Data protection is the process practices, methods, and technology which ensure that data is available to users when they need it, regardless of whether it’s been corrupted or deleted. This includes everything from traditional backups of data, solid-state drives, cloud storage and other high-availability methods to security measures to keep data secure from the hands of unauthorized users.
Data protection refers to laws and regulations that govern the collection, use and storage of personal data. This includes GDPR, which has established minimum standards for all member states to comply with and imposes penalties for non-compliance. GDPR compliance demands detailed documentation on what and why specific types of information are data collected, including names of those who collected them and the purpose of every processing action. It also mandates that the data is accurate and not retained longer than necessary for each purpose and that all personally identifiable information is processed in a secure way.
As the amount of data gathered by businesses grows as does the burden to safeguard it. Incorrect handling of data can lead to penalties, reputational damage, and other financial burdens. 79% of customers trust companies more when they are focused on security of their data, and than 80% of them would not consider doing business with a company which has suffered a security breach.
While it is possible to secure data without the use of technology, the best way to protect data is to secure all sensitive information before sharing. To ensure that data is not lost or has unauthorized access, all physical storage devices and devices must be properly labeled and secured. When it comes time to remove information, ensure that it is completely erased from all devices and backups.