety of your internal communications in the company.
