Inadequate server security is failing data integrity

More than four in 10 businesses are risking a potential data breach due to lack of adequate server security, according to a UK-based survey of 1,050 UK workers in full or part-time employment.

The research, carried out by Probrand.co.uk, found that 44 percent of businesses are failing to properly protect client and employee data in this way, while 43 percent have suffered a cyber breach or attack in the last 12 months.

Putting that figure into perspective, the researchers note that this means businesses in the UK are more likely to experience a cyber attack than see a rainy day (36 percent).

However, while there are inherent security flaws, there are also problems of understanding and education when it comes to cybersecurity, with more than a third (37 percent) of workers reporting that they do not believe they have important information stored on their server.

This, says Probrand, reveals “just how naïve many workers are about the sensitive nature of both the commercial and personal data they are storing.”

“More than ever, it’s vitally important for businesses to take data security seriously, the heart of which is server security,” said Matt Royle, marketing director at Probrand.

In order to mitigate the risk of a data breach as a result of subpar server standards, Royle recommends measures are taken to protect data at the point of storage, in-flight and across mobile devices, and a secure firewall applied to stop malicious internet attacks at the perimeter.  

“In addition, employee training around handling data and instilling a ‘trust nothing’ culture supports improved information governance, which protects against non-compliance fines and reputational fall out from a breach,” he added.

“Given the shocking statistics that dictate it is a case of ‘when’ not ‘if’ a cyber attack will occur, the final piece of the jigsaw is to ring-fence and protect business continuity with a solid and well-tested Disaster Recovery plan and process.  

“No backup and recovery plan significantly increases the likelihood of a business ceasing to trade beyond a breach.”