As more organizations choose to store their sensitive data in the cloud or across multiple environments, the risk of data breaches and data democratization is increasing. Data democratization refers to providing access to sensitive data to a wide range of individuals within an organization, which can lead to security concerns. Furthermore, when data is stored in multiple environments, it becomes challenging for enterprises to maintain visibility and protect their data effectively. To address these challenges, IBM Security recommends the following steps:

Step 1: Find and understand where your data is stored

Understanding the location of your data is crucial for protecting it. IBM Security offers a platform called Discover and Classify, which uses advanced technologies like artificial intelligence and machine learning to automate the discovery, mapping, and tracking of sensitive data across multiple environments. This platform provides a holistic view of how and where sensitive data is being used, allowing organizations to implement effective security measures.

Step 2: Monitor and protect your data across the enterprise

Once you know where your sensitive data is stored, the next step is to protect it throughout its entire lifecycle. IBM Security Guardium Data Protection enables security teams to safeguard sensitive data through activities such as discovery and classification, data activity monitoring, vulnerability assessments, and advanced threat detection. This comprehensive data protection solution supports heterogeneous environments and ensures the enforcement of security policies in real-time.

Step 3: Gain insights and analyze the usage of your data

Having insights into your data and analyzing its usage is essential for identifying potential risks and threats. IBM Security Guardium Insights is a data security platform designed to improve visibility into user activity and behavioral risk, meet compliance regulations, and protect data more efficiently. This platform uses advanced analytics to uncover areas of risk and potential threats in near-real time, empowering data security teams to take proactive measures.

By following these three steps, organizations can enhance their data security and compliance strategies, reduce the risk of data breaches, and mitigate potential financial and reputational damages.

FAQs

What is data democratization?

Data democratization refers to the practice of providing access to sensitive and valuable data to a wide range of individuals within an organization. While it offers several benefits, such as improved decision-making and collaboration, it also poses security challenges due to the increased risk of human errors and potential data breaches.

Why is it important to understand where data is stored?

Understanding the location of sensitive data is crucial for implementing effective security measures. Without knowing where the data is stored, organizations cannot take appropriate steps to protect it, leading to potential compliance issues, costly fines, and reputational damage.

How can IBM Security solutions help protect data in a hybrid cloud environment?

IBM Security provides solutions like Discover and Classify, Guardium Data Protection, and Guardium Insights to help organizations protect their data in a hybrid cloud environment. These solutions offer capabilities such as data discovery, classification, monitoring, vulnerability assessments, advanced threat detection, and analytics, enabling organizations to implement comprehensive data security and compliance strategies.

What are the benefits of using IBM Security Guardium?

IBM Security Guardium offers numerous benefits, including:

• Centralized management of operations, policies, and auditing
• Seamless scalability to handle large volumes of data
• Real-time enforcement of security policies
• Support for various cloud platforms
• Improved visibility into user activity and potential threats
• Streamlined compliance reporting

How can IBM Security Guardium Insights help organizations?

IBM Security Guardium Insights provides organizations with improved visibility into user activity and behavioral risk, compliance regulation support, efficient data protection, and enhanced IT flexibility. By utilizing advanced analytics, Guardium Insights helps uncover potential risks, threat patterns, and anomalous behavior, empowering organizations to take proactive security measures.