Recent data breaches that are splashed across the news have made the point crystal clear that data protection can no longer be an add-on that businesses source out externally to complete. It’s become a critical issue that companies are now learning how to deal with internally, and there are three key trends that are shaping the area of data protection, having a huge influence on how these protections are achieved more successfully.
As businesses changed to adapt to a more mobile, cloud-based operation, many felt that the security controls that they had in place were sufficient. However, they soon discovered that the systems that were in place struggled to keep data protected in this ever-evolving system based in the cloud.
With data being stored much differently, it’s essential for developers to create new methods for protecting this data. And, much of this new development is being shaped by these three key trends.
‘API’ has become a household word
Privacy problems at Facebook brought to light the power of APIs and helped educate the public on the ease with which they are created and used, but the difficulty in monitoring and enforcing them.
While many focused on securing data from criminals stealing it, what they never considered was if a company allowed the data to be obtained by another company. If this exchange takes place, how can the offering company ensure that the receiving company is not also taking data outside of what was agreed. And there are, in fact, a larger number of these APIs than there are criminals in corporate networks. While most pose no threat, developers are recognizing the necessity of having this risk secured.
The cost of breaches affects budgets all around
There’s an inherent cost with every breach and non-compliance that happens in business. But with some, it’s easier to identify and put a number to the cost of this event. For instance, if a factory catches fire, there’s tangible costs that can be accounted for in order to determine the overall cost of the event. But, with a cyber breach, the cost is much more difficult to nail down. When data is breached, there is a cost involved, whether it’s an immediate financial loss or a loss of future sales triggered by the breach. “Companies need to navigate around these costs, taking into account the risk and potential cost of that risk, versus the costs of investing in security development. Sure, security is going to cost you, but what are the costs of skimping out on it?” asks Elizabeth Valdez, security analyst at Australia2Write.com and NextCourseWork.com.
Customers are becoming more involved in their privacy
When developers are building and updating their security systems, they first need to know what mission they are trying to solve. Customers’ privacy preferences should be easily logged and managed through these systems. Gathering and using less customer data is almost always better for the company than the potential alternative of gathering and selling or gathering and having a breach of customer data. “Customers are speaking out and expressing their anger at companies trying to profit from their data. Selling their personal information is not tolerated by most customers of any business, who want to have a high level of trust and confidence in the companies they use,” explains tech writer Stephan Wagner of BritStudent.com and WriteMyX.com
Security can be sustained, not broken, with Cloud-first
These trends should not be looked at as a list of demands, meant to constrain their progress. On the contrary, these trends should be outlined by developers in their discussions with security teams and others, so that everyone is on the same page with the route security is taking.
Developers need to be empowered to take a look at how their systems interact with apps and the cloud and develop security that provides great control and visibility over the protection of users and their data. The more awareness that’s brought to light and the more the public is being educated about the risks their data security faces, the more focus will be put on the issue and the better developments in security systems can happen.
About The Author :
As a web developer at PhD Kingdom and Academic Brits, Michael Dehoyos assists companies in developing their marketing strategy concepts, while also contributing to a number of sites and publications, including the academic service Origin Writings.