With the use of advanced technology (AI) and a vast range of digital tools available, data breaches are now a widespread occurrence. The root cause of data breaches can vary for different businesses. A business that has poor passwords or changes passwords too frequently can put the company’s data at risk. A disregard of data secure storage procedures, or a lack of updated software can lead to risk of data breach as your network is not secure. Additionally, a high employee turnover could indicate that employees walk out of a company with access to important information which could also put the business at risk. However, all these problems can easily be eradicated with the correct use of data protection strategies.

How To Ensure You Have Secure Storage

Access control: Ensure that all access control is approved by the IT and security teams only so that access is only provided to those who the data is relevant to.

Access control models like Role-based access control (RBAC), Attribute-based access control (ABAC), and Mandatory access control (MAC) will allow the business to reduce insider threats for the business.

Data masking: Replacing important data with false data that is believable for externals will allow a business to protect the authenticity and usability of the original data.

Data masking can mainly be done in one of two ways.

1. Static data masking alters and replaces sensitive data permanently for all users to ensure details remain confidential.
2.  Dynamic data masking applies masking rules only when data is accessed by unauthorised users whereas authorised users see the original version.

Tokenization: When sensitive data elements are replaced with non sensitive substitutes so that the actual data is secured in token walls to reduce potential vulnerabilities that could exploit a network or system. This can be used to protect payment information or to protect personally identifiable information.

Regular data backups: Consistently backing up data is crucial for data recovery incase of loss, corruption, or security incidents. This can minimise the downtime and data loss by restoring data before losses occur.

Encryption: convert plaintext data into ciphertext so that only authorized parties can decipher the data using decryption keys.

Data loss prevention: This monitors, detects and prevents unauthorised transfer of sensitive data

Firewalls and network segmentation: firewalls function as a barrier between trusted and untrusted networks. Whereas Network segmentation divides a network into smaller zones, each with its own security controls      

Key aspects include perimeter firewalls, internal firewalls, access control lists, network segmentation.

Intrusion detection systems: Monitoring network and system activities for malicious actions or policy violations and take action to block and prevent those activities.

Features of Intrusion detection systems include:

1. Signature based detection
2. Anomaly based detection
3. Prevention capabilities
4. Logging and alerting

Multi factor authentication: Enhance security by requiring users to provide two or more verification methods before accessing systems or data

Common authentication factors include:

1. Knowledge factors
2. Possession factors
3. Inherence factors

Block-chain based data security: Block-chain technology offers decentralized and tamper-evident data storage solutions, leveraging cryptographic principles to enhance data security.

These can be used to secure data transactions, maintain data integrity, and provide transparent audit trials.

Key benefits of block chain based data include:

1. Immutability
2. Decentralization
3. Transparency and traceability

Cloud security poster management (CSPM): These security measures automate the detection and remediation of security risks in cloud environments. Organisations can benefit from these as they help maintain secure configurations and compliance across cloud services.

The features of CSPM include:

1. Continuous monitoring
2. Automated remediation
3. Compliance management
4. Visibility across clouds

Virtual Private Networks (VPNs): create secure and encrypted connections over public networks, allowing remote users to access organizational resources safely.

Different types of VPNs are:

1. Remote access VPNs
2. Site-to-site VPNs

High security storage checklist:

It is essential to have a high security storage checklist to prevent the risk of data breaches, unauthorized access, and data loss. This will guarantee that all vulnerabilities towards your data are eliminated. The checklist below is a clear guide to know that you have a well-established data protection network.

1. The efficiency and reliability of the safeguarded data
2. The cost-benefit ratio of the data
3. How accessible the data is and whether it aligns with the customer service criteria
4. If the data protection solutions align with safety standards
5. If the data meets the ESG criteria (Environmental, social, and governance)

How To Choose A Data Storage Security Solution

The first step when choosing a security storage solution is to thoroughly assess the sensitivity of the data and identify any regulatory compliance requirements such as GDPR or HIPAA. Understanding the type of data you manage helps in determining the relevant protection methods for the data and ensures that the selected solutions provide necessary safeguards and meet legal obligations. After understanding the data and security objectives, technical aspects of any potential security solution must be evaluated to ensure that they work in favour for the growth of the business.