According to Exploding Topics, the average cost of a data breach for a US company is over $9 million. With such huge amounts of money on the line, it’s vital for any business to take security measures very seriously.
The world of cybercrime is constantly evolving, so you need to take a proactive approach if you want to keep your business data safe. Implementing a solid data protection strategy is a crucial part of this. It will dictate how you approach cyber security risks so you can keep your business secure.
There are three crucial elements to establishing a reliable data protection plan:
- Building the foundations
- Identifying and classifying data
- Defining data protection policies and rules
Let’s explore these so you can put suitable data security measures in place.
Building Foundations
The first thing you need to do is build a foundation based on the data landscape of your business. Define the objectives and goals for your data protection program and identify the specific types of data you need to protect. Prioritize this data so you can use resources effectively.
Make sure you have a reliable team dedicated to your cybersecurity strategy. They should understand your cyber security goals along with the best practices and regulations they need to follow.
This team should be able to communicate all important information to stakeholders and any employees within your company. This helps to clarify roles and ensures everyone involved is on the same page.
Identifying and Classifying Data
Next, you need to perform complete comprehensive data discovery. Use advanced tools to search through your entire network to locate any critical or sensitive data. You should also establish routine scanning to capture new or unidentified data.
Use a classification scheme to categorize and prioritize data. You can do this based on how sensitive it is and the impact it would have if it was compromised.
Defining Data Protection Policies and Rules
You can now develop the policies and procedures to protect business data. This should involve collaboration between legal, compliance, and business units which will ensure all data protection policies meet regulatory requirements.
Your policies should include clear details regarding the acceptable use of data, data handling instructions, and the consequences of policy violations. They should also be translated into technical rules enforceable by data loss prevention (DLP) solutions.
It’s a good idea to specify what data types should trigger alerts or blocks when compromised. You should also set rules to prevent data exfiltration and monitor/control all data movement. This will help reduce the risk of insider threats.
Your Data Protection Strategy
Establishing a reliable data protection strategy is no small task. It’s often best to work with a professionally managed IT service provider like Pegasus Technologies to ensure things are handled appropriately.
We pride ourselves in delivering exceptional service and offer full support throughout business hours from our three offices in Pennsylvania. We can help with all aspects of your data protection, and with our simple pricing structures, you’ll always know exactly what you’re paying for. Reach out to our team today to find out more.
