Source URL: https://cloudsecurityalliance.org/articles/9-tips-to-simplify-and-improve-unstructured-data-security
Source: CSA
Title: 9 Tips to Improve Unstructured Data Security
Feedly Summary:
AI Summary and Description: Yes
Summary: The text outlines significant strategies for managing and securing unstructured data, based on a 2024 Gartner report. These strategies focus on leveraging Data Access Governance and Data Discovery tools, adapting to the changing landscape of data security, particularly with the influence of generative AI. Key insights highlight the importance of broad data governance and dual-layered security measures across both cloud and on-premises environments.
Detailed Description: The text delves into various actionable strategies proposed by Gartner for enhancing unstructured data security in the face of increasing risks associated with modern AI applications. Here are the key points:
– **Data Access Governance (DAG)**:
– Recognized as a crucial tool for reviewing and managing access to unstructured data.
– Helps in preventing unauthorized access, thereby reducing regulatory risks associated with wrongly shared sensitive data, especially in the context of generative AI.
– **Data Discovery and Classification**:
– Essential for understanding unstructured data. These tools assist in ensuring data security governance and compliance while enhancing efficiency and cost management.
– Technologies like NLP and LLMs aid in accurately classifying complex data within unstructured formats.
– **Comprehensive Security Beyond Cloud**:
– Highlights that on-premises data, often overlooked, can present significant vulnerabilities.
– Security solutions must span across all environments—cloud and on-premises—to provide holistic protection.
– **Multi-Solution Approach**:
– Warns against relying on a single vendor’s tools as they may not cover all necessary aspects of unstructured data security.
– Suggests integrating third-party solutions to enhance overall data governance and classification.
– **Quick Wins for Enablement of AI**:
– Emphasizes the importance of finding short-term strategies that facilitate the use of generative AI securely.
– DAG tools serve as effective immediate solutions to mitigate data oversharing risks.
– **Long-Term Compliance Strategies**:
– As AI tools evolve, continuous efforts towards data classification and governance are essential to maintain compliance.
– **Dark Data and Data Cataloging**:
– Suggests focusing on creating comprehensive data catalogs rather than just identifying dark data to enhance overall data security and compliance.
– **Understanding Data Silos**:
– Clarifies that not all data silos are detrimental; some can enhance data governance through organized management.
– **Urgency of Implementation**:
– Stresses the need for timely implementation of these strategies given the rapidly evolving data threat landscape, including risks of insider threats and data breaches.
In summary, professionals in data security, compliance, and IT governance should pay close attention to these recommendations as they provide a structured approach to enhance data protection, comply with regulations, and leverage emerging AI technologies effectively.