The business world has changed drastically in the last 20 years. Almost all of the important data is now online. This can be pretty useful, but it can also be dangerous. Why? Well, as the business landscape changed, so did the business espionage. Malicious people online are trying their very best to steal sensitive and confidential data and sell it on the market.

If you own a startup or a big company, you definitely do not want this to happen to you. This is why you need to establish the defense systems that will protect your precious data.

Here are the best things you can do.

InfoSec Penetration Testing

Ethical hacking, also referred to as InfoSec Penetration Testing, is a proactive approach aimed at uncovering vulnerabilities in a company's systems and networks. It involves simulating real-world cyber attacks to reveal potential weaknesses that could be exploited by malicious actors. This form of testing proves beneficial in safeguarding sensitive data.

Through the detection of vulnerabilities and system weaknesses, proactive measures can be taken to bolster security controls and thwart unauthorized access to critical information. This approach helps bring to light system vulnerabilities like misconfigurations, feeble passwords, or outdated software. Addressing these weak points diminishes the risk of data breaches and unauthorized entry.

Penetration testing offers the opportunity to assess the efficacy of existing security controls like firewalls, intrusion detection systems, and access controls. Evaluating these measures ensures their proper configuration and intended functionality.

This testing method replicates real-world attack scenarios, enabling a grasp of the potential consequences of a successful breach. Such insights aid in prioritizing security measures and optimizing resource allocation. Numerous industries mandate compliance with specific data protection regulations. Penetration testing assists in demonstrating adherence to regulatory frameworks such as the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) or the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS).

Conducting penetration testing also uncovers shortcomings in incident response procedures, facilitating the refinement of response plans for a prompt and efficient reaction in the event of a security breach.

Encrypt The Data

Choose encryption algorithms that are widely recognized and considered secure, such as AES (Advanced Encryption Standard) or RSA (Rivest-Shamir-Adleman). These algorithms provide robust encryption and are commonly used in various applications. Also, end-to-end encryption ensures that data is encrypted from the moment it is created until it reaches its intended recipient. This prevents any intermediaries, including service providers or hackers, from accessing the data in its unencrypted form.

Encrypt data during transmission by using secure communication protocols such as SSL/TLS (Secure Sockets Layer/Transport Layer Security). This ensures that data sent over networks, such as the internet, is protected from interception and tampering.

It is safe to say that the SSL encryption certificate is one of your top priorities.

Encrypt data at rest, meaning when it is stored on devices or servers. Use strong encryption methods to protect sensitive files, databases, or backups. This can be achieved through disk encryption or file-level encryption. But, you need to know that encryption alone is not enough; you should also control access to encrypted data. Use strong authentication mechanisms, such as multi-factor authentication, to ensure that only authorized individuals can decrypt and access sensitive information.

Keep your encryption software up to date with the latest security patches and updates. This helps protect against newly discovered vulnerabilities and ensures that your encryption remains strong and effective. Educate your employees about the importance of encryption and provide training on how to properly handle and encrypt sensitive data. 

This includes using strong passwords, avoiding sharing encryption keys, and securely storing encryption-related information.

Regular Backup

This splendid practice helps protect your business from data loss. Accidental deletion, hardware failure, natural disasters, or cyberattacks can all lead to the loss of important data. By regularly backing up your sensitive data, you ensure that even if something happens to the original files, you have a copy that can be easily restored.

Other than this, backing up sensitive data enhances data security. Cyber threats are becoming increasingly sophisticated, and hackers are constantly looking for ways to gain unauthorized access to valuable information. By having backups, you can mitigate the risk of data breaches and ransomware attacks. In the event of a security breach, you can restore your data from a clean backup source, minimizing the impact on your business operations.

Moreover, backing up sensitive data is essential for regulatory compliance. Many industries have specific data protection regulations that require businesses to have backup and recovery plans in place. Failing to comply with these regulations can result in severe penalties and damage to your company's reputation.

Also, having splendid backups of sensitive data enables business continuity. If your primary data is compromised or inaccessible, having backups allows you to quickly recover and resume normal operations. This minimizes downtime and ensures that your business can continue functioning without significant disruptions.