Data security is the protection of systems and data against misuse, unauthorized access and use. This helps prevent data breaches that could cause disruption to businesses financial losses or compliance penalties, as well reputational damage. Modern methods for protecting data include a combination of technologies, tools and best practices that focus on the three main pillars of security for data that include: Confidentiality (preventing information from being viewed or read without authorization), Integrity (ensuring that information is accurate and unaltered) and the availability (ensuring that information is available when needed).
Data security starts with an extensive inventory and mapping. Recording the data in your data centers and network-connected devices like desktops, mobiles cloud services, and software applications is essential. It is crucial to think about physical storage options like USB sticks and external hard drives, as well as old documents and printed files. These are often overlooked and can contain a wealth of sensitive information, making them an attractive target for cybercriminals.
Once you’ve gotten a better understanding of your data sets The next step is to categorize your sensitive data so that you are able to better understand what it is and where it is within your system. This allows you to prioritize security measures, making sure that only the most critical information is protected, and that information that is not as critical is readily accessible. It also lets you comply with industry and regulatory standards, like those applicable to health care, finance and Homepage telecommunications.
