Security Breaches: How DLP and DAM Help Keep Critical Data Secure

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shutterstock_147262505With the current focus on detection and malware, many companies may be overlooking core data security as a front-line defense. While it’s important to prevent intrusion through detection tools, a safer and more balanced approach to security is to also focus on complementary protection solutions Data Loss Prevention (DLP) and Data Activity Monitoring (DAM).

Data Loss Prevention

DLP focuses on the effect of end users on security by ensuring that users cannot send critical data outside of the network. When DLP was becoming popular in 2009, many in the security industry thought it would be a single-step solution to securing data. However, it became apparent that DLP was not enough on its own and that it should be combined with DAM.

 

Data Activity Monitoring

While similar to DLP, DAM focuses on data that is moving through the system. This can include end users but also encompasses privileged users, access, applications, and usage. More importantly, DAM monitors and sends out alerts for suspicious activity and blocks this activity and/or the users responsible for it, halting any unauthorized access.

 
Using Both Technologies

Businesses will have better data security from the inside out by using both solutions as a complement to each other. This is especially important as current technology trends are moving more and more towards the use of the cloud, mobile data, and a mobile workforce. Because many DLP solutions haven’t improved at the same rate as these trends, DAM should be used concurrently to allow real-time monitoring of sensitive data all over the system and network.

Keeping up With the Trends

Technology is constantly growing and evolving on both sides of the security fence. A business should ensure that its security solution is current with the latest security techniques and compatible with DAM. When looking for DAM software, businesses should consider the following questions:

  • Is the DAM up to date with the latest trends?
  • Can it work in real time?
  • Can it be easily deployed?

DLP and DAM are best used together to provide a broader area of protection through the use of monitoring, alerts, and the ability to block suspicious users or activities. By knowing and keeping up with current trends and focusing on the security of core data, businesses will ensure their data is kept safe.

SaaS Security: 5 Ways to Keep Sensitive Data Secure

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shutterstock_132157016A majority of organizations–60% according to technology news site SiliconANGLE–are adopting a cloud-based model for business processes. Many of these businesses have joined the movement because Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) offers benefits to both small businesses and large. However, while most SaaS vendors have good security and compliance, businesses should always be aware of how their sensitive data is being kept safe.

To secure data in the cloud:

  • Carefully choose a vendor
  • Implement an access policy
  • Avoid sending sensitive data to the cloud
  • Employ standard security measures
  • Audit security controls

Choosing a SaaS Vendor

Good security starts with the vendor, your partner in protecting data.

When considering the right vendor, choose one who offers security features like password protection, user controls, and data encryption. Understand the vendor’s process, where your data is stored, how it’s backed up, and the process for data recovery. A reputable vendor will also be happy to provide a list of references to show that they’re reliable and committed to security.

Implement Access Policies

Put an access policy in place that limits who can access sensitive data and from which machines. Some businesses may find data easier to secure by allowing employees to access company resources only from their work computer rather than a personal device that may not be as up-to-date with antivirus software.

Don’t Send Sensitive Data

If data is important and very sensitive, it should be kept off the cloud completely, no matter how secure the SaaS model. One of the many benefits of cloud-based computing is integration that allows access to many functions from one access point. However, it isn’t necessary for all data to be available via the cloud. Store sensitive data locally for better security.

Employ Standard Security Measures At A Minimum

Keeping data secure is not only the job of the SaaS vendor and the IT department. Users of the system are also responsible. Employees should know how to create a strong password and help keep their machines up-to-date with antivirus software. A secure password recovery protocol will also help keep the system secure, especially for businesses with a mobile workforce.

Auditing

Finally, businesses should ensure that their security measures are regularly audited. While many SaaS vendors will use a third party to audit, businesses should also have an internal team or their own third party focused on regular audits.

In the past, companies shied away from cloud solutions for fear of data security. That risk has been greatly minimized today, allowing the benefits of cloud computing and SaaS to outweigh the risks. Still, cautious organizations can reduce risk even further using the tips above to keep data secure.

State of the Cloud – 2015

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State of the CloudAt some point in the year 2015, there will be more than 2.5 billion people accessing the Internet with over 10 billion devices. Being able to stream and transmit all that data will require a billion virtual servers connected to a cloud infrastructure.

It is apparent that cloud computing is not just here to stay, but is expanding every day. Below is an analysis of the state of the cloud and its future projections.

The Reviews Are In

A recent survey, the 2014-2015 Cloud-Based Contact Center Infrastructure Market Report published by DMG Consulting, analyzed eight industry leaders in the field of cloud vending. They discovered that a 61.5 percent majority received marks of “highly satisfied” in the following dozen major categories:

  • Overall satisfaction level
  • Professional services
  • Product
  • Up-time/System availability
  • Training
  • Implementation
  • Product innovation
  • Communication
  • Ongoing support and service
  • Product pricing
  • System upgrades
  • Responsiveness to request for product enhancement

Those numbers indicate a reassuring confidence and comfort level among end users who now leverage their cloud computing solutions in contact centers as opposed to former on-site locations.

Growing Steadily
The momentum just keeps going. DMG Consulting reports gains of 12.8 percent in 2013 in the market of cloud-based contact center infrastructure. Even though this rate has sloughed off from the previous year’s jump to 32.5 percent, it indicates a stabilization in the market that allows vendors to track their sales more precisely. It’s obvious that consumer awareness of the many benefits of the cloud has increased and shows no signs of slowing.

If growth continues at the projected rate, DMG is predicting that cloud-based contact center infrastructure solutions will grow an additional 20 percent this year, followed by a growth rate of 18 percent in the following two years, and by a still steady 16 percent in 2018. This paradigm shift from on-site to cloud-based data storage is extremely significant for the industry, as evidenced by DMG’s recent observation, “Never before have we witnessed an all-out rebirth of an entire industry due solely to a new delivery model.”

Beyond 2015

The market has not yet reached its zenith regarding the growth of cloud computing. As customers clamor for more business solutions to overcome any challenges, the industry will continue to respond.

Federated systems have emerged, allowing data, services and communications to shift across infrastructures with ease. At some future point, technological advances may evolve to allow data to safely scale into both private and public clouds; to clients, vendors and partners; and between service providers, without involving data centers.

One challenge the industry will face is how to increase efficiency yet still keep the cloud use straightforward enough to satisfy end users. As the complexity of systems will only increase in the future, a workable solution will have to be discovered.

When moving data outside of the physical parameters of on-premise locations, maintaining security is paramount. Any vulnerabilities must be protected to avoid privacy breaches while apps migrate to cloud platforms. As the industry evolves, best practices for software and hardware, solutions, integration, and processes will likely emerge.

Thanks to cloud computing advances, the interaction between contact centers and customers has changed profoundly. Now, even small centers are able to provide clients with state-of-the-art technologies they could never before afford. All have access to the same host of benefits — scalability, flexibility, savings, and usage ease — to meet their customers’ individualized needs.

As the industry continues its evolution, its full potential will be realized through customer feedback as IT providers focus on meeting their demands.