Protecting Information During Data Migration

More companies are increasing their investment in data center solutions to meet their storage needs. Campos Research & Analysis recently conducted a survey of high-ranking officials in large corporations, with 98 percent replying that they planned to expand their data centers in the next two years. However, with the increasing risks of data breaches across the globe, securing those servers has become a major concern for companies moving resources into off-site locations.

Data centers at risk for breach
The Gabriel Consulting Group's survey of 147 data center operators found that 20 percent of respondents confirmed that their organization had experienced at least one security breach in the preceding 18 months. Data centers are being increasingly targeted by cybercriminals looking to steal valuable information or disrupt the operability of a rival enterprise or nation. According to Verizon's 2012 data breach report, 94 percent of the security lapses experienced by companies were the result of a direct assault on server infrastructure. When expanding data center servers, companies need to be certain that their sensitive data has ample protection.

Data Center Journal recommended that companies planning to expand their data servers should plan for building security protocols into each service they will use. Some businesses only think of security as an afterthought, valuing maintenance and convenience above all other considerations. However, by having security measures integrated into services from the beginning, they can be more confident in the protection of sensitive information.

Planning for an attack
Part of that plan should include a comprehensive risk-management strategy. While some companies may be content to settle on a reactive approach to data breaches, a strategy that stresses prevention can significantly mitigate the amount of damage incurred from these incidents. With a purely reactionary mindset toward security, companies are unable to project the types of threats they will be facing down the road. A recent study found that 27 million unique strains of malware were detected in 2012 alone, according to SPAMfighter.

From the information stored on company computers to cloud servers, encryption can provide businesses with the data security needed to prevent cybercriminals from accessing sensitive files. A comprehensive encryption strategy can protect data whether it is stored on-premises or being hosted on a cloud server, giving companies the assurance that their information is secure regardless of its location.