Data security software safeguards digital information from unauthorized access manipulation or theft. It includes a variety of tools and technologies, including encryption, logging, monitoring and prevention of data loss. It also includes policies and procedures, as well as tools for dealing with data breaches.
Cybercriminals are only one of the many threats to data security. Human error remains the primary source of data breaches. This is why tools for protecting data contain tools that can spot potential mistakes, such as placing sensitive files on shared drives or opening wrong email attachments.
Another important aspect of data security is the restriction of physical access to servers, storage devices, and other equipment. Physical measures can include the simplest of things like requiring employees to log in before entering the building. They should also consider labeling and securing hardware so that only authorized employees are able to access it. This is particularly important when it comes to cloud-based data centers where the physical space can be out of your control.
Data security solutions also secure information at rest and in transit by encrypting it so that only people with the correct key can read it. This is typically a complimentary tool to firewalls, intrusion detection and prevention systems (IDS/IPS) and networks-based authentication systems.
Another aspect of data security is user behavior analytics. This feature establishes guidelines for normal behavior and detects anomalies that might signal unauthorized access to sensitive information. This feature is typically found in solutions to monitor data warehouses, relational databases, and big data.
