You’ve likely heard the advice a thousand times: encrypt your data. It’s a standard box to tick on every cybersecurity checklist, right alongside strong passwords and firewalls. But have you considered how well your data is encrypted? If you only have basic security measures, you might be less protected than you think.
Let’s find out for sure whether your data encryption meets the necessary standards.
What Is Data Encryption?
Data encryption is a way of scrambling data so that only authorized people can read it. Without the right key, the data looks like a jumbled mess of characters. Even if a hacker can bypass all other security measures and steal your data, as long as it’s encrypted, whatever they steal will be worthless and unreadable.
This is completely separate from passwords, firewalls, and antivirus software, which focus on keeping unauthorized people out of your network in the first place. Encryption is the next level of protection if all other security fails.
Where Should Your Business Data Be Encrypted?
Ideally, data should be encrypted in two main states: at rest and in transit.
At rest refers to the data on hard drives, servers, USB sticks, and mobile devices. Basically, any physical device that could be stolen from a business location.
In transit refers to digital data. This includes emails, cloud files, or information passing through your office Wi-Fi.
Common Gaps Small Businesses Miss
Basic security measures aren’t enough to secure all of your sensitive business information. Many areas can be easily overlooked during the data encryption setup process:
- Backups and Disaster Recovery Systems: You might encrypt your main server, but did you remember the backup drives sitting in the closet or the cloud archive?
- Mobile Devices and Remote Workers: Laptops and phones used by remote staff often lack the same security settings as office desktops.
- Third-Party Vendors: You might be secure, but are the marketing agencies or accounting firms you share data with using the same standards?
- Legacy Systems: Older software and hardware often predate modern encryption standards and may have never been updated to support them.
How to Verify Your Data Is Encrypted
If you’ve read this far, you’re probably hoping to make sure you’ve made the right encryption decisions. Luckily, you don’t need to be a coding expert to find out. You just need to ask the right questions.
Step 1: Look at Your Devices and Systems
Start with the hardware. Most modern operating systems (Windows and macOS) have built-in encryption tools like BitLocker or FileVault. Go into your system settings and verify that these features are actually turned on for every office and remote office computer.
Step 2: Check Cloud Tools and Backups
Review the security documentation for the cloud services you use (like Google Workspace, Dropbox, or Microsoft 365). They should clearly state that your data encryption is standard. Don’t forget to check your backup settings encrypt your data before it leaves your network.
Step 3: Ask Your Vendors Directly
Ask your vendors specific questions to make sure you have the full picture. Is your data encrypted when stored on their servers? Is it encrypted when you send it to them? Their ability (or inability) to answer quickly will tell you a lot about their security posture.
Secure Your Network with RedNight
Verifying data encryption can feel like a heavy lift, especially when you have a business to run. At RedNight, we specialize in creating custom network security solutions and providing unmatched cybersecurity. We can help you identify gaps in your encryption strategy and offer strategic recommendations to improve it.
Talk to our team to secure your data!