3 Strategies For Improving Security In Board Communications
3 Strategies For Improving Security In Board Communications
Information security: across North America and around the world, it’s a topic that businesses and organizations are paying more and more attention to with every high profile data breach that makes the evening news. It has become impossible to ignore the fact that cybercrime poses a very real threat to the data security of businesses of every size, and every board of directors should be concerned about ensuring proper communications procedures are followed, both within their organization and in the board itself.
Here are a few tips on how your board can cultivate better, more secure information sharing practices without sacrificing efficiency and ease-of-communications.
Educate Board Members About Potential Risks
Ignorance is the biggest cause of unsafe information sharing practices, so the first thing you need to do to enhance security around board communications is simply to explain why commonly used tools like email, text, and Dropbox are less secure than they seem. Explaining how easy it is for third parties to access information shared using these tools will help your board understand why it is so important to exercise vigilance in sharing sensitive information online.
Invest In Board Management Software
One of the most important things an organization that wants to build a secure and effective communications strategy can do is invest in communication tools that offer intuitive functionality as well as high-level security. Board management software is one of the best ways to guarantee secure communications between board members and is also a helpful communication tool in its own right.
Board management software provides a channel for documents to be shared and discussed between board members, and while it is easy for accredited board members to access and use, it utilizes extremely robust cybersecurity measures to keep information and conversations confidential. If you want to learn how board management software might help improve communications security for your board, discover how to utilize board management software today. When it comes to data safety, you can’t be too careful, and with so many high-quality software options available, you are sure to find a provider who meets your needs.
- Train Board Members In Communication Security Best Practices
Some of the most persistent security threats arise from board members falling back on communication methods they know to be unsafe because they seem more efficient. If your security plan relies on cumbersome options that require board members to only communicate through a separate, encrypted device, or involve complex password credentials to access, then the chances that board members will simply use the methods they are most comfortable with the increase.
Old habits die hard, which is why it is best to use a two-pronged approach: adopt easy-to-use portal software and find a software provider that offers one-on-one education for the board members who will be using it. This guarantees that board members have access to easy but secure communication channels and are also equipped to use them properly.
Last year, CSO reported that the average cost of a data breach in 2017 was $3.26 million, and 2018 is already shaping up to be another fraught year for cybersecurity. Investing in education, better communication practices, and easy, more secure alternatives to popular tools like email and Dropbox is a low-cost process that can save huge amounts of time and money for your organization, staff, and board.
