Data is the lifeblood of any business. As technology continues to advance, organizations are collecting and storing more data than ever before. However, with sensitive customer information, intellectual property, and other proprietary data comes great responsibility. Companies must take data security seriously in order to protect their business and comply with regulations. Here are some of the core strategies every business should implement to keep their data secure.
Secure Software Development Practices
Any security strategy starts with building secure software and applications from the ground up. Here are some best practices:
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Implement security throughout the software development life cycle (SDLC). Security should be considered during planning, design, coding, testing, deployment, and maintenance. Train developers on writing secure code.
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Practice the principle of least privilege. Only allow users and applications access to the bare minimum data and resources needed to perform their function. Restrict permissions and limit access.
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Perform extensive testing and code reviews. Rigorously test for vulnerabilities in code and fix any issues prior to deployment. Code reviews also help detect flaws.
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Use trusted third-party libraries and frameworks. Rely on reputable, maintained frameworks like Express, React, and Bootstrap that have been reviewed for security.
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Maintain and patch systems. Have a process to continuously patch systems and libraries to the latest secure versions. Subscribe to security update mailing lists.
Protect Data and Credentials
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Encrypt data in transit and at rest. Use HTTPS, SSL/TLS certificates, VPNs, and encryption protocols like AES for data in motion. Encrypt data stored on hard drives, in databases, backups, and in the cloud.
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Use a password manager. Generate and store strong, randomized passwords for all accounts to avoid reuse or weak passwords. Enable multi-factor authentication where possible.
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Limit employee access to data. Only provide access to sensitive employee or customer data on a strict need-to-know basis. Revoke access immediately upon termination.
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Mask/tokenize credit card info. Never store raw credit card or social security numbers. Mask or tokenize this data so the original numbers are not accessible.
Access Controls and Monitoring
Controlling access and monitoring for suspicious activity is crucial.
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Implement the principle of least privilege. Give users minimal access based on their role. Continuously review access and permissions.
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Require strong passwords. Enforce password complexity, regular rotation, and lockouts for incorrect logins.
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Set up multi-factor authentication (MFA). Add an extra layer with MFA through biometrics, tokens, etc.
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Log, monitor, and audit access. Record all authentication attempts and access. Detect unauthorized changes or access.
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Employ firewalls and endpoint protection. Use next-gen firewalls, antivirus, endpoint detection, and intrusion prevention systems.
Incident Response Plans
Despite best efforts, breaches can still occur. Prepare response plans:
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Have a Computer Incident Response Team (CIRT) ready. Designate knowledgeable personnel tasked with responding to incidents.
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Train employees. Conduct security awareness training for employees to spot phishing, social engineering, and other attacks.
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Test incident response plans regularly. Conduct simulated breach exercises to improve response effectiveness.
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Engage outside cybersecurity expertise. Work with firms providing threat intelligence, forensics, PR, and legal help.
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Follow breach notification laws. If personal data is compromised, follow state and federal data breach laws for notifying authorities and customers.
While not exhaustive, these strategies work together as a defense-in-depth approach to secure critical business data from both internal and external threats. Data security requires continuous adaptation and education as technologies and threats evolve. However, taking these basic steps lays a robust foundation for any organization.
