Data security is the protection of data and systems against misuse, unauthorized access and use. This helps in preventing data breaches that can result in disruption to business operations financial loss, compliance penalties, and reputational damage. Modern approaches to data security include a combination of tools, technologies and best practice that focus on three pillars: Confidentiality, Integrity and Integrity.
The first step to ensuring data security is to create and maintaining an inventory and mapping of your data sets. Data cataloguing in your data centers, network-connected devices, desktops, mobiles, cloud services and software applications is important. It's also important to take into account physical storage devices, like external hard drives and USB sticks, as well as deleted printed documents and documents. These are often overlooked and can hold a lot of confidential data, making them an attractive target for cybercriminals.
Once you've gained insight into your data sets the next step is to categorize your sensitive information so that you are aware of the location and how it is stored within your infrastructure. This will help you prioritize security measures, ensuring that only the most vital data is secured and that less important information is accessible. This also allows you to be in compliance with regulatory and industry requirements, such as those applicable to health care, finance and telecommunications.