Data Security

Your data is a hot commodity, and some will stop at nothing to get it.

Therefore, maintaining strong data security has never been more important, especially since hybrid and remote working environments have become mainstream.

Data security involves protecting digital information throughout its entire lifecycle, from creation to disposal. This process ensures sensitive data, like personal details or business records, stays safe from unauthorized access or theft.

Each stage—creation, storage, usage, and disposal— has its unique security requirements. Both physical and digital safeguards, like encryption and access management, are essential to keep this data secure.

Data Security Posture Management (DSPM) plays a vital role within this lifecycle by enabling continuous monitoring and control of all aspects of your digital data.

Why Is Data Security Important?

Data is a critical yet highly sensitive asset for businesses, governments, and all individuals. Whether it’s a database containing millions of social security numbers or your credit card details, it’s easy to see why people want to steal it.

Securing data for its entire lifecycle ensures a watertight ship by preventing:

• Reputational damage from publicized breaches
• Legal consequences due to privacy violations
• Financial losses from theft, fraud, or operational disruption

Additionally, data security is obligatory for compliance with the main bodies that govern privacy laws, like GDPR, HIPAA, PCI DSS, and others. 

The best way to ensure data security throughout its lifecycle is by using DSPM tools to monitor data flows, detect vulnerabilities, and enable proactive protection before a breach occurs.

Key Challenges in Data Security

Securing data across its lifecycle is complex due to evolving threats and diverse environments.

Insider Threats

Employees can easily expose sensitive data throughout its lifecycle.

This could be a negligent act (such as leaving a laptop unlocked) or a malicious one, where someone intentionally misuses access.

Either way, insider threats are a major risk, so monitoring user behavior and limiting access and privileges are key to reducing this risk.

Complex Data Environments

Hybrid working environments, IoT devices, distributed data storage, etc., all present a complex, multi-locational challenge where data security is concerned. 

DSPM offers centralized visibility, streamlining monitoring and ensuring consistent security measures across diverse systems.

Rapidly Evolving Threat Landscape

As soon as new technology or software becomes available, you can bet that cybercriminals are hard at work finding ways to exploit it.

Common malicious acts like phishing, ransomware, or advanced persistent threats (APTs) are becoming more sophisticated.

Without ongoing threat detection in place, it becomes much harder to respond to threats before they become a bigger problem. 

Compliance Complexities

Most businesses have to abide by data security regulations, but staying compliant is complex, especially for global organizations that have to deal with several sets of regulatory bodies.

HIPAA, GDPR, and other laws and regulations come with their own sets of rules. Keeping track of it all is challenging, and organizations can face serious consequences if they are found non-compliant.

Fortunately, DSPM tools help track data flow, fix compliance gaps, and automate controls across the lifecycle.

Types of Data Security

Data security is large, complex, and varied. Yet, it can be broadly divided into four categories:

1. Encryption

Encryption protects data at rest or in transit by converting it into unreadable code. If intercepted, the data is useless to unauthorized parties.

Encryption standards like Advanced Encryption Standard (AES), Rivest-Shamir-Adleman (RSA), and tokenization are integral to business data management and are typically integrated into a DSPM system for strong end-to-end protection.

2. Access Control and Authentication

Multi-factor authentication (MFA) and role-based access control (RBAC) ensure that only authorized users can access certain data.

Additionally, identity and access management (IAM) tools play an essential role in all stages of the lifecycle. They continuously monitor permissions and prevent unauthorized access at all times.

3. Data Backup and Recovery

What would you do if your data suffered a breach or disaster? 

Having mechanisms in place to deal with such emergencies is very important. Not only because it prevents data from falling into the wrong hands, but it also ensures business continuity.

For instance, a DSPM can help automate data protection and recovery protocols. This will enable data recovery throughout all lifecycle stages.

4. Data Masking and Tokenization

Data masking and tokenization replace actual data with scrambled or substitute values during the usage stage, particularly when processing or transferring.

These mechanisms protect sensitive information by minimizing the risk of exposure and reducing the impact of breaches. Even if breached, the data remains unusable.

How to Create a Data Security Strategy

Having the right tools is only part of the equation. A strong data security strategy ensures consistent protection across all lifecycle stages, no matter the environment or threats.

Identify and Classify Data

The first step is to identify what types of data you have and classify them accordingly. This includes data stored on-premises, in the cloud, or by remote workers.

Understanding your data and how sensitive it is will enable you to secure it appropriately during the creation and storage stages.

You’ll be pleased to hear that this doesn’t have to be a manual process. DSPM platforms automate this process and offer real-time visibility.

Choose the Right Tools

Finding solutions for discovery, classification, loss prevention, and threat detection should be approached with care. Pick tools that:

• Have an impeccable track record
• Offer a high standard of support
• Have great reviews and reputation
• Continuously update and improve

Integration is crucial, too, since all tools must work seamlessly together as one unified solution. DSPM platforms enable this by integrating third-party security tools to provide end-to-end lifecycle protection.

Implement Access Controls

This is something you must establish right away. Only give data visibility and access to those who actually require it. 

At this stage, role-based access control (RBAC) becomes essential, as well as implementing least-privilege policies.

Doing so provides the right level of access to the right people. A DSPM will help enforce these policies at scale and ensure that access is tightly controlled across the board.

Monitor and Audit Regularly

Data security is not a one-and-done type of deal. 

Threats evolve, so continuous monitoring for unusual patterns or trends is a must, and every stage should be regularly audited.

A DSPM will be your ally in this area, aiding and facilitating ongoing audits and risk assessments to maintain a top level of security.

Best Practices for Data Security

Best practices run throughout all areas of data security, so you must do your best to uphold them. This will help you remain compliant and also ensure your security protocols are the best they can be.

Consider the following best practices:

• Adopt Zero Trust principles: Continuously verify user identity and device trust before granting access.
• Stay up-to-date: Regularly update encryption, access controls, and threat detection tools to counter evolving threats.
• Provide training: Educate staff on phishing, passwords, and secure data handling to reduce human error.
• Leverage automation: Use a DSPM with AI to detect risks and respond faster, reducing manual effort and errors.

Benefits of Data Security

Ensuring security throughout the entire data lifecycle brings many benefits, including:

• Enhanced protection of sensitive information
• Streamlined compliance with data regulations
• Increased business reputation and customer/stakeholder trust
• Cost savings by preventing data loss, minimizing breach costs, and reducing downtime

How Cyera Supports Data Security

DSPM solutions are designed to provide continuous protection across every phase of the data lifecycle. 

By using Cyera to automate key processes and provide real-time insights, you can manage data securely, efficiently, and in compliance with regulations.

Here’s how Cyera supports data security:

• Discover: Automated discovery and classification of sensitive data. This ensures visibility at all times, including where data is, how it’s used, and who has access.
• Protect: Real-time data loss prevention, encryption, and user behavior monitoring that secures data from unauthorized access and data leaks.
• Comply: Built-in regulatory policy templates aligned with key regulations to ensure compliance across every phase of the data lifecycle.
• Respond: Continuous monitoring for threats and anomalies, enabling rapid detection and response. Automated remediation tools help limit damage, restore data integrity, and ensure business continuity when incidents occur.

Check out Cyera’s free demo to see its capabilities in action.

Frequently Asked Questions About Data Security

What is the difference between data security and data privacy?

The difference is that data security focuses on protecting data from unauthorized access or breaches, while data privacy governs how data is collected, used, and shared.

How does encryption protect data throughout its lifecycle?

Encryption protects the data lifecycle by scrambling it into unreadable code, ensuring it remains secure during storage, transfer, and access. If intercepted or breached, the data is useless to unauthorized individuals.

What are the biggest challenges to securing data through its lifecycle?

The key challenges for data security include:

• Insider threats
• Hybrid working environments
• Evolving cyberattacks
• Maintaining regulatory compliance

Why is compliance so crucial for data security at all stages of the lifecycle?

Data security compliance is crucial because it ensures that it meets the strict regulatory requirements of bodies like GDPR and HIPAA. Ensuring compliance avoids penalties, legal issues, and reputational damage.

How can Cyera help secure sensitive data across the entire data lifecycle?

Cyera provides automated discovery, protection, compliance, and threat response tools, offering continuous visibility and control from data creation to disposal.

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