When it comes to managing any kind of project, keeping data and information safe should be at the top of your priority list. The internet is rife with malicious attacks and data leaks that could compromise your project or even dismantle it altogether.
Luckily, there are a wide range of tips, programs, and software available to help keep your project safe and secure from prying eyes.
In this guide, we’ll take a look at eight of the most effective ways to keep project management safe.
1. Choose A Reliable Project Management Tool
Project management tools can be a real asset to your project. These kinds of software allow you to keep all aspects of your project in one place. This can be a game changer when it comes to organization and collaboration.
That being said, not all project management tools are as secure as others. Even if they are not malicious software themselves, certain tools may be much more prone to hacking and data leaks than others.
It is always a good idea to research how certain project management tools can keep your information safe before settling on which is best suited to your project.
2. Protect Your Password
All aspects of a project should be protected by a password as an absolute minimum. However, just because a project has a password does not mean it is automatically secure. Passwords often appear in data leaks, which means reusing the same passwords is never a good idea. That being said, it can be tricky to remember a multitude of complex passwords for different projects. This is where password managers can come in handy.
Password Managers
Password managers are valuable tools that can be accessed by all colleagues dedicated to a single project. This kind of software can store all passwords in one place, meaning employees will have constant access to complicated passwords should they forget.
There are multiple password managers, such as 1Password and NordPass that are built with project management in mind.
Multi-factor Verification
What used to be called two-step verification, multi-factor verification can be a real asset when it comes to protecting a project. These tools incorporate more than one ‘factor’ to enable an individual to access information. Meaning, as well as a password, employees may need to input a security code sent to their mobile or pass facial recognition to gain access to the project’s information.
3. Use an Antivirus software
Antivirus software is a must when it comes to protecting a project. They are able to detect and alert you to malware on your device, as well as remove the malicious software altogether. It is advised that project managers read through and understand a guide on top antivirus software so they know what is likely to be most effective for their team and the particulars of their project.
Sometimes the simplest answers are the best, and having good antivirus software is an excellent way to be proactive in protecting the information related to your project from any malware that may corrupt that information or damage your hardware.
4. Ensure Everyone Involved in the Project is Adequately Trained
Keeping a project safe starts with us. People are often the biggest reason for data leaks and security breaches. One mistake, such as an inadvertently given password, can compromise the entire project. That’s why it is essential to ensure that everyone involved in a project is taught how to keep themselves and the project safe while they work.
Making sure staff are up-to-date with security training, and having protocol that they can refer to, is an excellent way to ensure the safety of a project as well as safeguard yourself and others against potential threats.
There are multiple forms of security training available for your team, such as Huntress and Phished, that have a lasting impact on learners and help bring security to the forefront of your project.
5. Limit User Access Privileges
When it comes to managing a team involved in a project, it is important to consider that not everyone needs access to the same information. People working in different departments and with different responsibilities, may not ever need to look at certain aspects of the project.
Limiting access privileges within a team is a great way to reduce the risk of data breaches and security leaks. Not only that but it gives project managers a good idea of who is privy to what information, and who should be communicated with if any issues should arise.
6. Incorporate a VPN
A Virtual Private Network (VPN) is an incredibly useful tool to help ensure the security of projects that are accessed through the internet. This is because VPNs effectively conceal their user’s IP addresses when connected to public wifi, meaning that malicious individuals are unable to track their location or steal information.
Encouraging all those involved in a project to download a VPN is a great step to ensuring the continued security of a project. Many VPNs, such as NordVPN and ExpressVPN have certain features designed for corporate use.
Not only that but the additional benefits a VPN brings, such as its ability to allow users to bypass geographical restrictions, can help benefit a project in more ways than just security.
7. Use a Firewall
Firewalls prevent unwanted internet traffic from interfering with a project. They are a great tool that helps keep your information safe from any unwanted or harmful web traffic. The term comes from the idea of a physical wall being able to slow the spread of a fire, and in a similar way, firewalls are able to slow the spread of malicious web traffic.
Many Antivirus software contain firewall features, but project managers must ensure these are enabled and running while accessing the project.
8. Create an Incident Report Plan
All previous tips have been tailored towards preventing security breaches and being proactive in ensuring the safety of your project. However, it is important to understand data breaches and mistakes can happen, and when they do, it is good to have a thorough plan in place.
Effective plans should detail exactly what must be done in response to a particular security incident. It should clearly state the role of every colleague involved, and act as a step-by-step guide on how to combat the incident.
Such preparation will enable your team to respond quickly and effectively to any security incidents, therefore resolving the issue in a streamlined manner.
Conclusion
As we have seen there are many ways to ensure the continued security of a project. Although some of these tips require certain purchases and software, much of the best advice comes from effective team organization.
Ensuring everyone is up to date with security protocol, alongside establishing an effective incident report plan are two of the most valuable methods of protecting your project.
