Securing workplace data is a top priority for company’s security. This multi-fold discipline encompasses several key areas, including data’s physical and online security. Cybersecurity threats remain the most critical component of the system, and effective management of data access, security, and systems is paramount. Protecting sensitive data is at the core of a highly effective cyber security system.
No company can afford to ignore the perils of unprotected data. The costs can be dramatic, including financial losses, customer losses, and loss of credibility.
Companies face steep fines, class-action lawsuits with substantial settlements, and huge amounts of lost sales.
Additionally, compliance with mandatory regulations such as PCI DSS, HIPAA, and GDPR are standard across many industries worldwide.
Of course, a company’s security blanket covers many connected and related components, notably software code, medical records, personal information, payment data, biographic information, internal records, vendors, suppliers, stakeholders, etcetera.
The importance of safety and security behooves companies to work within an established budget. Costs can quickly spiral out of control, so keeping a tight lid on proceedings is essential.
Our digital landscape requires us to prioritize application security—otherwise known as AppSec—within the software development lifecycle (SDLC). One key to unlocking the advantages of this move is a shift-left approach.
This identifies vulnerabilities and loopholes and addresses them early on in the development process. It is a highly effective method for enhancing overall data security. Plus, it’s incredibly cost-effective, eliminating the need for extensive revisions after development.
The bedrock of effective AppSec is an overarching API discovery. It’s important to be able to scan source code and document API inventories, including overlooked sectors such as zombie and shadow APIs. When done correctly, this proactive approach prioritizes remediation.
This allows businesses to easily align their security needs with risk management strategies as efficiently and effectively as possible. By integrating static application security testing (SAST) alongside dynamic application security testing (DAST), a robust mechanism for identifying vulnerabilities as possible.
Discovery Solutions for Your Company’s Security
Companies and their security departments must focus attention on these types of capabilities. It helps to maintain clarity across the API landscape vis-a-vis security protocols.
Granted, there are many viable solutions to security issues, but only a handful are effective at cost-effectively mitigating risks. Companies considering the next step in securing digital assets will be well served by exploring comprehensive API discovery solutions offering a valuable perspective.
Common sense practices are equally important when protecting data against hackers. One of the simplest solutions is regularly updating computers, including all IT devices, especially those connected to the corporate network. Updates ensure that security loopholes are mended and that the latest operating system versions are implemented.
Web browsers, security programs, OS, and applications should always be up-to-date. This cost-effective approach can save a company from ruination. Typically, cloud-based providers update in real time, but clients are responsible for device-based software updates. Much the same is true with company smartphones – protection is paramount.
All files should be carefully disposed of; sensitive information requires special care. Whenever confidential/protected data is disposed of, it should be physically shredded (for paper files) so that it cannot be intercepted in any way by bad actors.
The same is true for letters, quotes, invoices, memorandums, minutes of meetings, and so forth. Yet another cost-effective solution to managing sensitive data is controlling who has access to that data.
Implement Rigid Security Controls
Selective Wi-Fi privileges are important. Networks must be protected through restrictive measures. This can reduce admittance to key areas of the Company’s Security infrastructure, through permission authorizations.
Segregated authorization is a quick fix in this regard, allowing for specific levels of security access, (or lack thereof), for family, then those, clients, and third party affiliate.
As a rule, this type of solution is cost-effective and easily implementable. With regard to 3rd parties, it is important that only security-conscious contractors are approved to work with your company. Validation of organizations is sacrosanct. Proper checking can be conducted through audits, such as SSAE 18, to ensure that company’s security responsibilities are in place several times.
Other important cost-effective solutions include control access in respect of username/password logins, use of company hardware, password policy stipulations, and effective training of all personnel within the organization to maintain a security vigilance.
When viewed in perspective, each and every one of these workplace security protocols can work synergistically to develop a watertight system where individual components provide overarching protection to other systems in an overlapping, all-encompassing fashion.
