Why information security is relevant to you
Who is responsible for information security?
In today's connected world, the flow of data has increased exponentially and this constant exchange of information is already evident in the workplace. Employees constantly send messages and emails about confidential projects, discuss sensitive issues, store reports and spreadsheets in the cloud, and so on. This leads to the question: how do you ensure that all these processes remain protected? All it takes is one email sent to the wrong recipient or a confidential spreadsheet set to public to cause a great deal of damage to the company or even put its reputation at risk.
Many believe that this protection is the responsibility of the IT team alone, but the truth is that a company’s entire staff is responsible for its data. After all, most tasks depend at least indirectly on some kind of information and it would be impossible for an IT team to safeguard all of it. Between so many contracts, spreadsheets with client information, confidential project reports, emails, message exchanges, and entire corporate systems, there is no team capable of keeping an eye on so much information on its own.
What's more, if you think about it, you'll realize that most workers deal with sensitive data all the time, no matter how disconnected from the internet their work may seem. For example, a courier needs the correct address for a package to reach the recipient, the marketing department may need to collect data from buyers for market research, the person responsible for payroll needs access to all employees' bank details, and so on.
Learn about security standards and best practices
As such, for data security to be successful and become a collective effort to protect the entire flow of information, you need to be willing to learn more about the security measures and policies adopted in the company from your first day at work.
And one company's best practices and culture won't always be the same as another's, since a company's security recommendations also take into account its reality and challenges. This is why security guidelines may include specific rules for creating passwords – which grant access to data and systems – and for using equipment where data is stored, such as laptops and smartphones.
Keep in mind that in some countries, like Brazil, companies are obliged to comply with legal rules for data processing. Therefore, always try to find out what types of data will be part of your daily routine and which best practices are recommended when it comes to compliance with existing laws, to prevent the company from being fined or suffering other penalties.
For example, sensitive data, like banking or health information, requires special care, as it can cause serious damage to the owner if compromised. Disclosing this information constitutes a breach that can open the door to legal action and damage to the organization's image, as well as fines and other negative repercussions.
Be a pillar in the defense of company data
An employee who fulfills his or her role becomes an important pillar in the defense of the company's data, maintaining information within a secure space. Employees who fail to develop good security habits, on the other hand, can create unforeseen situations, exposing data in places that are not prepared for that information, clicking on a link contaminated with a virus, or downloading an attachment from a malicious email.
Technology or information security teams work with technological solutions, such as antivirus and antispam tools, aimed at reducing the frequency of cyber threats, though no solution is infallible. It’s at times like these that an aware employee makes all the difference, being able to recognize a threat and report it to those responsible when necessary.
For a safe data exchange, every point it passes through must also be secure. And that means that the security of the organization and co-workers is up to everybody.
