In today’s digital age, organizations are generating and storing vast amounts of data, and this data is often their most valuable asset. As a result, organizations must take steps to ensure that their data is protected from unauthorized access, use, and disclosure. One approach to achieving this is by using data centric security. For companies operating in today’s global and competitive environment, sharing valuable information is an absolute necessity. However, there is a direct correlation between sharing and risk – the more sharing you do, the more risks you take on. Mitigating these risks requires rethinking how you control and secure your data as it moves outside the corporate network, is shared with external partners and collaborators, or is downloaded to unmanaged or mobile devices.
Data centric security is a method of securing data by focusing on the data itself, rather than on the devices or network that the data is stored on or transmitted through. This approach involves classifying data according to its level of sensitivity, and then applying the appropriate level of security controls to protect that data. This can include encryption, access controls, and monitoring.
One key aspect of data centric security is the use of data loss prevention (DLP) technologies. DLP tools are designed to detect and prevent the unauthorized transmission of sensitive information, such as credit card numbers or personal identification numbers (PINs). These tools can be configured to scan for specific types of sensitive data, and then take action to block or alert on the transmission of that data.
Another important aspect of data centric security is the use of data encryption. Encryption is the process of converting plaintext data into a coded format that is unreadable to anyone without the encryption key. Encryption is particularly important for data that is stored on devices that are lost or stolen, such as laptops or mobile phones.
DRM is another important aspect that organizations can incorporate into data centric security. DRM is a set of technologies that are used to control access to and use of digital content, such as music, videos, e-books, and software. The goal of DRM is to prevent unauthorized distribution and use of digital content, and to ensure that the content is only used in ways that are authorized by the content owner.
DRM technologies can be implemented in a variety of ways, including through the use of encryption, digital keys, and watermarking. DRM systems typically involve the use of a digital key that is used to decrypt the content, and which is only provided to authorized users. Additionally, DRM systems can also include features such as time-limiting access to content, and the ability to remotely revoke access to content.
When it comes to incorporating DRM into data centric security, the key is to ensure that it is integrated into the overall security strategy. This means that the DRM solution should be designed to work with the organization’s existing security controls, such as DLP and encryption, and should also be compatible with the organization’s overall data management and governance policies.
In conclusion, data centric security is an effective approach to protecting an organization’s most valuable asset: its data. And by incorporating DRM into their data centric security strategy, organizations can ensure that they are able to control and protect the use of their digital content, while also being able to meet the demands of their business and regulatory requirements. To learn more about NextLabs data centric solutions to protecting data in motion, see our SkyDRM product page for more details.