The old adage « prevention is better than cure » certainly applies to data privacy. A small piece harmful code from this source that you upload to your site can cause massive damage. From pop-ups to a complete system breach, or even a stolen session or password. You should mention in your data security guidelines the frequency and manner in which you are able to check your system for malicious code, and what protections exist to limit the risk.
Update any scripts or software platforms that you utilize on your site regularly. Hackers are able to exploit security holes in popular web software and an absence of timely updates exposes your system to attack. It is also recommended to restrict access to your network or database to the minimum number of users required to do their task.
Develop a plan of action to handle possible breaches. You should designate a staff member to manage the process. Based on the nature of your business, you might have to inform consumers, law enforcement, customers, and credit bureaus. This is an important procedure that should be planned in advance.
Create strong password requirements for consumer accounts and make sure you have a reliable method to store passwords, including the use of lower and uppercase numerals, letters and special characters, or using salt and slow hash functions. Avoid storing confidential information about users, and when you need to reduce the risk of storing it, consider encryption or deletion of the information after a specified time.