Safe & Secure Data (part 1)

Data security means different things, depending on the paradigm. In the paper paradigm, if you kept your files sorted, away from prying eyes, dry, and not on fire you were set. It is actually quite a trick, but everyone is used to it. What they are not used to is how this works in the paperless paradigm. In the paperless world, while the intent is the same the task list is quite different: private, reproducible, and accessible.


Before I go into the details, I need to remind everyone of what you already know:  to err is human, but to truly screw-up you need a computer. If your secretary is a bad filer, the damage is limited - it can be bad, but still, it is limited. A virus or an incompetent worker on a cheap laptop can easily destroy a huge volume of data in seconds. Think everything in your firm, all of it! Think e-fire! 


Please don't panic, you can make your on-line data safe, in fact safer than the paper version. Many of the steps needed are probably already in place. Most people have anti-virus software and back-up their data; that is a good start. Maybe you should make yourself a cup of tea.


There are three places your data can reside: 

1. On your computers/devices
2. In transit: i.e. email, wireless printing, cloud printing, etc.
3. Off-site storage: Centre data servers, cloud storage, Back-up tapes, etc.

You need each of them, but they all have there own special hell.  I will be dealing with them over the next while.


Roger

Further Reading:
The Economist - Computer Security: The Blame Game

McAfee White Paper - Revealed: Operation Shady RAT

Passwords are important: Good Encryption (TrueCrypt) Software in Action

TrueCrypt Website

PC World Business Center Article: icloud Raises Serious Data Security Concerns