Security software for data protects digital information from unauthorized access, manipulation or theft. It encompasses multiple tools and technologies, such as encryption monitoring, logging, and data loss prevention. It also includes policies and procedures as well as tools to deal with data breaches.
Cybercriminals are a single risk factor that can affect data security, but human error is the most frequent cause of security breaches. Data security tools include features that detect errors such as placing sensitive files on shared drives or opening attachments to emails that are not correct.
Another important aspect of data security is the restriction of physical access to servers, storage devices, and other equipment. Physical security measures could be as simple as requiring employees to sign into a company building however, they should also include labeling and locking hardware so that only authorized employees can access it. This is particularly important for cloud-based data centers, where you might not be able to control the physical space.
Data security solutions are able to protect data at rest and during transit by encrypting it so that only users with the right keys can access it. This is typically used in conjunction with firewalls, intrusion prevention systems or detection systems (IDS/IPS) and network-based identification systems.
One security measure that is often neglected is user behavior analytics. This sets baselines for normal activity and can detect anomalies that could indicate unauthorised access. This feature is usually included in software for monitoring data warehouses, relational databases and big data.