How to Secure Sensitive Data Across Multiple Platforms and Devices?

In this rapidly evolving tech world, sensitive and confidential information is spread across and distributed through numerous platforms, gadgets, and devices, making it extremely difficult to secure. Remote work culture is increasing at a rapid pace. This has led to the leveraging of cloud-based tools and IoT (Internet of Things) to a great extent. It further increases the risk of cyber-attacks and data breaches. 

This blog will provide you with insights into best practices and methodologies to secure sensitive data across a diverse range of tools and devices.

Know More About Risks Involved: 

Before discussing the right solutions, it is crucial to know about the risks associated with sensitive data spread over numerous gadgets. Some of these risks are: 

1. 
   

   Data breach:
   Data breaches can arise due to different reasons, such as malware attacks, unauthorized access to files and documents, phishing attacks, etc. These attacks lead to sensitive information and confidential data getting breached.

   
   


2. 
   

   Data loss:
   Data loss happens whenever someone accidentally deletes data, or when there is failure of hardware or software. This leads to permanent data loss.

   
   


3. 
   

   Data damage or data corruption:
   This happens because of malware attacks, bugs in a software, and hardware component failures.

   
   


4. 
   

   Compliance risks:
   Compliance risks arise when an enterprise fails to comply with necessary regulatory requirements. It further leads to penalties and harms the reputation of a company.

   
   

Best Practices to Secure Sensitive Data:

It is highly recommended to adequately follow the best practices as mentioned below for keeping your documents and files secure over various devices and platforms: 

1. 
   

   Having a Zero-Trust Architecture in place:
   Enterprises can resort to executing a robust zero-trust architecture that believes all the gadgets and users are malicious actors, threat vectors or attack surfaces.

   
   


2. 
   

   Encryption tool:
   It is recommended to leverage encryption methods for securing information and data, both at rest or in transit. It allows you to use a key, and the document can only be decrypted using a key.

   
   


3. 
   

   Using access control feature:
   It is a good practice to restrict access to sensitive information to authorized personnel only rather than granting access to all. Additionally, you can also opt for a user authentication tool.

   
   


4. 
   

   Using secured protocols for communication:
   It is recommended to use HTTPS or SFTP for effective safeguarding of confidential data. Enabling HTTPS or SFTP facilitates the secure storage of confidential and sensitive files within the organization.

   
   


5. 
   

   Timely patching and upgrading software:
   You must schedule patching and upgrading of different software on a timely basis. It also helps decrease the risk of data exploitation.

   
   


6. 
   

   Highly secured storage platform:
   It is recommended to opt for a secure storage tool, such as an encryption-based cloud storage platform and a secure file-sharing tool, for safeguarding confidential information.

   
   


7. 
   

   Executing incident response plan and disaster recovery plan:
   It is necessary to have a robust disaster recovery plan and incident response plan that is designed with business continuity in mind whenever a security threat incident occurs. These are the must-have plans for your enterprise.

   
   

Securing Sensitive Data over Various Devices: 

You must use device-based methodology for efficiently securing confidential and sensitive information across different devices, such as:

1. 
   

   Laptop Security:
   You must leverage techniques like complete disk encryption methods and laptop tracking tools to secure sensitive documents and files on the laptop.

   
   


2. 
   

   Desktop security:
   You must use desktop encryption techniques and a desktop tracking tool to secure sensitive and confidential information on desktops easily.

   
   


3. 
   

   IoT device security:
   You must leverage the IoT device encryption method and IoT device tracking tool to secure any sensitive data of the IoT device effectively.

   
   


4. 
   

   Mobile device security:
   You must use a mobile handset encryption tool and mobile tracing software to protect sensitive information on any mobile phone.

   
   

Securing Sensitive Data over Various Platforms: 

You must use platform-based methodology for efficiently securing confidential and sensitive information across different platforms, such as:

#1 Cloud Security: 

You must utilize cloud access security brokers (CASBs) and cloud workload protection platforms (CWPPs) to secure sensitive information in the cloud tool effectively. 

#2 Endpoint security: 

You must incorporate cutting-edge features, such as endpoint protection platforms (EPPs) and EDR (endpoint detection and response), to efficiently secure confidential and sensitive documents on endpoints. 

#3 Network security: 

You must leverage tools such as intrusion detection systems (IDs) and firewalls for securing sensitive files and other data in transit with ease. 

#4 Mobile security: 

It is recommended to use tools such as mobile device management (MDM) and mobile application management (MAM) to secure documents and files on mobile devices. 

Conclusion: 

In a nutshell, securing sensitive documents and data across a wide range of devices and platforms is non-negotiable for the smooth functioning of the organization. Moreover, this requires a thorough methodology, including defined procedures and recent technology trends, as well as the involvement of employees. By effectively focusing on best practices and device-based and platform-based security recommendations, as mentioned above, enterprises can secure confidential data from unauthorised access, data compromise, and various cyber attacks and security risks.