By David Dlug

One of the most pressing issues in cybersecurity is ensuring sensitive data is properly discovered, classified, and protected across various platforms. As compliance regulations grow stricter and the threat landscape becomes more sophisticated, businesses need to take a proactive approach to data discovery and security. 

The Growing Complexity of Compliance Regulations 

The world of compliance has become more complex than ever, with regulations like the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), and the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) imposing stricter data protection standards. These regulations require organizations to have clear visibility into where sensitive data resides, who has access to it, and how it is being used. Non-compliance can result in hefty fines and significant reputational damage. Simultaneously, the proliferation of sensitive data across cloud platforms, on-premises systems, and remote devices has introduced new challenges. Ensuring data security across such diverse environments is no longer optional. Adding to the urgency, cyber threats continue to escalate, as cybercriminals increasingly target sensitive information for both financial and strategic gain. A single breach can bring devastating consequences, making compliance and proactive measures critical. 

The Role of Discovery in Securing Sensitive Information 

Data discovery is the process of identifying, classifying, and managing sensitive data within your organization’s network, both on-premises and in the cloud. The goal is to gain a clear understanding of where your sensitive data is stored, how it flows through your network, and who can access it. 

Data discovery tools can automatically scan and categorize data across various environments, including file servers, databases, cloud storage, and even endpoint devices. By automating this process, organizations can quickly identify potential vulnerabilities and ensure that sensitive information is handled in compliance with relevant regulations. 

The Challenge of Securing Sensitive Data Across Multiple Platforms 

As businesses increasingly move to the cloud, store data in hybrid environments, and utilize third-party applications, securing sensitive information becomes more complicated. Multiple platforms create additional complexity in terms of visibility, data access controls, and compliance monitoring. 

Here are some of the key challenges organizations face when securing sensitive data: 

• Data Silos: Sensitive data may be scattered across different departments, applications, and devices, making it difficult to get a comprehensive view of where data is stored and how it’s protected. 

• Lack of Unified Visibility: Different systems often have different security measures, making it harder to monitor and control access across all platforms. This fragmented approach to data security increases the risk of breaches. 

• Shadow IT: Employees may use unsanctioned tools or cloud services, unknowingly exposing sensitive data outside of the organization’s official security infrastructure. 

• Data Overload: With the vast amounts of data being generated today, it becomes increasingly difficult for security teams to manually track and assess all of it for sensitive information. 

How to Secure Sensitive Data Across Multiple Platforms 

To address these challenges and achieve comprehensive data protection, organizations need a robust data discovery strategy that spans across all their platforms, both on-premises and in the cloud. Here are some essential steps to ensure sensitive information is secure: 

1. Implement Data Classification and Labeling

The first step to securing sensitive data is to classify and label it based on its level of sensitivity. By understanding what constitutes “sensitive” information (such as personally identifiable information, financial records, or intellectual property), you can apply appropriate security controls to protect it. Classification can be done manually or automatically using data discovery tools, which categorize and label data based on predefined criteria. 

2. Leverage Data Discovery Tools

Using automated data discovery tools is a key strategy for securing sensitive data. These tools scan your entire network and cloud infrastructure, identifying and cataloging sensitive information. They can also detect data movement and access patterns, enabling you to monitor and control how sensitive data is used. By mapping your data across all platforms, you gain full visibility into where your sensitive information resides and who has access to it. 

3. Establish Access Control Policies

Once you have identified and classified your sensitive data, it’s essential to implement access control policies. These policies should ensure that only authorized users can access sensitive data and that they can only access it based on their specific role within the organization. Role-based access control (RBAC) is a common method used to limit data access based on user roles, minimizing the risk of unauthorized access. 

4. Encrypt Data at Rest and in Transit

Data encryption is a critical component of any data security strategy. By encrypting sensitive data both at rest (when stored) and in transit (when being transmitted across networks), you can reduce the risk of exposure in the event of a breach. Strong encryption algorithms should be used to ensure data remains secure across multiple platforms. 

5. Monitor and Audit Data Access

Continuous monitoring and auditing are vital to ensuring that sensitive data remains secure. Regularly review access logs, conduct vulnerability assessments, and track any unauthorized access attempts to ensure compliance with your security policies. Many data discovery tools come with built-in monitoring capabilities, making it easier to detect any anomalies that might indicate a potential breach. 

6. Ensure Compliance with Relevant Regulations

In addition to securing sensitive data, businesses must ensure they are compliant with industry-specific regulations and standards. Data discovery tools can help you automatically check compliance by flagging any non-compliant data handling practices. You can also leverage audit reports to demonstrate compliance during inspections or audits. 

7. Implement Secure Data Sharing and Collaboration Practices

In today’s remote-first world, employees often share and collaborate on sensitive data through cloud applications, email, and other platforms. It’s crucial to ensure that secure data sharing practices are in place, including secure file-sharing platforms, multi-factor authentication, and access controls. These practices will minimize the risk of accidental or intentional data leaks. 

8. Educate and Train Employees

Human error remains one of the leading causes of data breaches. By providing regular training on data security best practices, employees can become your first line of defense against potential threats. They should be educated on how to handle sensitive data, recognize phishing attempts, and report any suspicious activity. 

CIRRUS Vulnerability Management & Data Discovery

CIRRUS provides advanced tools that automate data discovery across multiple platforms, ensuring no sensitive information is overlooked. With actionable insights and comprehensive compliance reporting, businesses can confidently stay ahead of regulatory requirements. CIRRUS not only identifies vulnerabilities but also equips organizations with the tools to protect sensitive information effectively. By consolidating discovery, protection, and compliance into a single solution, CIRRUS simplifies the complexities of managing multi-platform security. 

Ready to secure your sensitive information across multiple platforms? Contact us today to learn how our advanced data discovery solutions can help you maintain compliance and protect your data.