As businesses increasingly rely on data for growth and insights, the need for data security becomes more pronounced. Companies need to ensure the data they use and collect is secure. Noah Johnson, Co-Founder & CTO of Dasera, suggests a comprehensive approach to data security.
Firstly, businesses need to inventory and catalog all their data, structured and unstructured, whether in databases, on-premises systems, or cloud storage. This will help identify all data sources, including shadow data lurking on unsecured devices.
Once identified, data must be classified based on sensitivity so that data such as Personally Identifiable Information (PII), Protected Health Information (PHI), and financial information can be secured accordingly. Companies should work with data owners and stewards to classify data and determine who should have access.
Access control, both internal and external to the organization, should be implemented to limit who has access to sensitive data. Companies can limit access to employees who need it for their job functions and implement multi-factor authentication to ensure only authorized users can access the data.
Auditing and monitoring tools should be implemented to track all access attempts, successful and unsuccessful, to sensitive data. This can help detect potential breaches or data misuse, enabling a quick response to mitigate the risk.
Finally, companies should implement policies and procedures to ensure ongoing compliance with regulations like GDPR, CCPA, and HIPAA. A robust data security strategy can improve operational efficiency, increase customer trust, and reduce risk. By cataloging and securing data from the start, companies can confidently use their data without fearing exposure of sensitive information or regulatory non-compliance.
While many solutions are available to help companies achieve these goals, it’s essential to carefully evaluate each solution to ensure it meets the company’s specific needs and aligns with its goals. Companies need a solution that provides complete visibility and control over all data sources, identifies sensitive data, assesses risks related to data usage, access privilege, and misconfigurations, and enables automation of business policies.
Data is the lifeblood of business growth, and securing it requires an approach that aligns business objectives with data security. Companies can mitigate the risks associated with operationalizing their data while driving business growth by implementing a comprehensive data security solution.
Most businesses are now utilizing data to its full potential to optimize their operations, personalize customer experiences, and identify new market opportunities that can affect growth. However, this growth potential also brings new risks, such as data breaches and regulatory compliance violations. Therefore, security teams must take a proactive approach to data security.
Noah Johnson, who received his Ph.D. in Computer Science from UC Berkeley and founded three companies based on his academic research, including Dasera, suggests that companies must catalog and organize their data to derive actionable insights. By implementing a comprehensive data security solution that aligns with their data-driven goals, companies can mitigate risks and maximize the value of their data.
The benefits of a robust data security strategy are clear: improved operational efficiency, increased customer trust, and reduced risk. With the right tools and processes in place, companies can unlock the full potential of their data and drive business growth. Noah Johnson can be reached online at LinkedIn and at the Dasera website.