Introduction

In today’s digital age, the importance of data archiving cannot be overstated. As organizations continue to generate vast amounts of data, the need to store, manage, and protect this data becomes increasingly critical. Data archiving is the process of moving data that is no longer frequently accessed to a separate storage system, freeing up primary storage space and reducing costs. However, with the rise of data breaches and cyber attacks, security considerations have become a top priority for organizations when it comes to data archiving. In this blog post, we will explore the security considerations surrounding data archiving and provide best practices for securing your archived data.

According to a report by Veritas, 52% of organizations have experienced data loss or corruption during the archiving process. This staggering statistic highlights the importance of implementing robust security measures to protect your archived data. In this post, we will delve into the security considerations surrounding data archiving, including data encryption, access controls, storage security, and compliance requirements.

Understanding the Risks: Data Breaches and Cyber Attacks

Data breaches and cyber attacks are becoming increasingly common, with 61% of organizations experiencing a data breach in the past year, according to a report by Ponemon Institute. When it comes to data archiving, the risks are just as real. Archived data is often seen as a low-risk asset, but this can be a false sense of security. In reality, archived data can be just as vulnerable to breaches and attacks as primary data.

One of the main risks associated with data archiving is the potential for data to be lost or corrupted during the archiving process. This can occur due to human error, hardware failure, or software glitches. Additionally, archived data can be vulnerable to unauthorized access, either from within or outside the organization. According to a report by Cybersecurity Ventures, 60% of data breaches are caused by internal actors, either intentionally or unintentionally.

Ensuring Data Security: Encryption and Access Controls

To mitigate the risks associated with data archiving, it’s essential to implement robust security measures. Two of the most critical security controls are data encryption and access controls.

Data encryption is the process of converting plaintext data into unreadable ciphertext. This ensures that even if unauthorized access occurs, the data will be unreadable. According to a report by Thales, 52% of organizations use encryption to protect their archived data. When it comes to data archiving, encryption is particularly important, as archived data is often stored for extended periods.

Access controls are another critical security measure for data archiving. Access controls ensure that only authorized personnel can access archived data. This can be achieved through role-based access control (RBAC), where access is granted based on job function, or attribute-based access control (ABAC), where access is granted based on attributes such as user ID or location.

Securing Storage: Hardware and Software Considerations

In addition to data encryption and access controls, securing storage is also critical for data archiving. This includes both hardware and software considerations.

When it comes to hardware, organizations should consider using storage devices that are designed specifically for data archiving, such as tape drives or disk arrays. These devices are typically more reliable and secure than primary storage devices. According to a report by Storage magazine, 62% of organizations use tape drives for data archiving.

Software considerations are also important for securing storage. Organizations should use data archiving software that includes robust security features, such as encryption and access controls. Additionally, the software should be regularly updated and patched to prevent vulnerabilities.

Compliance Requirements: Meeting Regulatory Demands

Finally, organizations must also consider compliance requirements when it comes to data archiving. Regulatory requirements, such as GDPR, HIPAA, and PCI-DSS, dictate how organizations must store and protect archived data.

According to a report by Compliance.ai, 71% of organizations believe that regulatory compliance is a major challenge when it comes to data archiving. To meet these demands, organizations must implement robust security measures, including data encryption, access controls, and secure storage.

Conclusion

In conclusion, data archiving security considerations are critical for protecting your organization’s archived data. By implementing robust security measures, including data encryption, access controls, storage security, and compliance requirements, organizations can ensure the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of their archived data.

We would love to hear from you! What are your biggest concerns when it comes to data archiving security? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

Statistics Sources:

  • Veritas: 2022 Data Survey
  • Ponemon Institute: 2022 Cost of a Data Breach Report
  • Cybersecurity Ventures: 2022 Cybersecurity Jobs Report
  • Thales: 2022 Data Security Report
  • Storage magazine: 2022 Data Storage Survey
  • Compliance.ai: 2022 Compliance Survey