Data protection refers to the processes methods, practices and technology that ensure that data is accessible at any time, regardless whether it’s corrupted or lost. This covers everything from backups of data to solid-state drives and cloud storage along with other forms of high availability. It also includes security measures that protect data from being accessed by unauthorised users.
Data protection includes laws and regulations that regulate the collection, use and storage of personal information. GDPR is one example that imposes fines on non-compliance as well as sets the minimum standards for all member states must follow. GDPR compliance requires a detailed explanation of the reasons and methods by which certain kinds of data are collected as well as the names of the individuals who collected the data and the purposes of each action. It also requires that data be accurate and not kept for longer than is necessary for the reason and that all personally identifying information is processed in a secure way.
The volume of data that companies handle is growing and as is the need to safeguard it. In the event of a data breach, it could lead to damages to reputation, fines and other financial burdens. Moreover, 79% of consumers say that they trust companies more when they prioritize data protection, and more than 80% of consumers would quit doing business with a firm that had suffered a breach.
It is possible to protect sensitive data without the use of technology, but the best practice is to encrypt all sensitive information prior to sharing. To protect against loss or unauthorised access to your data, all physical storage devices and devices should be properly labelled and secured. When it’s time to dispose of data, be sure that it’s been completely deleted from all backups and systems.
