What steps would you take to mitigate the risks of a potential data breach in a company’s network?

Steps to Mitigate Risks of a Potential Data Breach in a Company's Network

1. Implement Strong Access Controls: Limit access to sensitive data to only authorized personnel through user authentication, role-based access controls, and regular access reviews.
2. Encrypt Data: Utilize encryption techniques to protect data both at rest and in transit to prevent unauthorized access in case of a breach.
3. Regularly Update Security Software: Ensure all security software such as firewalls, antivirus programs, and intrusion detection systems are up-to-date to defend against the latest threats.
4. Conduct Regular Security Audits: Perform periodic security audits and penetration testing to identify vulnerabilities and proactively address security weaknesses.
5. Employee Training: Train employees on security best practices, phishing awareness, and the importance of data protection to prevent social engineering attacks.
6. Implement Network Segmentation: Segment the network to isolate critical systems and sensitive data, reducing the impact of a breach and limiting lateral movement by attackers.
7. Incident Response Plan: Develop and regularly test an incident response plan to efficiently respond to and contain a data breach, minimizing its impact on the organization.