Introduction to digital assets
Any content that is saved digitally is referred to as digital assets, such as images, photographs, videos, text-based files, spreadsheets, and so on. New digital forms are emerging every now and then. MP3s, for example, were unheard of until the 1990s. Therefore, it could be said that the definition of a digital asset is constantly changing over time. A digital asset can be any content, in any format, that is saved digitally and gives value to the firm, rather than a specific list of file types that qualify.
Inventory of possible Digital Assets in the company
You must first compile a list of all your digital assets before attempting to safeguard them. This is critical since many business owners are unaware of their own company's digital assets. Therefore, it is essential to know what assets are the most sensitive and vital for your organization.
Most common digital assets a company holds are:
- The domain name and all material for the company's website
- All your social media profiles
- Lists of customers and information about them
- Photos and any graphics generated by your firm
- Apps that company owns
- Intellectual properties
- etc.
How could you protect them?
Keeping updated with the latest technologies and software
Hackers often acquire access to your digital assets by exploiting security flaws and vulnerabilities within your systems. It is vital to keep your operating system and other apps, including any cloud-based services you use to store your digital assets, up to date. Furthermore, Wi-Fi is one of the most integral aspects of every organization. As a result, to keep your digital assets safe, you must follow the best network security practices. That may include changing the network name, enabling the security policies and controls, and updating the firmware and software on your router on a regular basis.
Educating your employees
Employee education is also an important aspect of safeguarding your company's digital assets. You must make sure that your employees are familiar with cybersecurity’s best practices, such as what to do and what not to do while utilizing public Wi-Fi, using their devices, and accessing certain applications.
Cyber insurance
Cyber insurance can help safeguard your company from internet-based threats. Cyber insurance can cover costs associated with the investigation, company losses such as the time and cost of managing a crisis and alerting customers, and extortion if your digital assets are accessed by hackers. When it comes to recovering from a cyberattack, cyber insurance might be the most important thing for your company at that point of time.
Use of proper and secure authentication protocols
You may want to add an extra layer of protection by enabling secure authentication, such as two-factor authentication (2FA), in addition to limiting and restricting access. When you activate 2FA, the user is asked to answer a question or enter a second one-time password, which is often given via text message or 2FA app, after entering the password to validate their identity. This implies that even if a hacker had access to an employee's password, the hacker would be unable to access your company's digital assets.
Registering your ownership
Digital assets can be appropriately registered for the purpose of authenticating ownership. The content of a business's website, including blog, unique artwork, images, and graphics, is protected by copyright. While you cannot copyright the domain name for your company's website, you can include it in your overall trademark application.
Proof for the future
Take your acquired knowledge of your company's digital assets and make sure they are accounted for in the overall financial and value picture.
Keep a Backup
Finally, it is important for a company to have a good redundancy plan in place for your digital assets. Protect your digital assets with a solid backup strategy, including a backup for the backup itself.
Conclusion
It is not essential to be a cybersecurity expert for you to protect your company’s digital assets. However, you will need to follow specific guidelines and policies for security. When it is done, you can put your mind at ease and focus on leveraging your digital assets to build your business with these guidelines for protecting your company's digital assets.
