Hier erfahren Sie, wie Sie als Führungskraft vertrauliche oder sensible Informationen schützen können.

Technologies for safeguarding confidential data have been around for quite some time, and it is even currently possible to use generative AI itself to mask or protect data quite effectively. But like everything, the main difficulty of data governance involves the human factor. It is necessary to define data governance processes and technologies, but it is even more necessary to involve the different profiles of the company so that they assume roles and responsibilities over the company's information, either as owners, custodians or users of the data. Therein lies the real difficulty in obtaining a good result, because it is first necessary to achieve a good data business culture and this is something that does not happen overnight.

Agencies and organizations needs to have trainung policies in place on how confidential information should be communicated and discarded, mandatory training for their employees on cybersecurity every quarter will help employee know how to Navigate the online space with caution ,and what information to send out via secured / encrypted links , how to determine Phishing and malicious communications .

A principio deve-se definir quais são efetivamente as informações que podem ou não serem divulgadas e/ou compartilhadas, ou seja, definir as políticas internas para que fiquem bem claras as regras. Posteriormente o treinamento à todos para que as regras fiquem claras. Posteriormente o monitoramento e acompanhamento sistêmico além das reciclagens, para que sempre esteja no foco os princípios preestabelecidos na regra.

If you are in strong trust with your team and clients you have the advantage of keeping key information in your tight circle with the who needs to know. You can do all the other safe guards like project names, encryptions, secured data rooms. It all starts with the trust from the beginning. If you can't trust them, why would you do business with them?

Establishing comprehensive policies is foundational to safeguarding sensitive information. As an executive, you should lead the development of clear, detailed policies that define what constitutes confidential information and outline the procedures for handling, storing, and sharing it. These policies should be regularly updated to reflect evolving threats and regulatory requirements. In my experience, involving legal and IT departments in policy creation ensures that all potential vulnerabilities are addressed and compliance is maintained.

In this specific case we need to consider the information flow models and specifically the Bell- Lapadula model will be good to consider right at the design phase. This model presents three rules Simple security rule, which is the no read up. * Property rule, which is no write down Strong star, which requires that is a subject has both read and write capabilities, these two functions can only be performed at the same security level. adopting this security will go a long way in safeguarding sensitive information flow.

Em minha experiência vivi em muitas realidades em que o gestor fornecia a senha para seu time para que as informações fossem acessadas e/ou trabalhadas. Acredito que o controle de acesso o treinamento do time sobre a criticidade das informações sejam mais assertivas e tenham um melhor resultado prático.

The obvious? Strong authentication (MFA), need to know principle, and avoiding toxic combinations of rights. Beyond the obvious: operationalizing this without having people struggle to prove and check, turning into an administrative realm, means investing wisely into transforming key parts of the tech stack. Where? 1. Ensure all applications go into a single “strong” authentication system (MFA). 2. Ensure all application profiles and credentials are fed into a system that allows technical reconciliation of rights, then recertification by managers. 3. Ensure a centralized authorization system, with profiles, credentials, etc., to provide access from a single source of truth, preventing toxic combinations of rights, by design, across the org.

Implementing stringent access control measures is essential. This involves restricting access to sensitive information based on job roles and responsibilities. Utilizing role-based access control (RBAC) systems ensures that employees only have access to the data necessary for their work. Regular audits should be conducted to review and adjust access permissions as needed. In my previous roles, I've found that leveraging multi-factor authentication (MFA) and monitoring access logs can significantly enhance security.

This is so important but very often extremely complex and difficult to implement, especially for small to medium businesses with limited resources. Employing help from a solid IT managed service provider can make a big difference. Leveraging the capabilities of the software you have, or getting new technology tools, to support the effort is definitely a key component to a successful implementation.

Advanced technologies such as Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) systems, automated response tools, and threat intelligence platforms can significantly enhance an organization’s ability to detect, analyze, and respond to incidents swiftly and accurately. These tools help in monitoring network activity, identifying anomalies, and automating initial response actions, which are crucial for mitigating the effects of a breach.

As head of data governance and security projects, I have been using different information protection and safeguarding technologies for many years. They are not (were) simple projects, since they imply starting from a very detailed knowledge of the companies' data, an issue that is not always clear, which is why it almost always involves an initial effort of identification, analysis and cataloging of the information, which even using data discovery tools is not possible to automate 100%. However, we are currently testing the use of Generative AI, and the results are very promising. Likewise, it does not solve the problem 100% but the ease of development and associated costs have been reduced x10.

Sensible Daten sowie Firmen-Daten im Allgemeinen sollten firmenintern zwischen den berechtigten Mitarbeitenden dergestalt miteinander teilbar sein, dass der gefühlte und tatsächliche Aufwand möglichst gering ist. Andernfalls finden die Mitarbeitenden andere Optionen, die Daten untereinander auszutauschen, und umgehen die Sicherheitsmassnahmen. Auch innerhalb von Konzerngesellschaften ist es - meiner Erfahrung nach - wirtschaftlich geschickt, dass eine Datenaustausch-Lösung implementiert wird, die mehrheitlich bloss für die sensiblen Daten einen höheren Übertragungs-/Austauschberechtigungs-Standard erfordert, statt jedwede konzerninterne E-Mail mit dem derzeit höchstmöglichen Zugriffsschutz zu verschlüsseln.

Leveraging advanced technology is crucial in protecting sensitive information. Deploying encryption for data at rest and in transit, using secure communication tools, and implementing robust cybersecurity solutions such as firewalls, intrusion detection systems, and antivirus software are all vital. Cloud services should be chosen carefully, ensuring they offer strong security measures. My experience has shown that investing in the latest security technologies and staying informed about emerging threats can greatly reduce the risk of data breaches.

A well-defined incident response plan is critical for mitigating the impact of data breaches. This plan should include procedures for detecting, reporting, and responding to security incidents. Regular drills and simulations help prepare the team for real-life scenarios. An effective incident response plan not only minimizes damage but also ensures compliance with legal and regulatory requirements. In my experience, having a dedicated incident response team and clear communication channels can significantly improve response times and effectiveness.

One of the best bangs for your buck is cyber security insurance from a reputable provider. Aligning your incident response plan with the requirements and advice of the insurer is very important. The good insurers actually work with and guide you to develop a robust, best-practice for incident response plan and business continuity plan. They’ll do periodic audits of your network and technology and make improvement recommendations.

safeguarding confidential or sensitive information requires a comprehensive and robust incident response plan that is integrated into the overall cybersecurity strategy of the organization. This plan should outline clear, actionable steps to mitigate damage swiftly in the event of a data breach or loss. Key to the plan's success is the involvement of executive leadership in championing data security as a top priority and securing the necessary resources and support. Additionally, it's crucial to foster cross-functional collaboration, involving IT, legal, communications, and human resources, to ensure that all aspects of an incident are handled efficiently and cohesively.

One thing I’ve found helpful is to incorporate confidentiality requirements into processes. This reduces ambiguity and provide clear guidelines to employees.

Training your staff in every aspect of the business is essential to the growth and profits of the business. Cross-training as well is a wonderful tool that is often underutilized. I have found that in person presentations and hands - on presentations are more impactful then on demand trainings. As at time they can become outdated and not as accessible to update.

I have learned throughout my career that there is good training and there is bad training. I have also learned that people do not all learn the same way. With that, I encourage you to hire professional security trainers to build your training curriculum and content. Some people will respond well to entertaining self-paced on-line training. Others need that live presentation to absorb the content. Many will do better reading a set of procedures. And don’t miss an opportunity for a lunch and learn or a webinar to help promulgate the expectations and behaviors your organizations needs to become part of its security culture.

Creating a culture of security is crucial but challenging. I found awareness training is common, yet its effectiveness in metrics like reducing phishing link click rates is still debated. Key Strategies for Effective Training: 1. Continuous Learning: Use specialized media like Shakerz for weekly, understandable security news to keep all employees informed and engaged, regardless of their digital expertise. 2. Real-World Relevance: Use real scenarios to show the impact of breaches and the importance of vigilance. Fresh. 3. Empowerment: Encourage reporting by fostering a comfortable environment. As ENISA states, “Cybersecurity starts with good information.” It will focus on the “why” rather than the “what.”

Regular training programs are vital for ensuring that employees understand their role in protecting sensitive information. Training should cover best practices for data security, recognizing phishing attempts, and proper use of company resources. As an executive, promoting a culture of security awareness and leading by example is crucial. I have found that continuous education and reinforcement of security protocols help in maintaining a high level of vigilance among employees.

Starting with policy creation could add more to the paper-universe, so let’s ensure it’s practical and impactful. From my experience working with companies ranging from 500 to 100,000 employees, here’s a refined approach: start by Executive Insights (30-min Meetings) • Identify Key Information: Determine the “golden nuggets” aka crown jewels that need protection, including categories of sensitive data. Most importantly: "why". • Business Reflection: Most executives will evaluate their own departments and identify specific vulnerabilities. You don't even need to ask. • Actionable Steps: this provides clear, actionable advice to initiate immediate improvements and foster a security-first mindset.

Managing third-party vendors who have access to sensitive information requires careful scrutiny. Ensure that vendors adhere to your security policies and have robust measures in place to protect data. Regular audits and assessments of their security practices are necessary. Establishing clear contractual obligations regarding data protection and incident response is also essential. From my experience, fostering strong partnerships and maintaining open communication with vendors can lead to better security alignment and quicker resolution of potential issues.

Organizations must carefully vet and monitor third-party vendors to ensure they adhere to the same stringent security standards as the organization. This includes having clear contractual agreements that outline data protection responsibilities and ensuring that vendors have their own robust incident response plans in place.

Let's be honest, what is confidential or sensitive information? Nothing else than a good old secret. Something we have known since childhood. Implement policies like you want but always remember Benjamin Franklin: "Three can keep a secret, it two of them are dead."

Apart from making policies and using technology for safeguarding the confidential and sensitive information, in my view we should focus more on the training of all the stakeholders and giving ownership but at the same time making an agreement of non disclosure so that everyone has a sense of feeling that all the sensitive information belongs to them and sharing any such information will lead to worst consequences. In one of my earlier assignment, I found that all employees have the access to everything but no one knows that sharing some sensitive information will lead to major losses to the business and so training & sense of ownership was lacking there

As an executive leader, protecting sensitive or confidential information is crucial for the security and integrity of your organization. Use encryption to protect data both in transit and at rest. Ensure that email communications containing sensitive information are encrypted. Regularly back up critical data and ensure that backups are protected and easily recoverable. Keep backups in secure locations separate from the originals. Implement monitoring systems to detect suspicious or unauthorized activity. Conduct regular security audits to identify and resolve potential vulnerabilities.

Topics to take into account based on previous experiences: - Analyze local regulations very well since there are many differences in data protection and confidentiality laws. - Analyze in detail the needs for access and consumption of information to establish access control to it, respecting business processes. - Support data security and control processes with specialized technological solutions, which will significantly reduce the cost of adoption and maintenance. - Clearly define roles and responsibilities within the company regarding data, establishing monitoring mechanisms, and specific personal and team objectives.

Employees are primary cause of information leakages through theft, accidental sharing or accidentally sending information to wrong recipients. Similarly to all other stakeholders, confidentiality requirements should be introduced and emphasised at contracting and onboarding stage and embedded through organisational ethics programs.