Your business depends on your ability to seamlessly exchange data across systems, teams, partners and customers. But sharing data can also open up your organization to security vulnerabilities, particularly when exchanging data outside the firewall. Data breaches are on the rise worldwide, as hackers have developed increasingly sophisticated tools to exploit vulnerabilities. What’s more, the cost of a data breach is staggering; according to a recent study by IBM, the average cost of a data breach in 2024 reached $4.88 million due to factors including lost business and post-breach customer response. It can take years to fully recover from the reputational damage of such an incident.
Fortunately, there are steps every business can take to increase security when exchanging data across their ecosystem. It starts with having the right data integration tools. A data integration platform that has best-in-class security features can help protect your sensitive data against malicious attacks.
Here are some features to consider when evaluating a data integration vendor:
1. Security frameworks and certification
Security frameworks such as SOC2 and ISO 27001 outline rigorous standards for companies to safeguard customer data and minimize security risks. Companies must undergo third-party audits to be certified as compliant with these frameworks. Depending on your industry and region, there are other certifications that may be necessary, such as GDPR in the EU or HIPAA for companies in the healthcare industry.
2. Encryption
Encryption is one of the most pivotal tools that companies use to secure data. It works by scrambling data to be unrecognizable to anyone but users with the key, which enables them to decipher it. You can use encryption keys provided by the software vendor, or you can bring your own encryption keys for added security. Look for a platform that offers end-to-end encryption of data in motion and at rest.
3. Role-based access control
Role-based access control describes the ability for platform users to be organized into different roles with certain permissions based on how they need to use the platform. Users can only access the platform features and data that are aligned to their permission settings. This approach improves security by reducing the risk of unauthorized personnel accessing sensitive data.
4. Data observability and anomaly detection
If there is a data breach, early detection is critical in mitigating the consequences. A platform with strong data observability capabilities will help companies detect anomalies and notify stakeholders immediately, so they can quickly intervene. Additionally, detailed logs can provide a clear audit trail to support investigations.
While data breaches and cyber attacks aren’t going away any time soon, having a secure data integration platform can provide peace of mind to your employees, partners and customers when exchanging sensitive data.