--- title: The 5 Most Serious Data Security Risks & How To Avoid Them description: In this article, we discuss the 5 most serious data security risks & how to avoid them, with the aim of keeping your organisation as secure as possible. image: https://blog.absoluteitad.com/hubfs/philipp-katzenberger-unsplash-data%20security.jpg --- [Get Quote](https://www.absoluteitad.com/contact-us) - - - - - - **Email:** [info@absoluteitad.com](mailto:info@absoluteitad.com) **Phone:** [01332 371 989](tel:01332371989) [![absolute-it-ad-logo](https://blog.absoluteitad.com/hs-fs/hubfs/absolute-it-ad-logo.png?width=479&name=absolute-it-ad-logo.png "absolute-it-ad-logo")](https://www.absoluteitad.com/) - [Home](https://www.absoluteitad.com) - [About](https://blog.absoluteitad.com/#) - [About Us](https://www.absoluteitad.com/about-us) - [Reviews](https://www.absoluteitad.com/reviews) - [Careers](https://www.absoluteitad.com/careers) - [Licenses & Certificates](https://www.absoluteitad.com/licenses-certificates) - [IT Asset Disposal](https://blog.absoluteitad.com/#) - [IT Asset Disposal](https://www.absoluteitad.com/it-asset-disposal) - [What is IT Asset Disposal](https://www.absoluteitad.com/what-is-it-asset-disposal) - [How does IT asset disposal work?](https://www.absoluteitad.com/how-does-it-asset-disposal-work) - [How does collection work?](https://www.absoluteitad.com/how-does-collection-work) - [Computer Equipment Disposal](https://www.absoluteitad.com/computer-equipment-disposal) - [Computer Recycling And Disposal](https://www.absoluteitad.com/computer-recycling-and-disposal) - [How To Dispose Of Old Computers](https://www.absoluteitad.com/how-to-dispose-of-old-computers) - [IT Equipment Recycling](https://www.absoluteitad.com/IT-equipment-recycling) - Secure Computer Recycling - [Sustainability](https://blog.absoluteitad.com/#) - [Sustainability](https://www.absoluteitad.com/sustainability) - [Environment](https://www.absoluteitad.com/environmental-policy) - [WEEE](https://www.absoluteitad.com/weee-directive-policy) - [Supply Chain](https://blog.absoluteitad.com/#) - [Supply Chain](https://www.absoluteitad.com/supply-chain) - [Office Relocation](https://www.absoluteitad.com/office-relocation) - [Secure Collection](https://www.absoluteitad.com/secure-collections) - [Returns Management](https://www.absoluteitad.com/returns-management) - [Asset Reporting](https://www.absoluteitad.com/asset-reporting) - [Data Sanitisation](https://blog.absoluteitad.com/#) - [Data Sanitisation](https://www.absoluteitad.com/data-sanitisation) - [How We Ensure Data Security](https://www.absoluteitad.com/how-we-ensure-data-security) - [Offsite Data Sanitisation](https://www.absoluteitad.com/offsite-data-sanitisation) - [Your Legal Responsibilities](https://www.absoluteitad.com/your-legal-responsibilities) - [Decommissioning](https://www.absoluteitad.com/decommissioning) - [Blog](https://blog.absoluteitad.com/asset-disposal) - [Contact](https://www.absoluteitad.com/contact-us) # The Absolute IT Asset Disposal Blog # The 5 Most Serious Data Security Risks & How To Avoid Them 18 February,2020 |No Comments ![The 5 Most Serious Data Security Risks & How To Avoid Them](https://blog.absoluteitad.com/hs-fs/hubfs/philipp-katzenberger-unsplash-data%20security.jpg?width=3500&name=philipp-katzenberger-unsplash-data%20security.jpg) As hacking becomes an increasing danger for businesses, secure data management is becoming a primary concern. Here are the five leading data security risks and how to avoid them: [![Make An Enquiry](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/1764394/eceb2114-b804-4a13-9c48-b1c1caef1e34.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/1764394/eceb2114-b804-4a13-9c48-b1c1caef1e34) ## 1) Cloud Data Breaches [Cloud storage](https://computer.howstuffworks.com/cloud-computing/cloud-storage.htm) is an economical, efficient, and scalable data management option for businesses. As a result, many organisations prefer it to traditional storage methods. Unfortunately, cybercriminals can siphon information during the updating process. The solution is to choose a cloud storage service provider carefully. Additionally, upgrade the encryption of the cloud storage to block virtual machines that might try to steal data.   ## 2) IT Asset Disposal Breaches Businesses continuously update their hardware devices to meet their storage and performance needs. As a result, most decommissioned IT assets are still in good working order, and can be repurposed for resale in developing countries. Other businesses get rid of old assets through a free recycling service.   Unfortunately, it is possible to retrieve information from old assets, if it has only been removed by the standard delete commands. This can lead to the leakage of confidential customer information. Businesses can avoid this by outsourcing their asset disposal to certified data sanitisation experts such as Absolute ITAD. We not only ensure permanent deletion of data on the assets but also provide a certificate as a guarantee that all the information on the old devices is wiped. You can then resell, donate, recycle, or reuse the used IT assets.   ## 3) Insider Breaches [There is also increasing concern over data security breaches from within.](https://blog.absoluteitad.com/asset-disposal/what-the-latest-data-security-breaches-mean-for-uk-businesses) Former staff and malicious users are the primary sources of internal cybersecurity vulnerabilities. The best practice for minimising this risk is to train employees on how to protect the company’s data from external breaches, monitor their actions, and test for possible breaches.   The other cause of internal data security breaches is when IT assets that have been used at a high level of the organisation are recycled for use by junior staff members. In such a case, information suitable only for top-level management might become accessible to unauthorised staff members. [A business can avoid this by adhering to permanent data sanitisation procedures.](https://blog.absoluteitad.com/asset-disposal/the-most-common-causes-of-corporate-data-breaches)   ## 4) Data Loss As companies shift to different storage systems, data loss is becoming a key concern. It can lead to loss of income, loss of customers, and negatively affects your business reputation. Additionally, retrieving lost information can be extremely costly.   Businesses can avoid this by using tight [API security](https://medium.com/apis-and-digital-transformation/4-tips-for-better-api-security-in-2019-7d3a3b852a45)and [SSL encryption](https://blog.hubspot.com/marketing/what-is-ssl). Also, when using a data storage and management provider, evaluate the data protection and recovery policies of the company. A [secure backup](https://www.ukdataservice.ac.uk/manage-data/store/backup.aspx) is also essential.   ## 5) Backup System Vulnerabilities Insecure backups are the leading cause of shadow IT system vulnerabilities. Since these systems are not central to the daily operation of most businesses, they receive little attention. Therefore, data loss monitoring and access controls are at a minimum, which makes them vulnerable to hacking. [Companies should choose a reputable shadow IT service provider with an adequate data protection plan.](https://blog.absoluteitad.com/asset-disposal/the-double-backup-strategy) ## Be One Step Ahead Of The Cybercriminals Modern cybercrime activities focus on stealing business data for blackmail purposes or nefarious use. Every business should take the necessary precautions to secure their data in active IT assets and properly wipe used IT assets. Choosing a reputable and certified ITAD partner like Absolute ITAD is the first step to effective business data protection. 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