Data Safety – How To Securely Store Sensitive Information

As the amount of data we create and the store continues to grow, so does the need to keep that data safe. Whether it’s personal information, financial records, or company secrets, there are plenty of reasons why you might want to keep your data out of the wrong hands. Fortunately, there are a number of ways to securely store sensitive information. Here are a few of the most popular methods.

1. Encryption

Encryption is the process of transforming readable data into an unreadable format. This makes it very difficult for anyone who doesn’t have the proper key to access the information. There are a number of different encryption algorithms available, so it’s important to choose one that is both strong and compatible with your needs. People often secure data with Satori as it is an open-source, easy-to-use tool that uses the AES-256 encryption algorithm. Additionally, it’s important to use a tool that offers secure key management, such as a password manager, to ensure that only authorized individuals have access to the keys needed to decrypt the data.

2. Tokenization

Tokenization is a process of replacing sensitive data with a random value, called a token, that has no intrinsic meaning. This makes it very difficult for someone who doesn’t have the proper key to access the original data. Tokenization is often used in conjunction with encryption as an additional layer of security. Additionally, it can be used as a standalone security measure. If you are looking for a way to further secure your sensitive data, tokenization is an excellent option. Also, keep in mind that you should never store the tokenization key alongside the token.

3. Hashing

Hashing is a process of converting data into a fixed-length value that is known as a hash. This hash can be used to verify the integrity of the data, but it cannot be used to reverse back into the original data. Hashing is a one-way process, which makes it very difficult for someone to obtain the original data if they only have the hash. Additionally, hashing is often used in conjunction with encryption as an additional layer of security. If you are looking for a way to further secure your sensitive data, hashing is an excellent option. This is particularly true if you are looking for a way to verify the integrity of data that is being transmitted.

4. Physical Security

Physical security is the process of securing data in a physical location. This might include locking up computers in a server room or storing backup tapes in a fire-proof safe. Physical security is an important layer of security for any organization that stores sensitive data. Additionally, it’s important to have procedures in place for handling and disposing of physical media that contains sensitive data. For example, you should shred any paper documents that contain sensitive information before throwing them away. It’s also important to properly sanitize any hard drives or other storage devices that contain sensitive information before disposing of them.

5. Data Destruction

Data destruction is the process of irreversibly destroying data so that it can never be recovered. This is often done by physically destroying the storage media, such as with a hammer or drill. Data destruction can also be accomplished by using special software that overwrites the data multiple times with random values. Data destruction is a permanent way to ensure that sensitive data can never be recovered. This is often the best option for disposing of old hard drives or other storage devices that contain sensitive information. 

6. Access Control

Access control is the process of restricting access to data to only those individuals who need it. This can be accomplished through a number of different methods, such as physical security, user authentication, and encryption. Access control is an important layer of security for any organization that stores sensitive data. It’s important to carefully consider who needs access to the data and to put procedures in place to ensure that only authorized individuals have access. If you are looking for a way to further secure your sensitive data, access control is an excellent option.

Data safety is a critical concern for any organization that stores sensitive information. There are a number of different ways to secure data, such as encryption, tokenization, hashing, physical security, and access control. Data destruction is also a viable option for disposing of old storage media that contains sensitive information. When it comes to data safety, it’s important to consider all of your options and to put procedures in place to ensure that your data is as secure as possible.