In the past few years, high-profile cyber-crime cases have thrust the issue of data security and data privacy among the general public. Unfortunately, despite all the efforts and consistent laws governing organizations' consumer privacy, data security is still lagging behind as to where it should be. The growing rate of cybercrimes has also made companies quite concerned about the overall security governance of their data in general. Currently, most of these businesses are dealing with big data initiatives, which comes with its own set of unforeseen issues and complexities.
While the terms 'data privacy' and 'data security' are often used interchangeably, they aren't really the same thing. In fact, these two different factors have a complementary relationship. So before we jump to the data security considerations that could keep you well-prepared in 2018 and beyond, let's look at these two terms closely.
Data Security
Data security actually targets the availability, confidentiality, and integrity of data. In simpler words, it is all the processes and practices that are implemented to ensure data isn't accessed or used by unauthorized parties or individuals. Moreover, it assures that your data is reliable and accurate and is available for the authorized users in need. Therefore, a data security plan must focus on investing resources for collecting only relevant and useful data that helps with business decision-making.
Data Privacy
This one's all about using data appropriately. When merchants and companies use information or data that is accessible, the data should only be used according to the agreed purpose. There are penalties imposed by the Federal Trade Commission for companies that do not keep up with the compliance related to consumer data security. These strict rules were implemented after discovering how companies rent, disclose, and even sell volumes of data related to their customers to other parties without prior approval. It is a well-crafted and executed data security policy that ensures both data privacy and data security, creating a critical and indelible link between the two terms.
Future-Proof Data Security Considerations
With the escalation in cybercrime cases, both private and public sector, it is crucial that all organizations have a data security policy in hand. Ensuring that all crucial data is well-protected and private can be quite impossible to keep track of and may require multiple layers of security. This is where information security training comes in. Having a trained team on board can use skills, knowledge, and technology to identify vulnerabilities in the system. Also, the team improves the response system to minimize the damage of a data security threat. As far as the important data security considerations are concerned, it is important to formulate a policy that covers more than just the basics. Here's everything you need to know:
Data Security Accountability
Data security training ensures your team is aware of the responsibilities related to the IT security. Data classification is important, as it enables the management and IT staff to understand the difference. By categorizing the data, employees can set prioritize and plan how to deal with each category.
Mostly, the IT staff divides the data into the following classes:
- General data
- Confidential data
- Data for internal distribution
- Data for external distribution
Detecting Vulnerabilities
Most hackers are successful in a data breach because they tend to identify and target the vulnerabilities present in the system before you do. This is where the focus should be. With information security training, the team will possess all the information and skills required to scan the system for vulnerabilities. Also, it is important to keep it as a routine check to improve network regularity.
Network Service Governance
A trade team is also well aware of the policies to keep up with network service governance. This enables them to design a security policy around how data breach matters should be handled. It also highlights the security components and the requirement of high-quality tech to improve data security. Components like switches and routers need to be double-checked. The policies must also define the detection of network intrusion and how it should be taken care of.
Filling in The Patches
Creating and implementing a code to fill the patches and eliminate vulnerabilities is a great step in protecting the data against threats. The responsible team should be able to include details related to the patches in the system and how they should be filled to improve data security.
System Policies
The security configuration of all imperative operating systems and servers is an important piece of data security policy. The IT team must define stronger management of passwords and accounts as well as set a layout regarding the different servers connected with the company's network. Antivirus, database, and firewall policies fall under this category.
The Response
In case of a security breach, the IT staff should have a response measure already in place. The procedure will not only include identifying the breach but also evaluating and reporting the incident. The response to the incident policy will clearly define how the problem needs to be solved and the steps that can help prevent the breach from reoccurring in the future.
Control and Monitoring
Keeping track of authorized access is an important data security consideration. Humans can be held responsible for some of the most common digital compromises that occurred in the past. It's best to track active accounts and monitor who's accessing what. If an employee activity seems like a fussy business, the designated IT team should interrogate the individual and control the user accounts more carefully.
Provide Information Security Training
The regulations and laws around data security and privacy vary from one state to another. However, the uncertainty around these laws are not only confusing but are failing to allow companies to protect themselves, their customers, and the misuse of information caused by data breaches and leaks. But with the right approach and training, you can definitely pay attention to the data security considerations that shouldn't be missed.