Data security is the practice of protecting digital information from unauthorized access, corruption, destruction, modification, theft, or disclosure. It encompasses techniques and technologies such as security of physical hardware (e.g., storage devices), logical security of software applications, administrative and access controls, organizational policy standards, and other data security practices.

The importance of data security cannot be overstated. It is critical to protect organizational data that contains trade information and customer data. The data can be accessed by cybercriminals for malicious reasons, compromising customer privacy. Compliance with industry and government regulations is also critical to adhere to regulations for the business to carry on operating legally. The regulations exist to protect consumer privacy. Data security is also important because if a data breach occurs, an organization can be exposed to litigation, fines, and reputational damage. Due to a lack of adequate data security practices, data breaches can occur and expose organizations to financial loss, a decrease in consumer confidence, and brand erosion. If consumers lose trust in an organization, they will likely move their business elsewhere and devalue the brand. Breaches that result in the loss of trade secrets and intellectual property can affect an organization’s ability to innovate and remain profitable in the future.

Data security threats include malware attacks such as viruses, worms, Trojan horses; phishing attacks; ransomware attacks; SQL injection attacks; man-in-the-middle attacks; denial-of-service (DoS) attacks; insider threats; physical theft or loss of devices containing sensitive information; social engineering attacks; and more.

Data security best practices include using data encryption technology which uses an algorithm to scramble every data character converting information to an unreadable format. Encryption keys from authorized users only are needed to decrypt the data before reading the files. Authentication is a process of confirming or validating user login credentials to make sure they match the information stored in the database. Employees should continually be trained on the best practices in data security. They can include training on password use, threat detection, and social engineering attacks

Data security is the practice of protecting digital information from unauthorized access, corruption, destruction, modification, theft, or disclosure. It encompasses techniques and technologies such as security of physical hardware (e.g., storage devices), logical security of software applications, administrative and access controls, organizational policy standards, and other data security practices.

The importance of data security cannot be overstated. It is critical to protect organizational data that contains trade information and customer data. The data can be accessed by cybercriminals for malicious reasons, compromising customer privacy. Compliance with industry and government regulations is also critical to adhere to regulations for the business to carry on operating legally. The regulations exist to protect consumer privacy. Data security is also important because if a data breach occurs, an organization can be exposed to litigation, fines, and reputational damage. Due to a lack of adequate data security practices, data breaches can occur and expose organizations to financial loss, a decrease in consumer confidence, and brand erosion. If consumers lose trust in an organization, they will likely move their business elsewhere and devalue the brand. Breaches that result in the loss of trade secrets and intellectual property can affect an organization’s ability to innovate and remain profitable in the future.

Data security threats include malware attacks such as viruses, worms, Trojan horses; phishing attacks; ransomware attacks; SQL injection attacks; man-in-the-middle attacks; denial-of-service (DoS) attacks; insider threats; physical theft or loss of devices containing sensitive information; social engineering attacks; and more.

Data security best practices include using data encryption technology which uses an algorithm to scramble every data character converting information to an unreadable format. Encryption keys from authorized users only are needed to decrypt the data before reading the files. Authentication is a process of confirming or validating user login credentials to make sure they match the information stored in the database. Employees should continually be trained on the best practices in data security. They can include training on password use, threat detection, and social engineering attacks