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Data is the foundation of every organization’s operations, and its security is paramount, whether it’s financial records, intellectual property, customer data, or internal communications. A data breach can be catastrophic, resulting in financial losses, reputational damage, and regulatory fines.
This piece provides key strategies to help you create a resilient data security plan focused on the three states of data: at rest, in motion, and in use.
Each state presents unique risks and opportunities for protection.
Data security depends on the state your data is in—at rest, in motion, or in use. Once you understand these definitions, you can apply targeted protections for each.
Data at rest is defined as information held on physical devices such as hard drives, servers, backup tapes, or cloud storage platforms, as well as on external storage devices and file hosting services. This includes databases, file servers, and even personal laptops that carry sensitive data, often referred to as inactive data or data stored.
While seeming static, data at rest is frequently a prime target for attackers due to its high value. Once attackers acquire access to a storage device or cloud platform, they can take massive volumes of data in one fell swoop. This is why it is critical to implement strategies to encrypt data, ensuring that unauthorized access is prevented and sensitive information remains protected.
Data in motion refers to data that is actively traveling across networks through various communication channels such as email, instant messaging, and collaboration platforms. This includes file transfers, email exchanges, instant message exchanges, collaboration platforms, and remote desktop sessions. When data leaves its storage location, moving from one location to another, it is considered “in motion.”
Attackers can intercept data as it travels across networks if it is not properly secured. Data may be transmitted over a private network or other communication channels, each with unique security considerations. Unsecured Wi-Fi networks, unencrypted email connections, and out-of-date protocols can all make data in transit vulnerable to theft. Instant messaging, as a communication method, is particularly vulnerable to interception attacks if not properly encrypted.
Data in use refers to information accessed, processed, or altered by authorized users. Data access during these activities must be secured, as it is critical to protect information while it is being read, processed, or modified. This may include a customer service person accessing a customer record, a data analyst running queries on a database, or an employee amending a document.
Human error, insider threats, and insufficient endpoint security can all expose data in use. Accidental data deletion, phishing attacks that fool users into disclosing important information, or malware on user devices can all jeopardize data security.
Now that you are clear on the data landscape, let’s dig deep into how data can be secured at its different states.
To effectively safeguard your data at rest, a multi-layered approach is essential. Incorporating smart protection and risk management as key components ensures a proactive and effective data at rest security strategy. Here’s a breakdown of the key strategies:
Encryption is the cornerstone of data security at rest. It operates as an impenetrable fortress, encrypting your data using complex algorithms—a process known as data encryption. Choosing the right encryption method is crucial to ensure your sensitive information is protected. Even if attackers get access to your storage systems, the encrypted data will be unreadable without the decryption key.
Consider storing your data in a safe vault that is only accessible to people who have the correct key. Industry-standard encryption techniques, such as AES-256, provide strong protection; AES-256 is a widely used symmetric encryption algorithm known for its high level of security. Implementing these algorithms ensures that even if attackers breach your defenses, the security of your data depends on the protection of encryption keys, making effective key management essential to prevent unauthorized access to encrypted data. Your data remains safe. Encryption algorithms and encryption methods must be chosen carefully to ensure compliance and robust security.
In the context of asymmetric encryption, a private key is used alongside a public key to securely encrypt and decrypt data at rest.
Not everyone should have access to your data vault. Access controls serve as attentive gatekeepers, carefully verifying the identity and authorization of any person attempting to enter. This includes two crucial components:
Consider assigning separate keys to different workers, some with access to certain areas of the vault and others to the full library. Regularly checking and upgrading access privileges ensures that only authorized people can access relevant data.
For highly sensitive data at rest, such as credit card numbers or social security numbers, consider adding an extra layer of obfuscation. This is when data masking and tokenization come into play.
Technique | Definition | How It Works | Example | Security Impact |
---|---|---|---|---|
Data Masking | A technique that replaces sensitive data with fictitious values that resemble the original format. | Sensitive data (e.g., credit card numbers, SSNs) is replaced with fake but realistic-looking data—maintaining format (e.g., number of digits) but holding no actual value. | Credit card 1234 5678 9012 3456 becomes 9876 5432 1098 7654 | Masked data looks real but is useless to intruders attempting to steal meaningful information. |
Tokenization | A technique that replaces sensitive data with random, unique tokens that have no intrinsic meaning or value. | Real data is substituted with a token (e.g., random alphanumeric string). A secure, separate system holds the mapping between tokens and original data. Authorized users can access real data through this mapping if needed. | SSN 123-45-6789 becomes X8Y7Z6W5T4 | Even if attackers steal the token, they cannot retrieve the real data without access to the secure token vault/mapping system. |
As data travels across networks, it becomes vulnerable to interception. When using any cloud service to transmit or store data in motion, it is important to evaluate the security measures provided by the cloud provider to ensure adequate protection. To safeguard your data in motion, consider these robust security measures:
Data in motion requires additional security. Encryption in transit serves as a secure tunnel, encrypting your data with protocols such as HTTPS and TLS/SSL. These protocols essentially form a virtual armored vehicle around your data, rendering it unreadable even if intercepted by malicious actors on the network. Imagine encrypting the shipment container itself, so that even if someone breaks into the vehicle, they will be unable to access the valuable items within.
Think of your network as the highway itself. Just like traffic lights and security checks enable smooth and secure travel, network security measures protect your data in transit. Here are a few crucial components:
DLP solutions, such as Fidelis Network Data Loss Prevention, serve as a final checkpoint on the data highway, specifically designed to prevent unwanted data exfiltration, with the protection of financial data and sensitive files as key objectives of DLP solutions. Consider DLP to be a squad of inspectors who thoroughly verify each shipment that leaves the network.
DLP can be set up to detect and prevent the transmission of sensitive data types (such as customer records and financial information) via email, file transfer, or other methods.
DLP policies can be set up to monitor specific keywords or data patterns, ensuring that only permitted transfers of sensitive information occur. Implementing these security measures creates a strong defense system for your data in motion, protecting it as it moves across your network infrastructure.
While robust technical controls are essential, human error and insider threats remain significant vulnerabilities for data in use. Attackers may exploit these vulnerabilities to steal data from within the organization. Here’s how you can empower your users to become active participants in data security:
Empower your users to take an active role in data security. Teach them about best practices such as good password hygiene, identifying phishing attempts, and data classification (identifying sensitive data). Regular training programs keep people up to date on evolving cyber risks.
Antivirus, anti-malware, and application control software protect user devices (laptops, desktops, and mobile devices) that access your data. Updating software with the most recent security updates is critical for addressing vulnerabilities exploited by attackers. Monitor endpoints for any suspicious activity that could signal malware or unwanted access attempts.
Building a strong data security strategy necessitates a multi-layered approach. By combining the technical controls described above with a strong emphasis on user knowledge and best practices, you can significantly reduce the risk of data breaches. Remember that data security is a continual endeavor. Stay ahead of the curve by regularly monitoring your security posture, assessing emerging risks, and adapting your solutions.
Schedule a demo to see why security teams trust Fidelis:
Protecting data is not a one-time project—it’s an ongoing journey that demands constant vigilance and adaptation. As technology evolves and new threats emerge, organizations must remain proactive in their approach to data security. This means regularly assessing risks, updating security measures, and staying informed about the latest threats and best practices.
A comprehensive data security strategy combines technical solutions—like encryption, access controls, and data loss prevention tools—with a strong culture of security awareness. Educating employees about smart classification, secure communication channels, and the dangers of human error helps prevent internal threats and accidental data breaches.
By prioritizing data security at every level, organizations can protect sensitive data, maintain compliance, and build trust with customers and stakeholders. Investing in robust security measures and fostering a culture of continuous improvement ensures that your organization is prepared to face the challenges of an ever-changing digital landscape. Ultimately, the commitment to data security is what sets resilient organizations apart, enabling them to protect data and thrive in a world where information is one of their most valuable assets.
Sarika, a cybersecurity enthusiast, contributes insightful articles to Fidelis Security, guiding readers through the complexities of digital security with clarity and passion. Beyond her writing, she actively engages in the cybersecurity community, staying informed about emerging trends and technologies to empower individuals and organizations in safeguarding their digital assets.
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