Data security is the protection http://www.antiviruscompany.net/ of systems and data against unauthorised access, modification and use. This helps to avoid data breaches that could cause disruption to businesses as well as financial losses or penalties for compliance, as well as reputation damage. Modern methods to protect data consist of a combination of tools, technologies and best practices that focus on the three pillars of data protection that include: Confidentiality (preventing information from being exposed or read without authorization), Integrity (ensuring that information is accurate and unaltered) and Availability (ensuring that data is available when it is required).

The first step to effective data security is creating and maintaining an inventory and mapping of your data sets. This involves cataloguing all data stored in your data centers, network-attached storage as well as mobile devices, desktops and cloud services from third-party providers as well as software applications. It is crucial to think about physical storage devices like USB sticks and external hard drives, and also discarded documents and printed documents. These are often neglected but they could contain a wealth of confidential data. Cybercriminals will make use of this.

Once you’ve got a clear view of your data sets, the next step is to classify the sensitive data so that you know how and where it exists within your infrastructure. This allows you to prioritize your security efforts by making sure that the most valuable information is secured while information that is less crucial is accessible. This lets you adhere with the requirements of regulatory and industry, such as those applicable to the finance, health care and telecommunications sectors.