GCA’s Director of Common Good Initiatives, Kayle Giroud, met with Authority Magazine to discuss: “Five Things Every Business Needs to Know About Storing and Protecting Their Customers’ Information.”
In the interview, she covered her background and career and then turned to the focus of the interview, privacy regulation and rights. From the interview, Kayle noted five tips for organizations of all sizes:
- Understand Your Data — You can’t secure what you don’t know you have. Businesses should map out their data flow, including where and how customer information is stored.
- Implement Strong Access Controls — Not every employee needs access to all data. Set role-based permissions and enforce multi-factor authentication (MFA) for critical systems.
- Regularly Backup Your Data — Cyberattacks, natural disasters, or even human error can lead to data loss. Having frequent, encrypted backups ensures business continuity.
- Train Employees on Cybersecurity Best Practices — Employees are often the first line of defense. Provide regular training on phishing scams, password security, and incident response.
- Use Security Tools That Fit Your Needs — Many businesses overspend on complex cybersecurity tools that they don’t need. Instead, focus on essential protections like firewalls, encryption, and endpoint security.
