Why Data Encryption is Important in The Hybrid Workforce
The hybrid workforce has brought cybersecurity risks for many businesses. Employees out of the office are tougher to manage, and many lack the training and awareness to make safe decisions while working.
One of the ways businesses can ensure data is well-handled is data encryption. This article will explain data encryption and a few ways business leaders can implement it as part of their data security plan.
Why is data encryption important?
In a world where thousands of U.S. businesses report being hacked each year, finding ways to secure critical business data has become imperative. Data encryption helps protect confidential data by converting it from plain text into an unreadable format. Decrypting the data requires some form of authentication by the user, making it difficult for hackers to gain access.
Data encryption has also become a regulatory requirement for several types of businesses. For example, retailers must oblige by the Fair Credit Practices Act (FCPA), which protects consumers.
Best ways to encrypt data
Virtual Private Network (VPN)
If your employees regularly transfer data through communication channels, a VPN is one of the easiest ways to encrypt communication and increase security. The VPN will encrypt all data that’s being transferred to and from the network, including messages, files, and browser activity.
VPNs are especially important in the hybrid work environment because they protect against unsecured networks. Remote workers are more likely to work in public, where the network they use for work may be unprotected.
A VPN works by routing the internet traffic from a user through a third-party server hosted by the VPN provider. In the process, it encrypts all data and traffic plus hides the user’s IP address.
Cloud storage
Like any other form of encryption, cloud encryption makes the data undecipherable before it’s stored on the cloud. Any user who wants access must decipher the data with a decryption key.
The cloud has become a go-to option for businesses. That’s because it’s a much cheaper option compared to physical data storage in a hard drive. But security should also be prioritized. The cloud storage provider you choose will play a large part in the overall safety of your business data.
Before using any cloud storage solution, ensure they have strong data encryption capabilities. They should also have a clean record (no previous breach incidents). Paying more for a solution that will provide the best encryption and security features possible is always worth it.
SSL certification for the website
SSL stands for Secure Socket Layer. It’s a security technology that establishes an encrypted connection between your website and its users.
SSL is a must-have for every website from a security standpoint. If your website lacks the certificate, it won’t have the lock symbol in the address bar, which is something many users will notice. The browser may even issue warnings to users before they enter the site, costing you many potential customers.
An SSL certificate is especially important if you do any transactions or collect sensitive customer data, such as credit card information, social security numbers, login credentials, etc.
Final thoughts
Data encryption is a critical security measure for any modern business. Nearly all businesses store some, if not all, of their data digitally. Establishing a secure way to transfer, store, and access data is vital for the overall security posture of your business. Not to mention the heavy regulations in place for handling customer data.
There are several ways to encrypt data. Depending on your needs and preferences, you can use one or all encryption methods mentioned in this article.
