Key Points:

• Data breaches are expensive and common. Businesses need a comprehensive strategy to protect PII that includes encryption, data masking, access controls, risk identification, and employee training.
• Encrypting data at rest and in transit makes it unreadable for unauthorised users. Access controls like RBAC ensure only authorised personnel see PII.
• Data masking allows using data without exposing sensitive information. Educating employees on data security best practices reduces human error, a major cause of breaches.

The protection of Personally Identifiable Information (PII) has become a critical issue for businesses and governmental bodies alike. With the exponential growth of data generation, sharing, and storage, the risk of exposing sensitive information is ever-present.

To combat this, security leaders are adopting comprehensive, multi-layered approaches to safeguard this vital information. In this article, we’ll explore five essential tips for protecting PII in digital environments.

1. Prioritise Data Encryption

Data encryption should be the cornerstone of your data protection strategy. By encrypting data both at rest and in transit, you ensure that it remains unreadable to unauthorised users. This is crucial, especially when storing data in cloud services like Google Drive or transmitting it over networks. According to a report by the Ponemon Institute, encryption can reduce the average cost of a data breach by $360,000. Ensuring that your data is always encrypted provides a robust first line of defence against breaches.

2. Anonymise PII with Data Masking

Data masking involves obfuscating PII with scrambled, yet functionally equivalent data. This method allows businesses to use the data without exposing sensitive information. For example, customer service representatives might need access to customer data, but not necessarily the real PII. By using masked data, organisations can perform necessary functions while significantly reducing the risk of a breach.

3. Implement Stringent Access Controls

Access controls, or Identity and Access Management (IAM), are vital in ensuring that only authorised personnel have access to critical data. Role-Based Access Control (RBAC) limits data access based on job roles, ensuring that employees only access information necessary for their tasks. This minimises the risk of unauthorised access to PII. According to iWatchdog, 60% of data breaches are linked to insiders, emphasising the need for effective access controls.

4. Identify Key Risks in Your Digital Environment

The adoption of SaaS and AI productivity tools has expanded the threat surface, making it easier for security breaches to occur. Risks can stem from employee errors, insider threats, or forgotten stale data in drives. A recent study by Metomic found that 86% of files in Google Drive had not been accessed in over 90 days, highlighting poor data management. Implementing Data Loss Prevention (DLP) tools to monitor, detect, and block potential breaches is critical. These tools help identify and mitigate risks before they become significant issues.

5. Educate and Empower Your Workforce

Despite advances in technology, 95% of data breaches are down to human error, according to IBM’s most recent Cost of a Data Breach Report. Therefore, continuous education and training on data security best practices are imperative. Regular phishing simulations and real-time alerts can help employees recognise risky behaviours and make informed decisions. Empowering your workforce with the knowledge and tools to handle PII responsibly can significantly reduce the risk of breaches.

Data breaches are increasingly common and costly, with the average breach costing $4.43 million, according to IBM. For businesses handling sensitive personal data, adopting a multi-layered security approach is not optional—it's essential. By prioritising encryption, utilising data masking, implementing robust access controls, identifying key risks, and educating employees, organisations can significantly reduce the risk of unauthorised access and data breaches.

For those committed to safeguarding their data, these practices are not just recommended—they are crucial. Ensuring the safety and integrity of your most critical data protects not only your business but also the individuals whose information you are entrusted with.

How Metomic Can Help Protect PII

Metomic offers comprehensive solutions to safeguard PII effectively, including:

1. Data Discovery and Classification: Metomic continuously scans databases and files to identify and classify PII, ensuring it is appropriately labelled and handled.
2. Access Controls: Metomic enforces strict access controls, limiting PII access to authorised personnel only, using RBAC.
3. Encryption: Metomic secures data at rest and in transit with advanced encryption standards, ensuring that encryption keys are stored and managed securely.
4. Compliance Reporting: Metomic simplifies compliance with regulations like GDPR, CCPA, and HIPAA by providing detailed audit trails and generating compliance reports.

For more information or a personalised demonstration, get in touch with Metomic’s data security experts.