5 Big Data Security Issues You Need to Know About Today

As big data becomes an essential tool for businesses, it’s important to understand the security risks that come with it. Big data opens up a wealth of opportunities, but it also exposes sensitive information to cybercriminals. This article delves into the top five big data security issues you need to know about today.

1. Insider Threats

Despite the best efforts of organizations to protect their data, the biggest security threat often comes from within. Insider threats can include employees, contractors, or third-party vendors, who intentionally or unintentionally leak sensitive data. This can be due to a lack of security awareness, carelessness, or even malicious intent.

One example is the 2013 Target data breach, which was caused by an employee of one of its vendors who had been compromised by a phishing email. To mitigate this risk, organizations must implement strict access controls, regular employee training, and background checks on vendors.

2. Data Breaches

Data breaches occur when unauthorized persons gain access to sensitive data, either through hacking or social engineering techniques. These breaches can result in the exposure of personal identifiable information (PII), which can lead to identity theft, financial fraud, or reputational damage.

To prevent data breaches, data encryption should be implemented, and all data transmissions should be secured. Organizations must also employ robust firewalls and intrusion detection systems, and regularly conduct penetration testing to identify vulnerabilities.

3. Lack of Data Privacy

As organizations collect ever more vast amounts of data, the challenge of protecting privacy becomes greater. This is especially true when large datasets are shared with third-party partners.

To ensure data privacy, appropriate data governance policies and procedures must be put in place. Organizations should also implement anonymization and pseudonymization techniques to protect sensitive data.

4. Insecure Data Storage

Data storage practices can also pose a significant risk to big data security. If data is stored in an insecure location, it can be easily hacked, stolen, or altered.

To minimize this risk, organizations should ensure their data is stored in an encrypted format and implement access controls that restrict who can access the data. Monitoring and auditing of storage locations should also be conducted regularly.

5. Regulatory Compliance

With the introduction of new data protection legislation, such as GDPR and CCPA, organizations must ensure they comply with the latest security and privacy regulations. Failure to comply can result in hefty fines and reputational damage.

To ensure compliance, organizations should conduct regular audits and assessments of their data protection programs and seek guidance from legal experts. They should also ensure they have clearly defined data retention policies and appropriate consent workflows in place.

Conclusion

Big data security issues are a growing concern for businesses. Insider threats, data breaches, lack of data privacy, insecure data storage, and regulatory compliance are all challenges that need to be addressed. By implementing best practices for data security, organizations can minimize the risks associated with big data and protect sensitive information from unauthorized access.