Data Security: Major Threats and Best Practices

Data Security: Major Threats and Best Practices

Data security is the process of protecting sensitive data from unauthorized access. It consists of various cybersecurity practices employed to secure data from misuse. Data Security has always been vital. Nowadays with more and more people working remotely (thanks to the Covid-19 situation), there are more opportunities for unauthorized access to your data than ever before.

For any organization that deals in personally identifiable data (PII), it is of paramount importance that data security has to be continually improved. Here’s everything you need to know about data security for your organization, including top threats, legal compliance requirements, and best practices.

Data Security – Major Threats

When people think about threats to data security, the first thing that often comes to mind is a hacker breaking into your servers. But the reality is, the top threats to data security are often internal and a result of the unsafe behaviors of your employees.


Image Courtesy: IBM/Ponemon Institute

Data Security – Best Practices

A detailed data security plan includes various processes that ensure you and your customer data is safe.

  • Restrict access to sensitive information

  • Encrypt all forms of data

  • Monitor and Test your systems periodically

  • Create awareness amongst employees

  • Implement an effective incident management plan

  • Build a secure data recovery plan

  • Erase unused and redundant data

In conclusion, do keep in mind that Data Security eventually is dependent on humans. Your employees are the frontline for the security of your data. Inculcate the right security behaviors at all organizational levels, to ensure that data breaches do not occur within your company and its systems.