World Password Day is an annual event observed on the first Thursday in May. The event is marked to raise awareness about the importance of strong passwords. This goes beyond any optional requirements as it affects all of us in a world that is increasingly reliant on technology which is protected by, you guessed it, passwords. For each of us, whether it’s in work or at home, we need to be very astute to the ever-growing threat of scammers trying to hack into any account or sensitive information. According to studies from 2022, a cyber-attack happens every 39 seconds with small businesses being particularly vulnerable, being targeted by 43% of all cyber-attacks. Of those small businesses, 60% must close permanently within six months of the attack due to financial damage. 
But it’s not all doom & gloom because Team Turnstone has got your back! Between the advice we can offer, founded in the frameworks of GDPR policies, and some good advice to uphold any time you use technology, you will be well equipped to fend off any hackers. 
Passphrases & Passwords: Passphrases are a type of authentication method used to verify a user’s identity. Unlike traditional passwords, which are usually shorter combinations of characters, passphrases are longer sequences of words or phrases. Passphrases offer several advantages over passwords. They tend to be easier to remember because they can be based on familiar phrases or sentences. If you are using a password instead, try using 12 or more characters with a combination of uppercase and lowercase letters, special characters, and numbers for creating a strong password. Never use common or simple ideas, such as ‘password 1’ or ‘123456’. Choose something that is personal to you that can’t be guessed easily. Don’t re-use passwords or use a password template for the accounts you hold. If one password is compromised, it increases the risk of further accounts being breached. 🛡️
General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR): The GDPR grants individuals rights over their personal data including the right to access, rectify, erase, and restrict or object to its processing. It is a vital consideration for all organisations. Some of the biggest companies known worldwide have fallen foul of the GDPR Regulations. For example, British Airways who were initially fined £183.4 million before being reduced to £20 million after the pandemic hit and Google who received a fine of £43.2 million in 2019. It is therefore crucial to ascertain your rights and responsibilities when it comes to data protection. Another regulation for this is that organisations that hold your data are also required by law to report certain types of data breaches to the data owners if a breach might impact their rights and freedoms. GDPR is not just for legal compliance, but it also benefits your organisation as it keeps levels of trust in your security systems high and doesn’t risk your company’s finances being wiped out. 
General IT Security Like everything else, it’s far easier to prevent an issue than it is to fix the damage potentially caused by one. As such, let’s refresh on some solid advice to keep your accounts safe:
Regularly Update Your Software: Keep your operating system, antivirus software, web browsers, and other applications up to date with the latest security patches and updates. Along with regularly updating software, frequently back up important data to a secure location, either offline or in the cloud. In the event of a security incident or data loss, having backups ensures you can recover your information. Enable multi-factor authentication (MFA) for your accounts to add an extra layer of security.
Educate Yourself and Your Team: Stay informed about the latest security threats and best practices for staying safe online. Provide training and awareness programs for yourself and your team members to recognise and respond to security risks effectively. For instance, be wary of unsolicited emails, messages, or phone calls asking for personal information or credentials. So-called ‘phishing attacks’ often mimic legitimate organisations or individuals to trick you into revealing sensitive information. Also, check for and use secure connections. This means when you are accessing sensitive information online, ensure you are using a secure connection. Look for “https://” in the URL and a padlock icon in the address bar, this means the connection is encrypted and safe.
Team Turnstone can help you navigate through the vital but risky world of technology and can keep you safe from potential attacks. We will outline the ways in which you and your company should move forward to ensure that you meet the standards for GDPR. With our advice and comprehensive solutions, you can feel rest assured that your digital presence is fortified against threats, allowing you to focus on your goals with peace of mind. 
