Data is one of the most valuable assets in the digital age, but also one of the most vulnerable to threats and breaches. How do you evaluate the safety of your data and protect it from unauthorized access, modification, or deletion? In this article, we will cover some basic steps and concepts to help you assess and improve your data security.
The first step to evaluate the safety of your data is to identify what kind of data you have, where it is stored, and who has access to it. Data can be classified into different categories based on its sensitivity, such as public, confidential, or restricted. Depending on the type of data, you may need to apply different security measures and policies to ensure its integrity, availability, and confidentiality. You should also inventory your data sources, such as databases, servers, cloud services, devices, or third-party vendors, and review their security standards and practices.
Evaluating the safety of your data is crucial to protect sensitive information and ensure compliance with privacy regulations Here are some steps and considerations to help you evaluate & enhance the safety of your data Identify Sensitive Data Data Classification Data Access Control Encryption Regular Audits and Monitoring Data Backups Security Training Security Policies and Procedures Vulnerability Assessment and Penetration Testing Compliance with Regulations Data Retention and Destruction Incident Response Plan Third-Party Risk Assessment Security Updates and Patch Management Regular Security Audits Data Privacy Impact Assessments Continuous Improvement Data security is a holistic effort that involves people, processes, and technology
Public: This type of data is intended to be shared with the public and does not require any special security measures. Confidential: This type of data should be kept private but is not critical to the operation of the organization. Examples of confidential data include employee records, customer records, and financial data. Restricted: This type of data is highly sensitive and must be strictly protected. Examples of restricted data include intellectual property, trade secrets, and government secrets. Once I have classified my data into different sensitivity categories, I can start to implement appropriate security measures and policies.
A good way to get started with identifying your data is to compile an IAR (Information Asset Register) information should be gathered from all the different services / departments within the business. This will tell you what the data is and who is responsible for it. You can then look at identifying who has access, where its stored, any third party access, along with lots of other critical Information. This can all be put in a RoPA (Record of Processing Activity) These documents are required by the ICO to evidence GDPR compliance, you can get templates from the ICO website. Once you have this you can think about the next step of assessing your security status.
The second step to evaluate the safety of your data is to assess the risks and threats that could compromise your data security. Risks can be internal or external, intentional or accidental, and vary in severity and likelihood. Some common examples of risks are malware, phishing, ransomware, denial-of-service attacks, insider threats, human errors, or natural disasters. You should conduct a risk analysis to identify the potential vulnerabilities and impacts of each risk on your data and prioritize them based on their probability and consequences.
Assessing data risks is a critical component of data governance and security. By identifying and understanding potential risks to your data, you can take proactive measures to protect it Here's a step-by-step guide on how to assess data risks: Define Your Data Assets Identify Data Stakeholders Data Classification Threat Identification Vulnerability Assessment Data Flow Analysis Compliance and Regulations Data Access Controls Data Encryption Incident Response Plan Risk Assessment Tools Regular Audits and Monitoring Third-Party Assessments Employee Training and Awareness Continuous Improvement Documentation and Reporting Remember that data risk assessment is not a one-time task but a continuous process.
The third step to evaluate the safety of your data is to implement the appropriate controls to mitigate the risks and protect your data. Controls can be technical, administrative, or physical, and aim to prevent, detect, or respond to security incidents. Some examples of controls are encryption, authentication, authorization, backup, firewall, antivirus, audit, policy, training, or lock. You should select and apply the controls that match your data classification, risk assessment, and security objectives, and monitor their effectiveness and performance.
After risk assessment performed, the next step is to implement security controls. This typically involves encryption, access controls, intrusion detection systems, and Data Loss Prevention (DLP) solutions. Strong encryption methods ensure the confidentiality of intercepted data. Access controls such as RBAC, conditional access policies, and others can regulate data access based on an individual's role or characteristics. DLP solutions monitor, detect, and block sensitive data in use, transit, or at rest. It's also essential to establish administrative controls, including a clear security policy and employee training programs. Regular review and updates of these controls, facilitated by a Security Operations Center, are also crucial.
The fourth step to evaluate the safety of your data is to test your security and verify that your controls are working as expected. Testing can be done through various methods, such as scanning, auditing, reviewing, or simulating. Some examples of testing are vulnerability scanning, penetration testing, compliance auditing, log analysis, or incident response simulation. You should perform regular testing to identify and fix any gaps or weaknesses in your security and update your controls accordingly.
The fifth step to evaluate the safety of your data is to educate your users and raise their awareness and skills on data security. Users can be employees, customers, partners, or suppliers, and they play a crucial role in maintaining and enhancing your data security. You should provide them with the necessary information, guidance, and training on how to handle and protect your data, such as using strong passwords, avoiding phishing emails, reporting suspicious activities, or following best practices.
The sixth and final step to evaluate the safety of your data is to review your security and ensure that it meets your current and future needs. Security is not a one-time event, but a continuous process that requires constant evaluation and improvement. You should review your security periodically and whenever there are changes in your data, risks, controls, or environment, and make adjustments as needed. You should also benchmark your security against industry standards and best practices and learn from your experiences and feedback.
Even if you don't have a security certification such as Cyber Essentials, ISO27001 or NIST, you can still use these standards for your audit and assurance implementation. Get an Information Security framework in place using these, and link into business objectives and risk appetite.