Data security is the combination of policies, procedures and technologies that guard information from unauthorized access or manipulation. Robust data security also safeguards important information and ensures it is disposed of properly after the organization no longer requires it. It helps companies comply with legal and compliance requirements such as GDPR, CCPA and HIPAA, and prevents costly lawsuits and reputational harm caused by accidental or malicious activities, like employee mistakes and ransomware.
Authentication refers to the process of accurately identifying people before they are able access or manipulate information. This typically includes using passwords, PIN numbers, swipe cards, biometrics and other methods to validate identities before allowing access to data. It is also important to keep records of all user activities and to establish controls to restrict the access to data or who is able to share it as well as to monitor and identify any suspicious or unusual activity that could be a sign of an attack.
The classification of data allows organizations to prioritize and organize information in accordance with its importance. It is crucial to determine the types of information you collect and only use the information that is essential to your business operations and goals. It’s equally important to have a clear plan to ensure you have the ability to access and recover data in the event of system failure, natural disaster or a data breach. This typically involves storing complete backups, differential and increment copies of critical data in locations physically separated from your original storage device as well as networking.