endpoint data protection

Lost Social Security Numbers a Harsh Reminder of the Importance of Endpoint Data Protection

Names and Social Security numbers of 1,200 individuals seeking Job and Family Sevice assistance lost 

The recent loss of a USB thumb drive which resulted in the 1,200 social security numbers of people seeking assistance from the Montgomery County Department of Job and Family Services going missing has once again brought to light the importance of effective business endpoint data protection.

The drive contained the names and social security numbers of people who were serviced at the Transition Center between 2005 and 2010.The incident prompted an internal review of the way the department handles and stores sensitive information, including additional training for employees.

The question remains- why are companies slow on ensuring that their business data is effectively protected? Especially individual’s data that requires protection under Corporate Governance compliance regulations?

The business challenge of protecting user data

Users are expected to protect  data by copying it to a file server or to an external device, such as a hard drive, as per the company data backup policy.

Apart from the massive obvious flaw of entrusting users with the security of company data, IT (internal and Managed Services) faces an uphill battle in all aspects of user data management, such as:

  • IT resource required to try and find data if lost
  • The impossibility of recovering certain lost data (like the case above)
  • The security of that data
  • Reputational damage done due to data loss

Internal and external risks to business critical data are plentiful and growing by the day. Without the lifeblood that is its data a company cannot function efficiently – often not at all.

The Effects of Data Loss

  • High cost involved with finding or reproducing lost data
  • Loss of critical data could lead to loss of business and opportunities
  • Productivity is negatively affected by prolonged or unnecessary PC downtime and user interruption
  • Reputational risk of losing critical data.
  • Data archival regulations are not adhered to
  • Significant time and IT resource required to assist the user to recover lost data from whatever source is available.

All this translates to a real business cost, affecting a company’s bottom line and leaving the company exposed to unnecessary risk.

The effect of data loss on a business is only one aspect of the consequence of poor user data management.

Other effects include negative impact on IT infrastructure and bandwidth and storage impact.

So how do companies ensure that their data is protected and recoverable if lost? Our free White Paper,  8 winning strategies to endpoint data continuity outlines how enterprises can effectively protect their user data and prevent the loss of critical documents and records.

You can also download a 30 Day Free Trial of Cibecs Endpoint Data Protection here and experience the benefits of Cibecs endpoint data protection in your organization.

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