For small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), especially those without an internal IT department, protecting sensitive information can seem daunting with risks seemingly around every corner. It isn’t all bad or boring though with the right tools and guidance, safeguarding your data can be straightforward and much easier to understand.
Why Defend Against Data Leaks?
Every business, regardless of size, handles sensitive information. This could be financial records, client details, or proprietary data. A data leak is defined as when an internal source exposes sensitive information, often by accident or even unknowingly. Despite the size of a data leak, they can all potentially lead to data breaches – compromising much more.
The severe consequences, including financial loss, legal challenges, and reputational damage. Something of a longer term impact is that with increasing awareness of data privacy among customers, demonstrating robust data protection measures is essential to maintaining trust and loyalty; it’s hard to win and easily lost.
All this to say, Microsoft Edge for Business has recently introduced new data leak control capabilities, offering an effective solution to protect your sensitive information. Think of it as an additional lock on your digital doors, ensuring only authorised personnel can access critical data.
What Does Microsoft Edge Offer for Business Data Security?
Enhanced Data Leak Control: These capabilities help prevent unauthorised access and accidental sharing of sensitive data.
Artificial Intelligence Integration: AI detects potential threats and unusual data movements, alerting you before a leak occurs.
Seamless Integration with Microsoft Ecosystem: If you’re using Microsoft 365 or Teams, Edge for Business integrates smoothly, ensuring consistent data protection across all platforms.
4 Steps to Implement Data Leak Protection in Your Business
1. Update Your Browser
Ensure all devices within your business are using the latest version of Microsoft Edge for Business. This guarantees access to the newest features and security updates. It’s good practice to ensure all softwares are running on the latest versions for best current protection.
2. Set Your Policies
Collaborate with your IT support partner to establish data sharing policies tailored to your business needs. Microsoft provides guidelines and templates to simplify this process. For detailed assistance, talk to your IT partner or our Microsoft experts.
3. Train Your Team
Educate your employees on the importance of data security and how to use the new features. A quick training session can be highly effective. For training resources, ask about out our employee training programs – they’re all included for our support clients.
4. Monitor and Adjust
Regularly monitor the effectiveness of your policies and make adjustments as needed. The goal is to balance security with seamless workflow integration. This is a highly technical role, so if you have no internal IT role (or you have a team member doing double duty without the cyber security know-how) it’s time to call in the experts.
Depending on your industry, adhering to strict data protection regulations is crucial. The new controls in Microsoft Edge for Business can help ensure compliance, avoiding potential legal issues and penalties. For more information on industry-specific regulations, visit the Information Commissioner’s Office.
By using a browser with strong data leak controls, you show your customers that you prioritise their data privacy and create an internal culture of safer internet practice. This can significantly enhance trust in your business, leading to improved customer relationships and loyalty.
With Microsoft Edge for Business, you have a powerful tool to enhance your data security. At Clearsky IT, we’re here to support you every step of the way. If you need further assistance or want our team to manage the implementation for you, get in touch with us.
You might also find this helpful: Nine ways to get your staff onboard with cyber security
