8. Protecting yourself

Businesses can use a range of physical methods to protect their systems and data. Some of these include:

• Keeping important computers such as servers or mainframes in locked rooms
• Posting security guards
• Security locks, smart cards
• Keeping sensitive data on stand-alone machines instead of networks
• Using alarm systems and video cameras
• Education of users
  • not to tell anyone else their user names and passwords
  • to choose sensible passwords
  • to change passwords regularly

The business can also use software to help protect their systems. Some of these methods include:

Data encryption - data is 'scrambled' before being transmitted through a network. Only the authorised recipient has the 'key'.

Firewalls - software to block access from outside (and to prevent data being sent out in some cases)

Activity logs, passwords and levels of security.