Data security - a key concern for regulatory bodies

The security of personal information in regulatory bodies is a serious issue to consider. We also discuss artificial intelligence in the service of regulatory bodies in another article. After all of the high-profile computer security incidents this year, it's natural to be concerned about data security within regulatory bodies.

Data theft can result in the destruction, alteration, or illegal exposure of sensitive information, as well as identity theft, fraud, and other issues.

Continue reading to discover more about data security.

What is cybersecurity and data protection?

The International Telecommunications Union defined cybersecurity as "a collection of tools, policies, security concepts, security safeguards, guidelines, risk management approaches, actions, training, best practices, assurance and technologies that can be used to protect the cyber environment and organization and user's assets" when the term first appeared in the late 2000s. Because all information about personal data, infrastructures, applications, and any other information of a corporation or organization is kept in the cyber environment, data protection is an integral element of cybersecurity.

In layman's terms, cybersecurity refers to a set of measures put in place to safeguard digital data against hacking, theft, and data leaking.

What causes data theft?

As seen by the data leak at Revenue Quebec in 2019 and the theft at Desjardins, a data leak or data theft can occur as easy as sending a simple email. These are internal leaks. However, there is also the possibility of external data theft.

When it comes to data theft from external sources, they are security breaches done by hackers from outside the business. In order to discover the weak areas in the targeted organization's computer system, the latter will gather as much information as possible. The hacker will build harmful programs that will allow them to exploit the flaws after they have been found. They will then decide on the best way to infiltrate: through the mail, emails, websites, or even a USB key.

Internet and intranet sites, social media, smart devices on your network, apps, and e-commerce platforms can all be sources of vulnerabilities. As you can see, data theft techniques can be as simple as they can be sophisticated. The mechanisms in place to secure data, like the methods employed, are continually developing, and solutions ought to be put in place to protect against cybercrime.

The most common cyber attacks

Virus: a computer program or code that is typically transmitted by email or instant messaging. The malware spreads due to unsuspecting people clicking on the link.

Adware: software that displays adverts from unreliable sources.

Password cracking: unauthorized access to a user's account.

Spyware: monitors all of your online activity, as the term implies.

Exploit: when a malicious application takes advantage of out-of-date software.

Ransomware: the same concept as a hostage scenario - it prevents people from accessing machines that have been locked from the outside. In exchange for unrestricted access, hackers want a ransom.

Trojan horse: a malware (malicious software) that allows a cyber hacker to gain control of a computer and is frequently loaded by the user by mistake.

Interceptor attack: a cyber assault carried out by a person who has intercepted your conversations with another person and then claimed to be that person. This is a regular occurrence in chat rooms and other forms of virtual communication.

Browser hijacking software: a malicious application that manages to redirect you to sites you didn't want by altering your browser settings.

How can data security be improved?

Even though the picture may seem alarming, there are a number of steps you can take to strengthen your data security. We must understand that data protection begins with both the users and the management. We must also recognize that the majority of cybercrime events affecting many well-known organizations were enabled by bad management practices or a lack of understanding of basic security measures. Users' inclination to click on every link they are provided, as well as their carelessness in choosing and using passwords, all contribute to weaker data protection.

With our everyday activities, professional and personal alike, becoming more reliant on the Internet, we must develop good cyber habits to protect our personal information.

- Do not use the same password for all of your accounts;

- Never "lend" your password to a coworker;

- Make sure your passwords are difficult to guess;

- Organize and manage everyone's identities and permissions;

- Make sure you have a data security policy in place ahead of time;

- Data should be updated and backed up on a regular basis;

- When prompted, update security software;

- Provide cybersecurity training to users to educate them;

- Ascertain that all financial transactions are conducted on a secure website;

- Secure your cloud.

Data protection has become increasingly difficult due to the democratization of cellular and computer devices, as well as simple network access. Employees and members now have access to a plethora of corporate information even while they are not at work. If an effective access management system is not in place, a company can quickly lose control of its data.

Adopting a platform that is just for regulatory bodies improves security. The security of your data is thus increased by shifting it to the cloud, and it's actually wrong to believe that a physical location for data custody is more secure than the Cloud.

A solution for regulatory bodies' data security

Legio 365 is a Microsoft business platform-based application, ideal for managing members of a regulatory body. One of its most significant benefits is the ability to make use of all of the platform's features and technical advancements, as well as enhanced data security.

Gestisoft and its team of Microsoft business solution specialists can advise you on all the data security best practices.

Contact us if you would like to learn more about the options we provide to assist you in your digital transformation!