The Importance of Data Encryption

As a crucial element of your cybersecurity strategy Data encryption protects the sensitive data that is stored in your firm’s computer systems or transmitted across public networks. Data encryption methods will need to adapt as cyber https://dataroomblog.net/virtual-data-rooms-fortifying-data-security-for-your-business/ attacks become more sophisticated and computing systems improve. Knowing when and how to use this security method is crucial to ensure that your data is secure.

Encryption is the act of making data encoded in a way that it is cryptically encoded or inaccessible to anyone else without the encryption key. This encrypted data is then transmitted or stored in order to prevent unauthorized access to the original information.

When properly implemented, data encryption makes it impossible for hackers to gain access to information even if they physically or digitally steal it. It’s often the basis of a strong cybersecurity framework and is typically required by compliance standards to safeguard certain kinds of information, like healthcare information that meets HIPAA regulations and payment card data that is subject to PCI DSS regulations and personal information for GDPR compliance.

With remote work and mobile devices becoming more common and widespread, it is essential for businesses to implement robust security strategies for data encryption to ensure their sensitive data remains secure. This includes encryption at rest, which shields files stored on hard drives cloud storage, USB devices and smartphones from physical and malicious attacks that may occur when a device is connected into a network that is accessible to the public. Furthermore, encryption of data in transit protects information that is currently moving between systems, such as instant messages, email and web browser traffic. This helps to safeguard against malicious activities like man-in the-middle attacks.