We all know by now how important data is for modern businesses, however, there’s one kind of data that has a value far higher than most other types of data and that’s payroll data.

The information that typically makes up payroll data is confidential; it’s details like bank account numbers, addresses and national insurance numbers. It’s valuable not only to hackers but also to the people they steal it from. That’s why avoiding these kinds of cyber security breaches is vital for keeping your business working successfully.

So how can you make sure your payroll data is as secure as possible? Luckily there are a number of things you can do…

1. Talk to experts (like us) about exactly what cyber security measures are best for your business. It’s rare that a one size fits all approach works when it comes to cyber security so getting it tailored to your needs is vital.
2. Always keep your software up to date. Software updates don’t just give you access to new features, the are also responsible for delivering the latest security patches as well.
3. Make sure you know your payroll partner well. This is particularly relevant if you outsource your payroll as it’s on you to make sure they are using the latest software and are fully cyber secure. The best time to check these issues are before you sign the contract to work with a payroll partner and a top tip is to pay close attention to their reviews and case studies too.
4. Use robust passwords. Passwords are a topic we hark on about loads here at Dynamic Networks, and with good reason. Passwords are notorious for being the weak point in what can otherwise be very thorough cyber security strategy. When it comes to your payroll software it is imperative that the information it holds is properly password protected, that means using an alpha-numeric password including at least 7 characters and a special symbol. It should also be a password that is changed regularly, and doesn’t use any real words or sequences.
5. Training staff on the latest cyber security best practices and how to spot suspicious activities is also vital in keeping your data safe. It can also help prevent security breaches that can occur as a result of your staff’s actions such as leaving unattended computers unlocked. These small, innocent actions, can be the difference between getting hacked and not getting hacked.

For even more useful information on how to keep your payroll data safe, you can read this and this.