Data Protection Zero Trust. How much data do you really want to share with someone else? How would you feel if they access your personal information without your permission? If you don’t trust them, why should anyone else?
To ensure your data is safe from hackers, you need to take steps to improve data security. This means implementing zero-trust policies and using encryption software. Read on to discover ways to improve data protection with Data Protection Zero Trust.
1. Use a VPN
VPNs encrypt your data when you’re sending and receiving it on the internet. This means only you can access it, even if someone intercepts it, like a hacker or government agency. Be sure to choose a provider that doesn’t keep logs, like Private Internet Access.
2. Encrypt Your Data Storage
Another way to prevent data exposure is to encrypt your computer and all its hard drives, external storage devices and backup hard drives. You can use open source software for this or you can use software from companies like Symantec or Symform. You can also use a software-as-a-service solution from companies like Boxcryptor.
3. Encrypt Your Email
Since email is so popular, it’s likely that your company uses it as a primary communication tool. If so, then you should encrypt the messages you send with PGP or S/MIME encryption. If not, then you should at least use a secure email provider such as ProtonMail or Tutanota to send encrypted emails to individuals who do not have these services already set up on their end.
4. Secure Sensitive Files in the Cloud
If you’re using cloud services like Dropbox or Google Drive to store files, be sure that they are encrypted and are not accessible via public links (i.e., don’t share them with anyone). If you must share them with others, make sure the recipients have an encryption service set up on their computers.
And that they know how to access the files without accidentally exposing them to others. Cloud encryption services such as Boxcryptor can help keep file contents private even when shared with others who don’t have access to the encryption software themselves.
5. Keep Your Passwords Secure With Password Managers
Make sure these tools store your passwords securely in an encrypted database on your computer rather than in an unencrypted plain text file where they could be exposed to hackers via keyloggers or other malware programs you might have installed unknowingly on your computers.
Examples are adware or spyware programs downloaded from shady sources such as torrent sites or shady download sites disguised as download mirrors for popular software titles (yes, there are still many of those out there). LastPass is one option for creating and storing secure passwords in an encrypted database on your local hard drive
6. Use Two-Factor Authentication at All Your Logins
Two-factor authentication is a way to improve data protection when logging in to services such as Gmail, Facebook, or Twitter. You can use it on all of your online accounts, but this will take a significant amount of time to set up, so be sure that the security benefits are worth the extra time and effort required to do so.
To set this up, you’ll need an account with an authentication app provider like Google Authenticator, Authy or Duo Mobile. With Duo Mobile, for example, you might need to provide text messages, push notifications or phone calls to verify your identity before you can log in. I’ve used Authy and it’s very convenient because it integrates with many popular services and provides push notifications for two-factor verification via text messages or phone calls.