9618 · 6.1
Data Security
Data security is the practice of defending digital information from unauthorised access, use, or corruption. It involves setting up multiple layers of protection to keep data safe and accurate.
Need to know
What you need to know
- **Confidentiality:** Ensuring that data is accessible only to those with authorised access. This is what most people think of as security – preventing data breaches and keeping secrets safe. Encryption is a key tool for confidentiality.
- **Integrity:** Maintaining the accuracy and consistency of data. It ensures that data has not been altered in an unauthorised manner, whether by malicious attack or accidental error. Hashing algorithms are often used to verify data integrity.
- **Availability:** Ensuring that data and resources are available to authorised users when they need them. This principle guards against threats like Denial of Service (DoS) attacks, which aim to make systems unusable.
Explanation
Your Digital Fortress
- Identify Data Assets: First, determine what data is valuable and needs protection, such as personal information or financial records.
- Analyse Threats: Consider potential dangers, from malicious hackers and viruses to accidental deletion by staff.
- Implement Controls: Deploy security measures like firewalls to block unwanted traffic, encryption to scramble data, and access rights to limit who can see what.
- Monitor and Review: Continuously check for security breaches using audit trails and regularly update security policies and software to adapt to new threats.