Data security and privacy
Secure data storage, data loss prevention and encryption are must-have components of any enterprise security strategy, especially as data threats and breaches become increasingly common. Get advice on these topics, along with the latest data security strategies, data backup and recovery info, and more.
Top Stories
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Feature
03 Jun 2026
How to secure data at rest, in use and in motion
Data is the lifeblood of modern commerce; securing it properly requires a top-level, strategic commitment that dovetails with risk management and competitive advantage. Continue Reading
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Feature
29 May 2026
Verify backup data integrity to reduce recovery risks
Validation is an essential part of data backups. Test and confirm that your backup data is intact and usable now, rather than discovering problems during a recovery. Continue Reading
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Answer
12 Feb 2013
What risk does the Apple UDID security leak pose to iOS users?
Expert Michael Cobb details Apple's Unique Device Identifiers, plus why iOS users should be concerned about the Anonymous UDID security leak. Continue Reading
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Tip
08 Jan 2013
Windows Server 2012 security: Is it time to upgrade?
Expert Michael Cobb wades through the security features of Windows Server 2012 to find out what's new and beneficial in Microsoft's latest release. Continue Reading
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Opinion
01 Nov 2012
Protecting Intellectual Property: Best Practices
Organizations need to implement best practices to protect their trade secrets from both internal and external threats. Continue Reading
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Tip
06 Dec 2011
P2P encryption: Pros and cons of point-to-point encryption
P2P encryption is an emerging technology; one that may be helpful for many companies, especially merchants. Mike Chapple dissects the pros and cons. Continue Reading
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Answer
17 Oct 2011
Comparing relational database security and NoSQL security
In this introduction to database security, expert Michael Cobb explains the differences between relational database and NoSQL security. Continue Reading
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Tip
05 Nov 2010
Outsourcing data center services: SMB security best practices
Learn best practices for outsourcing data center services and about the security and compliance considerations that influence whether an SMB should outsource data center services. Continue Reading
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Tip
18 Oct 2010
Data classification best practices in financial services
Data classification is critical in the highly regulated financial industry. Learn key steps for data classification. Continue Reading
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Tip
14 Jun 2010
Your USB port management options
When it comes to managing USB ports, the choice is yours. Mike Chapple reviews your three best options. Continue Reading
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Answer
19 May 2010
MD5 security: Time to migrate to SHA-1 hash algorithm?
Many organizations have been replacing the MD5 hash algorithm with the SHA-1 hash function, but can the MD5 hash algorithm still be used securely? Continue Reading
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Answer
17 Dec 2009
Personally identifiable information guidelines for U.S. passport numbers
Do U.S. passport numbers count as personally identifiable information? Learn more about guidelines for PII in this security management expert response from David Mortman. Continue Reading
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Answer
03 Nov 2009
How to protect employee information in email paystubs
Many companies are moving to a system of paperless paystubs. Learn how to protect the information contained in these email paystubs with the use of secure email in this expert response. Continue Reading
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Answer
23 Oct 2009
What is an encryption collision?
Michael Cobb reviews how encryption collision attacks on cryptographic hash functions could compromise the security of all kinds of digital systems. Continue Reading
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Answer
28 Aug 2009
What are new and commonly used public-key cryptography algorithms?
Expert Michael Cobb breaks down a variety of encryption algorithms and reviews the use cases for several types of cryptography. Continue Reading
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Answer
25 Aug 2009
What are the export limitations for AES data encryption?
Although AES is free for any use public or private, commercial or non-commercial programs that provide encryption capabilities are subject to U.S. export controls. Expert Michael Cobb reviews the limitations. Continue Reading
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Answer
09 Jan 2009
Comparing FTP vs. TFTP
There are some differences between FTP and TFTP, but here's the catch: both are inherently insecure protocols. Continue Reading
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Tip
05 Nov 2008
Lessons learned: The Countrywide Financial breach
The data breach at Countrywide Financial Corp. seems like something out of a TV crime drama: Two men regularly copied customer data and secretly sold it as leads to other mortgage brokers. The tale suggests that data theft is, more often than not, an inside job. Robert Mullins reviews internal threats, and the authorization and access control practices that can stop them. Continue Reading
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Answer
27 Mar 2008
Is Triple DES a more secure encryption scheme than DUKPT?
Both DES and TDES use a symmetric key, but Michael Cobb explains their separate and distinct roles in protecting financial transactions. Continue Reading
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Answer
07 Nov 2007
What are the security risks of a corporate divestiture?
Security management expert Mike Rothman discusses the data protection issues involved with a corporate divestiture . Continue Reading
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Answer
01 Oct 2007
How should sensitive customer data, such as driver's license information, be handled?
In this Q&A, Identity management and access control expert Joel Dubin discusses how to properly protect the personal data of a driver's license. Continue Reading
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Answer
31 May 2007
What should be done with a RAID-5 array's failed drives?
Even one failed drive in a RAID-5 array can present an enterprise with serious data protection concerns. In this SearchSecurity.com Q&A, expert Michael Cobb explains which policies can protect and recover RAID-5 data. Continue Reading
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Answer
24 May 2007
What are the alternatives to RC4 and symmetric cryptography systems?
In this SearchSecurity.com Q&A, network security expert Mike Chapple explains how RC4 encryption stacks up against public key cryptography. Continue Reading
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Answer
18 Apr 2007
How to verify 140-2 (FIPS 140-2) compliance
In this SearchSecurity.com Q&A, identity management and access control expert, Joel Dubin, discuses several ways to verify that Federal Information Processing Standard 140-2 is being enforced. Continue Reading