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Data Privacy Tips for Businesses

Picture of Byron Martin Byron Martin : Apr 21, 2025

Cybersecurity

4:40

Protecting sensitive information is a year-round priority for small and mid-sized businesses (SMBs) in Washington and Oregon.

The reality? Cybercriminals don’t care how big you are. And if you think you're too small to be a target, think again. According to IBM's Cost Of A Data Breach report, the average cost of a data breach hit $4.35 million in 2023, and that number is only going up.

For business owners juggling a thousand priorities, it's easy to put cybersecurity on the back burner. But even a single breach can derail operations, damage your reputation, and hit your bottom line hard.

Why Data Privacy Matters for SMBs

Nearly 43% of cyber-attacks target small businesses, and most of these businesses lack the resources to recover from a significant breach. In Washington and Oregon, where businesses rely on trust and relationships, the fallout from a breach can be even more severe.

Here’s what’s at stake:

Financial Losses – From ransomware demands to legal fees and compliance penalties.
Reputation Damage – Lost customer trust can mean lost revenue.
Operational Downtime – A breach can grind your business to a halt.

What Are Hackers After?

Cybercriminals aren’t picky—they’ll go after any data they can get their hands on:

Customer information – Think credit cards, addresses, logins.
Employee records – Social Security numbers, payroll, health info.
Financial data – Bank accounts, invoices, even trade secrets.

How Do Data Breaches Happen?

They don’t always break down the front door. Often, it’s an open window you didn’t know about:

Phishing emails that trick staff into revealing sensitive information by clicking malicious links.
Ransomware that locks your systems and data until you pay up.
Weak or reused passwords that let hackers stroll right in.
Unsecured WiFi or remote connections without protection.

Cyber threats are always evolving—but the good news? So can your defenses.

6 Steps to Strengthen Your Data Privacy Today

It’s important to take every precaution possible to prevent your data from being compromised! Here’s how to strengthen your data privacy.

1. Know What Data You’re Holding

Start by identifying what sensitive data you collect, where it’s stored, and who has access to it. Conduct an inventory to identify customer information, employee records, sensitive financial docs, etc.

Tip: The less you store, the lower your risk. Only collect what you truly need.

2. Encrypt Everything

Encryption makes your data unreadable to anyone without the decryption key, even if it gets stolen.

Tip: Make sure encryption is active both in transit (like during email) and at rest (on your servers).

3. Implement a Strong Control Access Policy

Not every employee needs access to everything. Apply the “least privilege” rule, ensuring team members sonly access what's necessary for their role.

Example: Your marketing team doesn’t need to access payroll files.

4. Train Your Team

Human error is behind 88% of data breaches (Stanford University). Regular training helps employees:

Spot phishing attempts.
Keep work devices secure.
Report anything suspicious.

5. Secure Your Network

An unsecured network leaves the door wide open for attackers. Make sure your WiFi, endpoints, and remote access points are locked down.

6. Partner With an IT Support Provider

Most SMBs don’t have in-house cybersecurity experts. That’s where managed IT services come in. A trusted IT provider can help you:

Monitor your network 24/7.
Patch vulnerabilities before they’re exploited.
Respond fast to potential threats.
Conduct regular audits.

If you're based in Washington or Oregon, look for IT support that understands local compliance requirements, remote workforce needs, and the types of cyber threats hitting businesses in our region.