What is Data Security? Definition, Examples, and Best Practices

Data security refers to protecting data from unauthorized access, use, theft or destruction. It encompasses a range of technologies, processes and policies designed to safeguard data from potential threats. Data privacy specifically deals with protecting personal information from intrusive or harmful use. Ensuring data security is important because insecure data can lead to damaged reputation, loss of revenue or customers, regulatory fines, and litigation. Examples of insecure data include exposure of sensitive data, manipulation of data, and loss of data. Metrics used to measure data security include data encryption coverage, user authentication attempts, and time to breach detection. To ensure data security, best practices such as access control and regular backups should be implemented.