By enhancing SharePoint security, organizations can improve their data loss prevention best practices. For example, if the U.S. military had strengthened its SharePoint security, the incident involving an analyst leaking thousands of government cables to WikiLeaks could have been avoided, as these documents were held in a SharePoint server, according to InformationWeek.

One of the most effective things that chief information officers can do is create a SharePoint security training program, since there is often a disconnect between productivity and data protection. Educated employees will likely be able to realize the importance of remaining safe, even when trying to improve efficiency, the news source reported.

Another safety practice decision-makers can employ is to add encryption to SharePoint-based solutions. Since the framework is unencrypted out of the box, it can be vulnerable to exploitation. Implementing encryption will help the data stored in SharePoint systems remain secure, InformationWeek noted.

According to a recent Cryptzone survey, more than one-third of respondents said they never considered the implications of poor SharePoint security. By taking basic steps like adding encryption and educating employees on the importance of data protection, companies can keep their information safe from exposure.