Data security: Secure your most valuable business asset

Isabelle Huitric

June 29, 2023

Robust data security, including best practices, reduces cyberattack risks and protects customers, employees and stakeholders.

The number of known records breached in May 2024 was more than 35 billion.

The huge amount of data including ― mission-critical, confidential, personal, customer, employee, financial, intellectual property, and more ― that transits private and public networks has created a need for data security that spans all businesses and industries.

Bearing this in mind, as well as the state of today’s economy, data security can represent a significant burden for many business leaders, given the magnitude of cyber threat challenges. Some areas they need to consider are:

• Cybersecurity threats: With the increasing volume and complexity of cyberattacks, organisations need to ensure their data is secure and protected against unauthorised access or use

• Remote work: The rise of remote work and the use of personal devices for work-related tasks create additional risks for data security, as employees may use unsecured applications and devices in an extended network perimeter which, with hybrid work practices, goes beyond the walls of the enterprise

• Cloud migration: The increasing adoption of cloud-based services and technologies also creates new challenges for data security, as organisations need to ensure that their data is protected across different platforms and environments, across the networks

• Compliance requirements: Organisations must comply with various data protection regulations, such as the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), and the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)

Data is one of the most valuable assets in an organisation. As such, it’s important for public and private organisations to handle their data responsibly and ethically, respecting customer and employee privacy and ensuring data is kept secure. This means taking into account new government protections and data privacy regulations, as well as the significant fines for non-compliancy.

Companies are looking for solutions and guidance to secure their data and remain compliant while they continue to digitally transform, move critical applications and services to the cloud, refine the digital workplace, and improve their customer and employee experience, all key for business sustainability and growth. While Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA) is leading the charge, prevention of cyberattacks is required across many other complementary domains.

Following are some things you will want to think about to implement secure communications and collaboration solutions and ensure safe interactions wherever your team works.

Data security: A top business priority

A rise in the number of data breaches and cyberattacks means customers and employees need to have their data protected from unauthorised access or use. With government enforcement of rules and regulations, data security is becoming a priority for many private and public organisations of all sizes, because the risk of doing nothing is not worth the cost of doing nothing.

Why you should care

Data breaches and cyberattacks can result in significant financial losses, reputational damage and legal consequences. For example:

• Cyberattacks are becoming more sophisticated and frequent, and businesses are increasingly becoming targets for cybercriminals

• Data breaches can result in the loss of sensitive customer data, intellectual property and other critical business information

• Brand reputation can be eroded and customer trust lost, resulting in a decline in business. Companies seen as not taking data security seriously may find it harder to attract and retain customers, partners and employees.

• Business continuity can be impacted with a disruption in business operations, resulting in lost productivity, downtime and financial losses

• Loyalty and trust is crucial. When customers and employees entrust their personal information to an organisation, they expect their data will be protected from unauthorised access, use or disclosure.

Best practices for best outcomes

Today’s businesses require robust data security measures to mitigate risks and protect their data. That means solutions and best practices that address prevention, protection and reaction. These include:

• Always using secure connections such as virtual private networks (VPNs), to connect to the internet and access corporate data. This will help prevent unauthorised access to data by third-parties.

• Ensuring that all devices used for work are properly secured, with strong passwords or passcodes, and that software and operating systems are kept up to date with the latest security patches

• Using encryption tools to encrypt sensitive data, both when it is stored and when it is transmitted

• Only using approved applications and tools that are provided by the organisation and avoid using personal devices or unauthorised applications for work-related tasks

• Providing employees with training and support to help them work securely from home, including guidance on how to identify and report security incidents

• Establishing clear policies and procedures for handling sensitive data when working from home, including guidelines on data retention, disposal and sharing

Secure from end-to-end

While almost all technology providers emphasise cybersecurity, very few have the understanding and expertise required to implement all the measures needed for end-to-end security. At Alcatel-Lucent Enterprise, we go above and beyond other technology providers to implement all the best practices, including:

• Following the National Institute of Science and Technology (NIST) best practices and recommendations when performing risk assessments on new features and implementing cybersecurity features, such as native encryption, in our solutions

• Applying ISO 27001 standards to all our cloud-based solutions

• Supporting ZTNA, granular network segmentation, and highly specific security policies to reduce the risk of unauthorised activities

• Executing highly specialised, security-specific tests, such as penetration tests, on all our products

• Ensuring our products achieve key industry certifications, such as Hébergeur de Données de Santé (HDS), HIPAA, and the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)

As recognised cybersecurity experts, we contribute to European Union proposals for cybersecurity directives. We also leverage our cybersecurity expertise to help our customers choose and implement the right mix of secure unified communications and collaboration solutions for their needs and train their employees in cybersecurity best practices.

We understand that data security is critical to maintain trust with customers and stakeholders, protect sensitive information, ensure integrity and confidentiality of information and comply with regulatory requirements. Doing nothing or not prioritising data security can lead to financial losses, reputational damage, legal liabilities and other negative consequences. By implementing robust data security measures and regularly reviewing and updating those measures, businesses can minimise the risk of a data breach or cyberattack and protect their customers, employees, and stakeholders. With an appropriate data security strategy, architecture and solutions from a trusted communication solutions provider, businesses can protect their assets, maintain their brand reputation and ensure business continuity.

Visit our website to get more information about ALE security for Cloud, Communications and Networks or contact us today.