The data at your organization will dictate its success. There’s simply no way around this statement. Data is so valuable, in fact, that the average cost of a data breach in 2022 hit a record $4.4 million.
Developing a proper data collection plan is essential for keeping your information safe. We’ve written a brief guide on how to make a data collection plan for security at your company.
These tips will ensure that you leverage key data collection processes. Let’s explore the information you should know.
Encryption
Most people are familiar with the concept of encryption, but not many understand how it works. It involves converting sensitive data into a coded form, making it unreadable without the decryption key.
Authorized users are the only ones who should have decryption keys. This offers a high level of security, even if your company experiences a data breach. It’s also worth noting that encryption helps companies adhere to data storage regulations.
Access Control
Proper access control is essential for keeping your data as safe as possible. One of the most notable benefits is that it prevents unauthorized users from reading or manipulating certain information.
This could involve a scenario where only high-level employees have database login credentials. A form of access control that’s rising in popularity is zero-trust policies.
As the name indicates, this refers to situations where no users are trusted regardless of how often they’ve interacted with information. They’ll need to authenticate themselves each time they access the data.
Backups and Recovery Plans
When you plan your data collection, it’s imperative to include backups in multiple locations. They should be both physical and remote. To clarify, you could maintain database backups on external hard drives and cloud servers.
It’s essential to have contingency plans in place to handle disasters. These should outline the key steps to take after a data breach or major data loss.
Physical Security
Many businesses make the mistake of overlooking physical security. Although this is a much simpler form of data security, it can also be highly effective. Locking a laptop in a file cabinet can prevent it from falling into the wrong hands, for example.
Physical security minimizes the chance of human error. To clarify, one of your employees could misplace a company device at your facility. This puts key information at risk.
Network Security
Your company’s network is one of its greatest vulnerabilities. There’s no shortage of hackers aiming to steal valuable information from businesses. The cybercrime industry is estimated to cost the world over $10 trillion annually by the end of 2025.
While it might seem complex at first, maximizing network security is easier than most people anticipate. Using firewalls and regularly updating your software goes a long way.
Never Neglect Your Data Collection Plan
The right data collection plan will help you avoid issues you may have otherwise encountered. You’ll protect yourself from hackers and ensure you maintain access to crucial information. From here, your operations will run smoother than ever.
At Pegasus Technologies, it’s our mission to exceed all customer expectations. We strive to offer cost-efficient solutions without compromising on quality. You can learn more about the benefits we provide by getting in touch with us.
