Businesses have become reliant on data; however, as the volume of data grows, so does the risk of shadow data. Shadow data exists outside of an organization’s primary data stores. It can include data backups, data archives, and data from employees’ devices. While shadow data can be helpful, it can pose a severe security risk. In this blog post, we’ll explore the dangers of shadow data and how businesses can protect themselves.
What is shadow data, and how is it created?
Shadow data is information created from an organization’s normal business activities. It includes email messages, social media posts, financial records, and customer data. While some shadow data is essential for businesses to function, other types of shadow data can pose a security risk.
For example, if an employee sends an email to a client that contains sensitive information, that email becomes part of the organization’s shadow data. If the email is not secured correctly, it could be accessed by unauthorized individuals. As a result, businesses need to have policies and procedures in place to manage their shadow data. Failure to do so can put an organization at risk of data breaches and other security threats.
How can shadow data pose a security risk?
Shadow data is a company’s information but does not know it has. It can include everything from old employee records to unstructured data like social media posts and emails. While this data can be valuable for business intelligence, it can pose a severe security risk. Shadow data is often unsecured and poorly protected, making it an easy target for hackers.
In addition, shadow data may contain sensitive information that could compromise employees or customers. As a result, companies must be aware of the potential risks posed by shadow data and take steps to protect this information.
How can businesses protect themselves from shadow data?
Any business that relies on customer data to drive decision-making needs to be aware of the risks posed by shadow data. Shadow data is the hidden, unstructured data outside an organization’s primary data stores. It can include customer comments on social media, chat logs, and email records. While this data can be precious, it can also be tough to protect.
One way to reduce the risk posed by shadow data is to ensure that all employees know the importance of data security. Data should be shared needlessly, and all sensitive information should be encrypted. In addition, businesses should consider investing in a cloud-based security solution that can help to protect shadow data from unauthorized access. By taking these steps, businesses can help to ensure that their shadow data is not used against them.
Why you should encrypt your shadow data
As more and more businesses move their operations online, the importance of data security has become increasingly apparent. One of the most vulnerable aspects of any online business is shadow data. Shadow data is any information that is not explicitly protected but could be accessed or used without authorization. It includes employee login credentials, customer contact information, and financial records.
While many businesses take steps to protect their primary data, shadow data often goes unencrypted, making it a prime target for hackers. The good news is that encrypting shadow data is relatively simple and can go a long way toward protecting your business. Here are a few reasons why you should encrypt your shadow data:
1. To prevent unauthorized access: Shadow data is often stored in unprotected areas, making it easy for unauthorized individuals to gain access. Encrypting shadow data makes it much more difficult for someone to access sensitive information without permission.
2. To prevent data breaches: Unencrypted shadow data is a prime target for hackers looking to exploit vulnerabilities in your system. By encrypting shadow data, you can help to prevent costly data breaches.
3. To comply with regulations: In many industries, regulations require businesses to encrypt certain types of sensitive information. Encrypting shadow data can help you to ensure compliance with these regulations.
4. To protect your reputation: In today’s digital age, reputation is everything. A single data breach can ruin the reputation of even the most well-established business. By encrypting shadow data, you can help protect your business’s reputation in case of a breach.
5. To improve security overall: Encrypting shadow data is just one part of a comprehensive security strategy. However, it is an important part nonetheless. By taking this extra step to secure your data, you can help to create a more robust overall defense against cyberattacks.
Conclusion
Shadow data is a natural and present danger to businesses and individuals. Education and awareness are the best ways to protect yourself from these threats. Make sure you understand what shadow data is, how it affects your business, and take steps to mitigate any risks.
