The COVID-19 pandemic has led organizations of all sizes to review their approach to data management. During a crisis, data needs to be protected against theft, loss and misuse.
The increasing use of cloud services, mobile devices and interconnected networks has heightened the risk of data being lost. Organizations are increasingly paying special attention to data security as they seek to protect themselves from the growing threat of cybercrime.
As this year is expected to be record-breaking in terms of data breaches, data safety should be a top priority for businesses as we head into 2022.
Here are trends that data security professionals should pay close attention to in the year to come.
1. Re-evaluating data protection policies in light of remote work
The rapid growth of remote work has inevitably resulted in an increase in the number of mobile devices requiring access to the corporate network. As a result, as users install potentially malware-infected software and expose enterprise data to international networks, including those of their friends and family, new security dangers have arisen.
The fact that these devices belong to the employees should not be overlooked by IT security personnel. In a situation like this, normal rules and regulations for enforcing new upgrades may be ineffective, necessitating a re-evaluation of present data protection measures.
2. Growing importance of compliance
Compliance is an increasingly important factor for organizations of all sizes. As data breaches have become a regular affair, companies are being held accountable for their own data safety.
As a result, a growing number of companies are taking the necessary steps to make sure their data is protected against unauthorized access.
From implementing email archiving solutions to making sure the sensitive information of their customers is encrypted, organizations should be taking the necessary steps to make sure that they’re compliant with relevant regulations. Failing to meet compliance standards can result in substantial fines, as well as damage to a company’s reputation.
3. Rising popularity of zero trust
Traditional security models make the error of assuming that all elements that are part of the network can be trusted. Zero trust, on the other hand, assumes that no user, internal or external to the network, can be trusted by default.
Zero trust is more than just a buzzword; it is becoming a requirement. Growth of zero trust will undoubtedly occur in 2022. One of the reasons that a zero-trust security model is required today is that organizations no longer store data in-house, but rather on a range of platforms and services that are both on premises and off premises. As a result, workers and partners access apps from a variety of devices in various geographical areas.
The conventional security approach is no longer applicable for today’s complicated networks. Zero trust models are becoming more important and powerful, particularly in this era of extensive remote employment.
4. Continued expansion of encryption
Encryption technology is becoming increasingly widely used, and this trend is expected to continue. Although highly regulated businesses such as health care and finance were early adopters, encryption can and should be used by more industries – and must be a component of data protection regulations.
More businesses will use the technology once they discover that encrypted data is useless to thieves and that encryption is feasible and has the potential to solve many of the data privacy concerns.
This is especially true as more businesses are required to comply with rules such as GDPR, which expressly compels firms to implement encryption to secure consumers’ data and limit the dangers connected with data transfers.
5. Emphasis on security as a return on investment
The rising importance of data security is attracting more businesses than ever before. Many organizations are now realizing that implementing data protection measures is not only necessary but also has important financial implications.
A data breach can have severe consequences for an organization’s reputation and financial standing. Organizations that implement data protection measures are better positioned to meet compliance requirements, reduce liability or fines, and mitigate the costs associated with data security breaches.
The ever-growing threat of cybercrime, combined with the potential financial costs of a data breach, will ensure that data security continues to be a priority for organizations of all sizes in 2022.
Over to you
Cybercriminals seized the opportunity given by the transition to remote work in 2020 and doubled down in 2021, setting a new high for data breaches. As authorities put more pressure on companies to secure their data, it’s important to understand the trends and technologies that will help protect scattered corporate networks that don’t yet have a real perimeter.
Remote work is altering data protection rules; zero trust and encryption are becoming essential weapons in the face of an assault of attacks.
Consider these five trends when you develop or enhance your data security plan to combat the ever-increasing breaches that jeopardize your organization’s data.
