Take Control of Your Privacy - Secure Our Future. Part 1

Data is the fuel for tech progress and the very essence of every business aiming to earn and maintain the trust of its clients.?International Data Protection Day (January 28) is a reminder to level up our security game and prioritize cyber hygiene for ethical and compliant operations.??

In our series, Intellias experts dive into the topic. Part 1 is packed with actionable tips and resources to champion best practices and boost awareness among colleagues, business partners, and customers. Stay tuned for valuable insights!?

Keep an eye out for Part 2, which is scheduled for release on February 2. We will offer you a more in-depth exploration of data protection use cases across various industries.??

What is data protection in simple terms??

Data protection is the system of measures and practices to safeguard information from unauthorized access, use, or disclosure. It ensures that personal or sensitive data is handled responsibly and securely to protect individuals' privacy and prevent misuse.?In the business context, effective data protection includes implementing security protocols, privacy policies, and complying with legal requirements to maintain the confidentiality and integrity of information.?

?In finance, for instance, data protection is all about using tough security measures to keep sensitive financial info safe and sound. This includes making sure it stays confidential, intact, and follows the rules laid out by regulators with the goal to prevent any unauthorized access or potential breaches.?

?In the retail sector, data protection acts as a security guard, ensuring the safety of customer information, transactions, and sensitive data to build trust, maintain privacy, and prevent sneaky business or misuse.?

?In travel and hospitality, data protection involves striking a balance between personalizing data and ensuring privacy, safeguarding customer information from breaches and unauthorized access, all the while respecting customer preferences.

Why is it important for businesses to safeguard their clients' data??

• Trust & Credibility Equals Customer Loyalty?

Securing client data is fundamental to trust, a positive brand image, and customer satisfaction. Clients value knowing you have their back, fortifying enduring relationships, and fostering positive relationships.?

• Legal & Regulatory Compliance is Key to Financial Well-being?

Adhering to data protection laws and responsible business practices is the key to maintaining business integrity and avoiding legal complications, safeguarding both clients and the business from financial implications.?

• Lasting Customer Relationships Build Up a Competitive Edge?

Strategically prioritizing data security not only safeguards sensitive information but also fosters customer relationships, resonating with security-conscious clients. This approach preserves reputation and boosts competitive standing, propelling the business forward?

• Cyber Threat Defense Fortifies Business Resilience?

Robust security measures are essential to guard against cyber threats, unauthorized access, and potential data breaches, ensuring business continuity by reducing the risk of disruptions and allowing a focus on regular business activities.?

• Ethical Considerations - Doing the Right Thing Matters?

Respecting client privacy is an ethical duty of business. It's more than just rules; it's about treating clients right - caring for their data aligns with ethical practices and societal expectations, leading to their trust and loyalty.?

How to become better at protecting your data??

In the digital era, organizations of all sizes and diverse markets have every opportunity to develop and implement straightforward strategies to bolster their data protection measures. A fundamental aspect of this effort involves educating employees on cybersecurity threats and best practices. While this principle has been emphasized for a while now by security experts, thought leaders, and industry practitioners, high-level breaches persistently stem from a lack of employee vigilance.??

It is imperative to recognize and address multiple phishing attempts, promote secure password practices, and ensure safe internet usage. These measures are not merely optional but vital. Another crucial aspect involves the systematic use of encryption across sensitive datasets throughout their lifecycle. Securing data during transit, processing, and at rest is paramount. By integrating these critical layers of security, the primary objective is to effectively mitigate or reduce the risk of unauthorized parties attempting to steal or access sensitive files.?

As you move forward, setting up robust Access Control and Privileged Identity Access Management becomes crucial for the main aspects of the security AAA framework. It helps address key questions: Authentication verifies the user's identity, Authorization determines what the user can do, and Accounting securely records all access attempts, making them readily accessible to security teams.?

Living in the ransomware age, it's vital to regularly update your software and back up essential data and critical business infrastructure. Many ransomware recovery efforts fail because of inadequate disaster recovery plans. These plans should ensure frequent backups stored across various mediums, such as physical devices and secure network storage.?

What we have been experiencing here, at Intellias, regularly testing these backups is one of the most important steps along the way. The more an organization tests its backups, the better it can identify and overcome potential issues. When was the last time your organization conducted a full production recovery from scratch? Can you confidently do that? These questions require prompt attention.?

While ransomware remains the most common type of malware, there's a significant rise in destructive malware known as wipers, especially used by state-sponsored hacking groups. Wiper malware is designed to specifically delete data and files from a computer's hard drive. Unlike ransomware, which encrypts data for ransom, or spyware, which steals information, wiper malware is distinct in its goal to destroy data and cause disruption. Its focus on data deletion, including backups, sets it apart. Unlike other malware types, wipers don't provide financial gain for attackers and are usually used against critical national infrastructure and government bodies.?

A little over two years ago, there was an incident known as WhisperKill that targeted 22 Ukrainian government entities and agencies. Fortunately, due to the impressive capabilities of the Computer Emergency Response Team Ukraine (CERT UA), the attack was swiftly detected, halted, and the damage was minimized. This incident further underscores the importance of being prepared for incident response in such cases.

In the spirit of Data Protection Day, we would like to stress once again the essential need to protect individuals' rights to personal data. Recognizing the significant role of data in business success, we advocate for responsible technology use, adherence to industry best practices, and staying updated on standards to shield businesses, clients, and individuals from evolving digital threats.??

Keep an eye out for Part 2, which is scheduled for release on February 2. We will offer you a more in-depth exploration of data protection use cases across various industries.?

#DataProtection #PrivacyAwareness?

Contributors:

Dave Howard , Intellias Global Marketing Director, Retail

Kirill Petrov , Intellias Lead Pre-sales Manager FS&I

Fritz Oberhummer , Intellias VP of Travel & Hospitality

Kamil Fedorko , Intellias Global Cybersecurity Practice Leader