3 Essential Security Considerations for Data Streams
Company representatives increasingly rely on data streams to get clearer perspectives about what is happening within their organizations at any time. Conversely, some of the world’s top brands — from Disney to Spotify — provide data streams to customers. No matter how today’s executives use data streams, they must treat cybersecurity as a top priority by pondering important considerations.
1. Follow User Privacy Rules and Maintain the Data Securely
A recent federal report revealed many social media sites and streaming entities do not adequately protect Americans’ data. More specifically, the investigation indicated these entities often run monetization campaigns worth billions of dollars that lack appropriate privacy controls. That often means these businesses collect data about people and retain it indefinitely, even if those individuals are not active platform users. Additionally, the report found some parties did not fully comply with people’s information-deletion requests.
Another takeaway was kids and teens were especially vulnerable, especially from a mental health perspective. How do these findings relate to cybersecurity? They emphasize why those involved in data collection and processing must have well-defined reasons for gathering and using the information.
Even more critical is understanding where a brand keeps its data. Failing to know that means the organization almost certainly cannot adequately protect those resources.
2. Deploy Continuous Data Processing and Monitoring Measures
Those responsible for handling data and keeping it secure should also strongly consider continuous processing options, including watching how the content moves from its source to the target. Besides providing essential peace of mind that all is well, careful oversight should make people more aware of potential abnormalities in the content’s format, volume or other details. When those characteristics stray from the norm, they could encourage people to look deeper and ensure the differences are not because of cyberattacks.
The more familiar professionals become with what is typical about their data and the associated use cases, the easier it will be for them to create valuable baselines. They can use that information to determine what has changed and why. Deviations do not automatically equal cyberattacks, but they should urge people to take a closer look at what is happening or has recently.
Additionally, IT teams can take the opportunity to examine whether now is the right time to install artificial-intelligence-powered cybersecurity solutions that analyze data streams in real time and flag the correct parties about anything unusual. Although AI should not replace humans’ cybersecurity expertise, it can complement it. It can also become extraordinarily helpful when professionals deal with excessive workloads because tech solutions can help people triage potential issues and determine which to tackle first.
3. Keep Tools and Software Updated
Whether companies collect, distribute, or manage data streams, they probably use various specialty tools to make their tasks easier. A commonly recommended cybersecurity strategy from users’ perspectives is to keep their streaming applications updated. That is because cybercriminals regularly look for and exploit known vulnerabilities. Fortunately, software updates often include security patches that close those weaknesses.
IT departments should develop strategies to keep everything updated in the most convenient and thorough ways. One best practice is to enable automatic updates outside of business hours or other times when they will be minimally disruptive.
Another possibility is to assign a specific party to be responsible for applying software updates and ensuring that they occur as intended. Then, there is no chance of someone getting confused about who is responsible for taking that simple and all-important step.
Beyond software updates themselves, IT departments should oversee which devices employees use for work tasks and decide whether they can bring them from home or must use corporate-provided options. Although the latter is frequently safer, many workers prefer using the products they own, finding them more familiar.
Keep Data Streams Safe and Effective
Data streams can become tremendously valuable resources, but that is only the case when people apply cybersecurity best practices to them. Otherwise, it is highly likely that the information could either become a target for cybercriminals or be so poorly organized and managed that representatives cannot use it well. Fortunately, the above tips allow organizations to avoid those pitfalls, and they are easy to implement across organizations of all sizes and types.
Additionally, it is wise to reevaluate the chosen strategies whenever there is a change in the amount, type of data or the reason for collecting it. Those factors can all necessitate different — and potentially stronger — cybersecurity measures, so enterprises must remain adaptable.
