Learning how to protect your digital assets in this day and age is crucial. Since more organizations and companies are shifting their operations online, the threats to data are also increasing.

For instance, many fraud rings are targeting digital platforms. This makes it extra important to be aware of the risks of not protecting your information online.

Improving your security and compliance programs also protects your reputation. Customers are more likely to trust companies and organizations that take the extra step to ensure their data’s safety.

Here are some of the top strategies to protect your digital assets:

Use Strong Passwords

You should always choose complex passwords for your online accounts. Strong passwords combine different cases, numbers, and special characters. This makes it more difficult for hackers to guess.

In addition, refrain from using passwords that contain personal information. Passwords that use your birthday or birthplace are easier to guess than random words with nothing to do with you.

Also, remember to mix up your passwords and change them regularly. So if a hacker gets into one of your accounts, they won’t have access to others. This prevents unauthorized access to your personal and financial information.

2. Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)

Enabling two-factor authentication creates an extra layer of protection for your online accounts. When you enable 2FA, you must provide another form of verification.

The second form of verification is usually a code sent to your mobile device or email. This significantly enhances attackers' difficulty in gaining unauthorized access.

For example, when logging into an online banking portal, you may receive a text message with a unique code. This extra step adds a crucial barrier against unauthorized access, even if your password is compromised.

3. Regularly Update Software

Updated software ensures that you’re protected from the latest threats. Developers release updates that fix vulnerabilities that hackers could exploit. Users can enable automatic downloads of critical security updates as soon as they are released.

Updating your software as soon as possible reduces the risk of malware infections and cyber attacks. For example, the frequent updates provided by operating systems like Windows or macOS often include critical security patches.

4. Backup Your Data & Media

Another way to guarantee your data is protected is through regular backups. You can back up your data online (cloud service) or through a hard drive. This ensures you can recover your information in case of hardware failure or cyberattacks.

The benefit here is twofold: data protection and easy recovery in case of loss. Businesses that backup their data can recover from ransomware attacks without paying the ransom, as they had recent backups of all essential data.

5. Use Secure Networks (VPN)

It's recommended to refrain from using unsecured public Wi-Fi networks when accessing digital data. If possible, use a VPN to help protect your data from being intercepted. Public networks are often unencrypted, which can make them vulnerable to unauthorized access by hackers.

Using secure networks protects sensitive information, such as login credentials and financial information. For example, if you’re a business traveler, a VPN can help you access company resources safely at an airport or coffee shop.

6. Limit Access

Restricting access to your digital assets ensures that only trusted individuals can access sensitive information. Take for example companies that only limit access to financial records to only the finance team. This minimizes the risk of insider threats and accidental data breaches.

With limiting access, you can enhance security and control over who can view or modify critical data. This strategy is used in virtually all businesses to protect sensitive information.

7. Monitor Your Accounts

Regularly checking your online accounts for unauthorized activity can help protect your digital assets. Set up alerts to help you quickly identify and respond to potential security breaches. For instance, you may set up your phone to notify you of a login attempt from an unfamiliar location.

Setting up these notifications offers immediate detection of potential breaches, allowing swift action to secure accounts. Real-life applications include monitoring credit card transactions to detect fraudulent charges.

8. Educate Yourself and Others

Lastly, remember to stay informed about cybersecurity threats and best practices. Sharing your knowledge with others is key in the collective effort to protect digital assets.

It’s also important to stay updated about the latest developments in cybersecurity. You can even attend cybersecurity workshops that discuss the latest information and strategies for protecting your digital assets.

Follow any instructions provided by other users, IT professionals, or software developers about how to use digital tools safely. Educating yourself and others creates a more informed and vigilant community less likely to fall victim to cyber threats.

The Bottom Line

Learning how to protect digital assets is key as more organizations become more reliant on digital platforms. The strategies above are just some ways to protect your digital assets. Keeping these in mind can help your organization become safer and more successful in the long run.