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Digitize your office

5 secure ways to embrace digital

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Protect your data

Protect your data

Modern businesses that want to embrace the future and stand head and shoulders above their competition must also embrace change. Thanks to hyper-connected marketplaces and increasing globalization, it’s imperative that organizations begin their digital journey as fast as possible.

Indeed, McKinsey reports that a fully unified digital front in the Middle East would “contribute to economic growth, leading to higher GDP”, with statistics predicting a contribution of 3.8% annually to GDP, approximately US$95 billion.

But any internal overhaul – even ones that will deliver major benefits over the long term – are couched in unpredictable risk factors. One of those is the potential for data to be compromised. So how can business leaders protect their data, first and foremost?

It could be something as simple as investing in better office products. Seeking out providers that focus their R&D efforts on security means you can enjoy greater data protection from the start.

Moreover, some organizations are looking to reduce their paper output. This is not only environmentally friendly decision, but it also eliminates security threats that are inherent to paper-based activities – such as passing tangible contracts between suppliers, storing confidential information in filing lockers, and more.

Secure your hardware and software

Secure all hardware and software

But investing in the right technology isn’t the end of the process – in fact, it’s an activity that requires ongoing monitoring to ensure all your new hardware and software are running at capacity and always updated.

IT departments will be able to set up firewalls and other security measures – these must be installed not only on company servers, but individual PCs, laptops, mobile devices, printing systems and especially any hardware that’s part of a bring-your-own-device (BYOD) policy.

For a holistic approach to office security, the workplace itself must also be secured. That means ensuring the office isn’t vulnerable to external threats: most commonly, unauthorized visitors.

A swipe system where only company employees are allowed access into the building can be a good starting point, but smart business leaders are also investing in remote tracking software installed on business devices. What’s more, encryption software means even if portable devices are stolen or go missing, the data itself is unreachable – reducing reputational harm to the organization.

Finally, investing in equipment from a high-quality vendor such as Canon means your hardware and software will be updated automatically. As soon as the latest security update or patch is released, it will be installed on your systems without delay – meaning your office is at no point vulnerable to emerging and insidious threats.

Education is key

Education is key

It’s true that even the most technologically savvy business leaders can’t protect their company data if their employees aren’t on the same page.

In this way, education should be your number one priority. It’s not good enough to invest in secure office hardware and install the latest security measures on company systems if the people using that equipment don’t follow security protocol.

Too often in recent years we’ve seen even the largest operators – such as national health services, government entities and even ubiquitous social media platforms – fall victim to breaches due to employee error, whether that’s by clicking on a malicious pop-up, responding to phishing emails or mishandling confidential data. This threat is compounded by reports that in the Middle East it takes on average 260 days for an organization to contain a data breach.

Training should be central to your office security policy. And ensure it’s not a one-and-done activity. Instead, enforce regular sessions (whether that’s fortnightly, monthly, or otherwise) for all staff that covers standard security regulations, new system updates, and clarifies who is authorized to access certain hardware and company data.

Find out how Canon’s office solutions can help you create a safer connected office,

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