The Internet of Things. Big data. The cloud. They are buzzwords associated with an important, digital development: the growing connectedness of systems, or connectivity. The benefits are great for a modern business, but what exactly does it mean for your security and privacy?
Startups with smart products are popping up like mushrooms and making it easier to perform everyday tasks. At the same time, you use many different platforms that work separately from each other. Since almost everyone is online anytime, anywhere, it seems to have become a matter of course to also share everything, everywhere. From any app, on any device you use.
Connectivity therefore helps you simplify your workflow by integrating smaller apps within large platforms (and vica versa). An example: you receive an e-mail, whose attachment is automatically saved by a connection to Dropbox. Then, in business communication tool Slack, you see a notification of that new file. Virtually every app offers this connectivity to a greater or lesser extent, providing countless opportunities to work more efficiently.
1. Safety above all else
Because sharing information across platforms and devices is so effortless, the risks are often forgotten. One of the main pitfalls is the security of sensitive information. This sounds obvious, but in practice it certainly isn’t: according to various studies, companies are still doing too little to properly protect their data. Just one employee has to make a misstep like that, and you have a problem.
Fortunately, most platforms offer plenty of ways to better shield yourself without too much effort. For example, by sending your data encrypted (encoded), or by better ways of verification. Many apps offer two-step verification, which requires you to enter a security code, which you receive via text message, in addition to entering a password. Particularly within your company, it is very important to implement these types of security methods to protect your sensitive information.
2. What do I share, and what don’t I share?
The security risk of connectivity is closely related to the privacy question. After all, when you exchange or store data on external parties’ platforms, your information is always parked on an external party’s server. It’s worth remembering that you don’t know exactly how these companies handle your data. Not for nothing has an online giant like Facebook been taken to task several times over privacy laws.
Make sure you are well-versed in the terms and conditions of each platform and make a good choice between information you want to link or not.
While it may be a great advantage to be able to link more and more platforms, it is good to have a healthy distrust of every app you add to your business environment. Ask yourself not only, ‘How can I easily share my data and information?’ But also, “How do I make sure I do that in a secure way?” Make sure you are familiar with the terms and conditions of each platform and make a good choice between information you want to link or not.
3. Ensure sufficient knowledge
Connectivity, encrypted data and two-step verification: you may have lost track of all these technical buzzwords, but also don’t want to lose the benefits of links due to security risks. Should you not have the knowledge yourself, it is advisable to find a reliable tech partner who does. Perhaps to examine and improve the security of your current cloud solutions, or to provide you with a secure, connectivity solution tailored to your needs. An efficient work environment is important; handling your data responsibly is even more important.
