US (SOCIAL COMPUTING JOURNAL) DATA SAFETY How Safe Is Your Data? | Social Computing Journal:

How Safe Is Your Data?

By Business Wire
May 7, 2009 04:35 AM EDT

Did you know that 2,000 laptops are stolen daily? According to Verizon Communications Inc., more than 285 million data records were breached in 2008. That’s more than in the four previous years combined. Also, the Internet Crime Complaint Center – a joint agency of the FBI and the National White Collar Crime Center – found that Web fraud reported to U.S. authorities increased by 33 percent last year. So what can people do to protect themselves?

Businesses must develop strong data security policies and ensure they are both communicated to and followed by employees. A recent ESG Research study found many organizations are doing a poor job “communicating and training users on confidential data security policies.” CEO of online storage and backup provider Data Deposit Box (www.datadepositbox.com) Jamie Brenzel recommends increasing employee training on safe data handling.

The Verizon study showed that it isn’t necessarily employees with sensitive data that are being hacked. “In today’s world, where everyone is connected to hundreds of other people through email address books, Facebook and Twitter accounts, it’s easier than ever for hackers to infiltrate one computer and use it to attack hundreds and even thousands of other computers,” said Brenzel. “If a friend sends you a suspicious-sounding message with a link in it, don’t click on the link!” he added.

For all computer users, Brenzel says to update anti-virus protections. He also reminds people that one of the most important components of a sound security plan includes a reliable backup system that not only safeguards against data loss, but also encrypts information.

“The majority of the data breached wasn’t encrypted or password-protected, which is amazing given how easily that can be fixed,” says Brenzel. “Encryption is not just something you hear about on 24. It’s something everyone should do. The fate of the nation may not lie in a small business owner’s accounting files, but a company’s survival and employees’ jobs hinge upon them being safe, and that’s important.” Data Deposit Box encrypts its customers’ backed up data with bank-grade Blowfish-448 encryption, which to this date has never been cracked.

Data breaches cost affected businesses an average of almost $6.7 million per incident last year. In this economy, skimping on data protections could sound the death knell for a business, a frightening prospect whether you’re a business owner or just trying to hold onto your job. However, that knowledge does not erase the need for tighter budgets, at home or at work, so how can people be sure they invest their money on the right security functions?

“The old clichés apply when it comes to security – ‘you get what you pay for,’” says Brenzel. “Look for reputable vendors that offer affordable, feature-rich solutions, but read the fine print and understand exactly what you’re getting before you sign up.” Brenzel says that includes scrutinizing offers that seem too good to be true.

“If an offer seems so inexpensive that it makes you wonder how the company could make any money, there’s a good chance it’s not making money,” says Brenzel. “So how long will it be in business and what will happen to your data if the company goes under?”

Most importantly, business owners and consumers need to follow their gut – as well as expert advice.

“If about 2 out of every 1,000 consumer hard drives will crash every week, the odds are it will happen to you,” Brenzel says. “Whether you’re protecting financial information or ten years worth of family photos, the reality is that ignoring your computer security now to save a few dollars is going to cost you much more in the end.”

For more information on Data Deposit Box, please visit www.datadepositbox.com, where Jamie Brenzel comments on industry happenings and offers additional tips on security.