A news feed isn’t complete unless it includes stories about data breaches. Every day, prestigious businesses succumb to a pernicious threat that is expected to cost the global economy $10.5 trillion per year by 2025.
The key to reversing the alarming upward trend in data breaches is to prevent events that could lead to data breaches. Before cybercriminals discover any data leaks, they must be identified and remedied.
Five ways to keep your data safe
1. Identify critical data
First and foremost, businesses must learn how to recognize their own critical data. This entails being able to classify which data requires the most protection and knowing how to use data loss prevention (DLP) systems to safeguard any sensitive data. This could include PHI, financial statements, and blueprint or strategy checks, depending on the industry.
2. Monitor access and activity
The next step in preventing data leakage is to keep a close eye on all network traffic. Automatically discovering, mapping, and tracking what is deployed across your entire business infrastructure provides a real-time picture of your network. Monitoring software keeps track of access and activity, alerting administrators when an employee downloads, copies, or deletes data.
3. Utilize encryption
If your company hasn’t done so already, consider encrypting any private, confidential, or sensitive information. While encryption is not impenetrable, it is still one of the most effective ways to protect data. Stolen data is rendered unreadable and useless thanks to a carefully implemented encryption and key management process.
4. Lock down the network
A primary focus of prevention efforts should be the ability to lock down your network. Data leakage is becoming more common as mobile technology advances. While many employees are aware of the precautions that must be taken to protect sensitive information, others are unaware that their practices are unsafe.
5. Endpoint security
Because data leaves networks via exit points within IT infrastructure, businesses can better manage data loss risk by implementing DLP solutions that monitor and act at these points. This enables IT, staff, to determine what confidential information is being sent out when it is being sent out, and through which channel or device.
Final Thoughts:
When it comes to data protection, your business should be proactive. To keep your security solutions up to date, reach out to Cegura Technologies. We are always there to help you!
