As businesses work toward integrating new systems and innovations into their daily operations, it is very easy to overlook creating precautions against security issues. However, with more companies using bring-your-own-device (BYOD) strategies, for example, the threats of data breaches are increasing.
A comprehensive technology insurance policy can be beneficial for any organization. With sensitive information being stored on smartphones, tablets or laptops, companies run the risk of a security breach should an employee lose the device. Pairing with commercial insurance specialists can help businesses of all sizes find the right policy for their facility.
In fact, cyber attacks have become a top concern for organizations across all industries. Insurance companies and healthcare facilities are just two examples of sectors that are trying to keep themselves and customers fully protected.
The Health Information Trust Alliance (HITRUST) released a report that found that data breaches at hospitals and health systems declined between 2009 and 2012, but increased in smaller physician practices. Specifically, the smaller organizations accounted for 60 percent of the 459 analyzed breaches.
Chris Petersen, CTO of LogRhythm, a security information and IT company, told CSO that it's not surprising that smaller businesses are especially susceptible to data breaches. He added that until a security bridge can be created between new technologies and the risks that they bring, business owners might consider banning BYOD strategies entirely.
When it comes to smartphones especially, when the device is lost or stolen, it can be extremely detrimental to organizations of all sizes.
"There is no fix for this," Petersen said. "If organizations don't have the proper technical controls in place, they will be helpless when it comes to ensuring a lost device doesn't mean lost personal information."