As data breaches become more frequent and damaging, many organizations are rushing to implement basic encryption measures in a bid to obtain compliance ticks in the box. While this approach might satisfy auditors and regulators, it is not enough to protect the organization from the sophisticated threats that exist in today’s digital landscape.
The truth is, cybercriminals are getting smarter, and they are constantly looking for new and innovative ways to breach an organization’s defenses. A simple firewall or antivirus software or basic encryption is no longer enough to stop them. These tools can be quickly bypassed by advanced malware, phishing attacks, and other cyber threats.
To truly protect against these types of attacks, organizations must adopt a more comprehensive approach to security. This means going beyond the minimum tick in the box requirements and implementing best practice guidelines for protecting data.
Best practice guidelines include measures such as user awareness training, multi-factor authentication, intrusion detection, advanced encryption, access control and continuous monitoring of systems and networks. Advance encryption is like the “airbag” in a car for protecting data. A company that implements proper encryption enterprise wide is able to render data unreadable when other cyber security measures fail.
Unfortunately, many organizations are using disk and volume encryption or no encryption and reluctant to invest in advanced encryption because they see it as a cost rather than an investment. They may believe that compliance ticks in the box are enough to satisfy regulators, and that they don’t need to do more. However, this is a dangerous mindset that can lead to catastrophic consequences.
The reality is that breaches are costly, both financially and in terms of damage to the organization’s reputation. A breach can result in the loss of sensitive data, regulatory fines, legal costs, and loss of customer trust. Once the damage is done, it can take years to recover, if at all.
In conclusion, if your organization is just doing enough to get compliance ticks in the box, you are heading towards being famous for the wrong reasons. Cybercriminals are becoming increasingly sophisticated, and basic security measures are no longer enough to protect against them. To truly protect your organization, you must adopt best practice guidelines which includes advanced encryption and commit to ongoing investment in security resources. Good encryption has proven to reduce the attack surface and prevent data breaches. Don’t wait for a breach to happen before taking action – invest in security now and avoid becoming the next headline.
