Today, employees and employers are at the forefront of information security. It prompts the need for robust data security policies to make the entire workflow safe and secure. Oftentimes, redundant cybersecurity and data protections create more problems than solutions.

The goal of companies should be to keep up with the up-to-date data security guidelines to ensure network data is secure. According to Gartner’s research, cybercriminals have become cleverer and can now launch targeted attacks on different types of organizations with different tactics.

Here are the most essential data security guidelines that should be on your list:

1. Establish Control Measures for Sensitive Data

When it comes to data protection, you will need to identify and categorize sensitive data. With data discovery, you can scan entire data repositories and get findings. After that, you can classify data using the standard data classification method. But remember that data discovery uses specific data expressions for searches. Nonetheless, you should leverage data classification and discovery technologies to control critical data access points and minimize the risk of data loss and data exposure.

2. Learn about Different Data Technologies

In 2022, databases technologies continue to get more sophisticated. With relational database technology, you can view and segment data with specific administrative needs. Similarly, you can use SQL language to communicate and structure your databases. With SQL, you can pass queries to various database servers in an instant.

3. Establish and Follow Robust Data Policy

Of course, data classification is not enough to safeguard your organizational data.  In fact, you have to create a comprehensive data protection policy with specific data access points, access types, data conditions, and classifications. The objective of this policy is to ensure correct data usage. Most data protection policies have violations with short-term and long-term consequences.

4. Conduct Database Auditing and Change Management

One of the best cybersecurity and data protection practice is to log file activities and databases. It may sound overwhelming, but it is the best way to conduct annual security audit and spot inconsistencies. The key is to pinpoint subtle changes in data associated with permissions. You can use historical information to dive deep and understand use cases of data. This approach will also help you anticipate changes in the environment that may impact data security.

5. Back up Valuable Data

You should duplicate your business’ critical assets and maintain data backups. Fundamentally, if a server experiences an issue, you can count on data backup to restore the operations. In terms of security, you can archive full data, differential data, or incremental data. Ideally, you should opt for periodic data archival approach to retrieve critical information in case of emergencies.

6. Implement Modern Data Encryption

Encryption is an integral aspect of modern data security practices. Unfortunately, many organizations don’t take data encryption seriously. Whether it’s portable or network data, the entire data of your company must have proper encryption. For instance, when it comes to portable systems, use encrypted disks to hold any type of critical data.

Conclusion

An organization can implement the most comprehensive data security guidelines and still be vulnerable to online cyber attacks. Fundamentally, you need robust data security and cybersecurity policies to ensure the safety of data.

Your data protection policies should cover various areas and topics flawlessly. Plus, opt for professional network and security administrators to update your applications. An effective data policy management will make it easier to address the concerns of your security team and resolve data security challenges.

In 2022, you need to stay on top of all cybersecurity practices to secure the future of your company. And this is where VAST comes into the picture. Reach out to VAST to deploy robust and modern data security policies.