Every organization generates and manages, to a greater or lesser extent, sensitive information stored in different locations: User computers, document managers, cloud storage, file servers, etc.
On the one hand, organizations need to prevent internal threats: Information extracted by employees leaving the organization, loss of information through suppliers or the supply chain, etc. Many organizations believe that this problem only affects large government agencies and other entities that manage very sensitive information, but this type of leakage is a bigger problem than most companies believe and a one of the type of leaks that generates more costs to organizations according to the Ponemon Institute.
In addition, organizations are subject to data protection regulations such as the EU-GDPR, PCI in the financial sector, etc. Suffering a data leak or a breach of one of these regulations can be very costly for an organization, as demonstrated by the recent examples of British Airways (£183M) and Marriott (£ 99M) involving the loss/theft of data of millions of users.
Faced with this problem, many CISOs or CIOs have to decide which technologies to use in order to avoid or mitigate a potential sensitive date leak.
Two of the technologies that are usually considered are DLP (Context-Aware Data Loss Prevention) and IRM (Information Rights Management).
This article explains how both technologies can help prevent data leaks, their differences and how they can complement each other.
What is DLP? – Data Loss Prevention / Data Leak Prevention
A DLP solution tries to prevent the leakage or loss of sensitive data in different ways. On the one hand, when data is in storage, by scanning the file servers, endpoints, etc. and locating or classifying sensitive data. Also in transit, when documentation or sensitive data is moving through the network, to removable devices, etc. And finally while the data is in use, controlling whether or not a user of the corporate network has access to it. Usually, hackers try to find personal, financial, intellectual property, data and the like based on pre-established dictionaries.
DLP is like a “policeman” located at the network exit, computer ports and check what is trying to leave and who is trying to extract it from the network perimeter. It also monitors network repositories for sensitive data that is breaching some type of corporate rule.
Although this is tremendously powerful technology, it has to overcome significant challenges in protecting sensitive data:
How can it efficiently determine what can leave and what can’t?
Is it possible to efficiently “close” all of the possible exit points of company data or control them?
Can I control all types of company devices including mobile phones, the cloud, etc.?
And what if something leaves the network and escapes the control of this “policeman?” Can I restrict access?
Traditional DLP solutions can only examine what is trying to leave and decide whether or not it should leave. It is a binary process. However, day-to-day situations are not “binary”. It is very difficult for an IT professional to define policies that describe requirements for data leaving the organization in an efficient manner without generating a number of “false positives”. If the data or the information is not classified, it is difficult to respond effectively. That is why in many it is first necessary to classify or catalogue the data, indicating to the DLP what repositories to scan and determining what is confidential and what is not.
This requires the IT Department to make considerable effort during the configuration, classification and policy management of the DLP in order to refine them sufficiently and generate the minimum number of false positives. However, keep in mind that it is difficult for an IT department to determine what is confidential and what is not. The users who work daily with this data are the ones who really know what is important and should be protected and what is not.
Another challenge is what happens with the documents once they have been distributed. Once the data is outside of the organization, nothing prevents the recipients from forwarding it to unauthorized users, saving it on USBs, etc. This also applies to mobile devices, where the approach to protection tends to be “all or nothing”. Companies often delegate control of data on mobile devices to MDM applications to prevent certain data from being opened outside of corporate or controlled applications.
By requiring a refined management of policies and classification, companies usually start with a “monitoring” phase to detect what type of data leaves the network, before moving on to a “blocking” phase. If the policy is refined, the control of outgoing data will be efficient and blocking processes won’t generate false positives. If not, the noise generated in the organization due to the blocking of data that should be accessible or that should be sent may be significant.
To summarize, DLP tools are very powerful and can classify, monitor and block the output of sensitive data from the network, but the effort require to implement them, refine them and avoid false positives should not be underestimated. Finally, although they protect the “perimeter” of the network, the data may be transferred anywhere.
What is IRM? – Information Rights Management
This technology, within the scope of Data-Centric Security, enables a form of protection to be applied to files that travels with the files wherever they go. It is also known as E-DRM (Enterprise Digital Rights Management) or EIP&C (Enterprise Information Protection & Control).It makes it possible to monitor who accesses the files, when they do so, and whether anybody tries to access without permission, whether the files are inside or outside the organization. Permissions can also be restricted on documents (only Read, Edit, Print, Copy and Paste, etc.). You can revoke access to files in real time if you don’t want certain people to access them again.
When you send a document to someone, within 3 minutes it might have been printed, sent to 5 other people who in turn have sent it to 10 more and made changes to it. We only own the document at the time we create it, but once it is shared, the document ceases to have an owner and the recipient can do whatever they want with it. This is one of the problems that this technology tries to resolve: To ensure that a user continues to be the owner of the data regardless of who it has been shared with.
Bearing in mind how difficult it is to determine the perimeter of the corporate network, the IRM’s approach is to apply a layer of protection to the data that can be controlled even if it is no longer in the network, whether it is in a cloud, on a mobile device, etc.
If the data reaches someone it shouldn’t of whom you consider shouldn’t have access to it, you can revoke the access remotely. You can set expiry dates for documents. Give users more or fewer permissions in real time (Edit when before they could only Read, or restrict the permission to read-only if we don’t want them to edit or print).
envío información sensible
An advantage of this type of solution is the ease with which it can be implemented allowing you to start using it efficiently from day one and enabling you to encrypt and control the sensitive data that the company manages internally or with third parties.
One of the main challenges of this technology making it easy for users to use so that they can manage protected data almost as if it were unprotected data. Also, making it compatible with the applications that users use on a regular basis, such as Office, Adobe, AutoCAD or making it compatible with the repositories of information that organizations usually use: File Servers, SharePoint, Office 365 Cloud applications, G-Suite, Box, etc.
Another challenge of IRM solutions is automatic protection. That is, the protection of data regardless of the user’s decision to do so. In this case, the automatic protection of folders on file servers, or document managers is especially useful.
Also in this regard, integration with a DLP tool can be very useful and provide the perfect combination.
How can DLP and IRM complement each other?
As mentioned, the administrator can establish rules to identify sensitive information using the DLP tool. Once detected, in storage, transit or in use, the administrator can apply a remedial action such as creating a log, blocking access, deleting the file, etc.
Through integration with the IRM, the DLP can establish the automatic protection of the file as a remedial action using an IRM protection policy. For example, if an endpoint, or a network folder is scanned and any credit card data, personal information, etc. is detected in the documents, the DLP can ensure they are automatically protected with an “Internal Use” policy so that only people in the domain or certain departments can access it.
What advantages does this integration provide?
Below are some of the advantages:
Sensitive documents can protect themselves without relying on user action.
These will be protected whether they are transferred inside or outside the corporate network.
You can monitor their access regardless of where they are.
You can revoke access to sensitive data even if it is outside the organization.
integración dlp e irm
SealPath can protect information easily and efficiently by integrating with the main DLP solutions on the market such as ForcePoint, McAfee or Symantec, facilitating the protection of sensitive data in the organization and its control regardless of where it is.
SealPath is focused on creating the best user experience, integrating with users’ normal work tools, offering a product specially designed for large companies and integrated with a multitude of corporate systems such as DLPs, SIEMs, Office 365, SharePoint, G-Suite, Alfresco, OneDrive, etc.
About SealPath SealPath is the European leader in Data-Centric Security and Enterprise Digital Rights Management, working with significant companies in more than 25 countries. SealPath has been helping organizations from different business verticals such as Manufacturing, Oil and Gas, Retail, Finance, Health, and Public Administration, to protect their data for over a decade. SealPath’s client portfolio includes organizations within the Fortune 500 and Eurostoxx 50 indices. SealPath facilitates the prevention of costly mistakes, reducing the risk of data leakage, ensuring the security of confidential information, and protecting data assets.
About Version 2 Digital
Version 2 Digital is one of the most dynamic IT companies in Asia. The company distributes a wide range of IT products across various areas including cyber security, cloud, data protection, end points, infrastructures, system monitoring, storage, networking, business productivity and communication products.
Through an extensive network of channels, point of sales, resellers, and partnership companies, Version 2 offers quality products and services which are highly acclaimed in the market. Its customers cover a wide spectrum which include Global 1000 enterprises, regional listed companies, different vertical industries, public utilities, Government, a vast number of successful SMEs, and consumers in various Asian cities.
關於 Version 2 Digital Version 2 Digital is one of the most dynamic IT companies in Asia. The company distributes a wide range of IT products across various areas including cyber security, cloud, data protection, end points, infrastructures, system monitoring, storage, networking, business productivity and communication products.
Through an extensive network of channels, point of sales, resellers, and partnership companies, Version 2 offers quality products and services which are highly acclaimed in the market. Its customers cover a wide spectrum which include Global 1000 enterprises, regional listed companies, different vertical industries, public utilities, Government, a vast number of successful SMEs, and consumers in various Asian cities.
Understanding the impact of data breaches on businesses is crucial for managing both financial and reputational risks effectively. Recent statistics demonstrate the severe repercussions these security incidents can have. According to IBM’s 204 Cost of a Data Breach Report, businesses face an average cost of $4.88 million per incident, marking the highest level in 19 years. This rising trend underlines the escalating challenges and sophisticated nature of cyber threats. Moreover, the Verizon 2024 Data Breach Investigations Report provides additional insights, indicating that 68% of breaches have a human element involved, such as phishing or misuse of privileges, which highlights the critical need for comprehensive employee training and robust cybersecurity measures.
→ Learn how to Quantify the cost of a Data Breach here.
Additionally, the recovery time from these incidents is substantial, with businesses often taking months, if not years, to fully recover their operations and reputation. For example, breaches involving high-value data such as personal identification information or proprietary secrets not only escalate immediate costs but also lead to long-term losses in customer trust and potential legal repercussions. These insights underscore the importance of developing and maintaining an effective data breach response plan to mitigate risks, ensure compliance, and protect corporate assets. Reflecting upon the high-profile breaches at Equifax and Marriott, one sees vividly the tremors of neglecting an efficient response plan—extended legal battles, staggering financial losses, and a tarnished reputation that takes years to mend.
A Data Breach Response Plan is your company’s strategic playbook—think of it as a fire drill for cybersecurity. It’s your step-by-step guide to tackle and recover from data emergencies. Just as a captain has a plan for stormy seas, this plan is your guide through the tumult of digital crises. When Adobe suffered a major breach impacting 38 million users, their well-orchestrated response plan was immediately activated. They were quick to secure compromised accounts, notify affected users and provide clear instructions on how to protect themselves, effectively minimizing potential fallout.
A Data Breach Response Plan isn’t just a safety net; it’s an essential blueprint, where data breaches are not a matter of if, but when. Championed fervently by critical bodies like the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and underscored by a consortium of cybersecurity experts worldwide, crafting a meticulous response strategy is the linchpin in securing digital fortifications.
Consider this: The Ponemon Institute’s 2021 report found that companies equipped with robust incident response teams and a well-orchestrated plan curbed their financial bleeding by approximately $1.2 million compared to their less-prepared peers. Moreover, stringent regulations such as Europe’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), Network and Information Security Directive (NIS2), or Digital Operational Resilience Act (DORA)… don’t just advise but mandate a swift response following data breaches.
Creating a comprehensive Data Breach Response Plan involves a multi-faceted approach, meticulously designed to protect not just data, but the very integrity of your organization. Key entities like the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) offer robust guidelines to craft a plan tailored for resilience. We know that the role of the CISO, faced with the daunting task of creating a data breach response plan, can seem like navigating a maze without a map. Let’s simplify this journey with a roadmap to build the plan, ensuring each step is clear and actionable:
Data Mapping: Understand where your data resides and how it flows through your organisation. This knowledge is critical to identifying potential vulnerabilities and planning containment strategies. Then determine what data you need to protect. Inventory digital assets to understand where vulnerabilities may exist. Watch the webinar we recorded to help address this issue and identify the data most at risk.
Defining the Output Format: Your plan should be easily accessible and understandable. Opt for a format that can be dynamically updated and shared across your organization. Tools like Microsoft Word or Google Docs are universally accessible and allow for collaborative editing. However, some prefer specialized software or Microsoft Teams for more integrated incident response functionalities.
Assembling Your Team: Crafting a comprehensive plan is not a solo mission. You’ll need a task force that includes, but is not limited to IT Staff for managing technical containment and eradication.
Legal Counsel: To address compliance and regulatory matters.
Human Resources: To handle communication with affected employees.
Public Relations: To manage external communication and protect the company’s brand.
Engaging with external consultants, especially if your enterprise lacks in-house expertise, can fortify your strategy with seasoned insights.
Notification Channels: Pre-plan how to communicate in the event of a breach. This includes internal notifications to executives and teams, and external communications to affected customers and regulatory bodies.
Here’s a breakdown of the 5 key components that should shape your plan:
Preparation: The cornerstone of any response plan. This involves identifying your critical assets, understanding potential threats, and training your response team.
Detection and Analysis: Implementing tools and procedures to detect breaches quickly and accurately assess their impact.
Containment, Eradication, and Recovery: Steps to limit the breach’s spread, eliminate the threat, and restore systems to normal operations.
Post-Incident Activity: Reviewing and learning from the incident to bolster future defenses.
Communication Plan: Establishing protocols for internal and external communication, including regulatory bodies and affected parties.
Preparation is the bedrock of an effective Data Breach Response Plan, requiring a multifaceted approach to ensure readiness for a cybersecurity incident. It encompasses understanding your organization’s unique risks, assets, and capabilities to respond effectively to data breaches. Key aspects to cover:
Risk Assessment: Begin by identifying and evaluating the risks that pose the greatest threat to your organization. This includes understanding the types of data you hold, how it’s used, and the potential impact of a breach on your operations.
Asset Inventory: Create a comprehensive inventory of all your information assets across the organization. Knowing where sensitive data resides and how it’s protected is crucial for rapid response.
Roles and Responsibilities: Clearly define the roles and responsibilities within your response team. This should include internal stakeholders from IT, HR, legal, and communications departments, as well as external partners like cybersecurity firms and legal counsel.
Training and Awareness: Conduct regular training sessions and simulations for your incident response team and staff members. Familiarity with the response plan and understanding their role in a breach scenario is key to a successful response.
Response Toolkit: Assemble a toolkit that includes contact lists for key team members and external partners, templates for breach notifications, and checklists for response actions. This ensures that necessary tools are readily available during an incident.
Detection and Analysis are critical to swiftly identifying and understanding the extent of a data breach, which directly impacts your organization’s ability to respond effectively. Key aspects to cover:
Detection Tools and Technologies: Invest in advanced cybersecurity tools that offer real-time monitoring and detection capabilities. These include Data-centric Solutions with monitoring controls, intrusion detection systems (IDS), security information and event management (SIEM) systems, and endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions. Ensure these tools are properly configured to recognize threats relevant to your organizational context.
Threat Intelligence: Utilize threat intelligence services to stay informed about the latest cybersecurity threats and vulnerabilities. This information can help you adjust your detection systems to new threats and reduce false positives.
Analysis Procedures: Develop a structured approach for analyzing detected threats. This should include initial assessment criteria to determine the scope and severity of an incident, and detailed procedures for further investigation. Ensure your team knows how to quickly gather and analyze data from various sources within your network.
Training and Simulations: Regularly train your analysis capabilities on current threats and practice incident analysis through simulations. This ensures that when a real incident occurs, your team can efficiently assess and escalate the situation based on a well-understood set of indicators and procedures.
Communication Protocols: Establish clear communication lines within your response team and with external stakeholders. Quick and accurate communication is key to effective analysis and subsequent response.
Focusing on Detection and Analysis allows your organization to minimize the time between breach occurrence and detection, significantly reducing potential damages. This phase requires ongoing investment in tools, training, and processes to adapt to the evolving cybersecurity landscape.
Containment, Eradication, and Recovery are crucial phases for controlling the impact of a breach, removing threats, and restoring normal operations. Key aspects to cover:
Containment Strategies: Firstly, devise short-term and long-term containment strategies. The immediate goal is to isolate affected systems to prevent further damage while maintaining business operations. This could involve disconnecting infected machines, applying emergency patches, or adjusting access controls.
Eradication Measures: Once the breach is contained, focus on completely removing the threat from your environment. This involves thorough malware removal, system cleanups, and security gap closures. Ensure all malware is eradicated and vulnerabilities are patched to prevent re-entry.
Recovery Plans: Develop comprehensive plans for returning to normal operations. This includes restoring data from backups, reinstating network operations, and ensuring all systems are clean before reconnecting to the network. Validate the integrity of your data and systems before bringing them back online.
Post-Incident Review: After recovery, conduct a detailed review of the incident to identify lessons learned and areas for improvement. Adjust your incident response plan based on these insights to strengthen your defenses against future attacks.
Communication: Throughout these phases, maintain transparent communication with stakeholders. Inform them of the breach’s impact, what steps are being taken, and expected recovery timelines.
A well-structured approach to Containment, Eradication, and Recovery minimizes downtime and mitigates the impact of a breach. It necessitates detailed planning, including the establishment of clear procedures, roles, and communication protocols to ensure a coordinated and effective response.
Post-Incident Activity is the final phase in incident response, focusing on learning from the incident and refining future defenses. Key aspects to cover:
Incident Documentation: Fully document each incident, detailing the nature of the breach, how it was detected, the steps taken during containment, eradication, and recovery, and the effectiveness of the response. This documentation is crucial for legal, regulatory, and improvement purposes.
Root Cause Analysis: Perform a thorough analysis to determine the underlying cause of the incident. This will help in identifying and fixing systemic issues that may not be apparent at first glance.
Lessons Learned Meeting: Hold a meeting with all key stakeholders involved in the incident to discuss what was done effectively and what could be improved. This session should be constructive, focusing on enhancing the security posture and response processes.
Update Incident Response Plan: Based on insights gained from the incident review and lessons learned, update the incident response plan. This should include adjustments to policies, procedures, and security measures.
Training and Awareness Programs: Use the details of the incident to update training and awareness programs. This helps in educating employees about new threats or errors that led to the recent breach, effectively turning the incident into a learning opportunity.
Review and Test: Regularly review and test the updated incident response plan to ensure its effectiveness. Simulated attacks can be very useful in keeping the response team ready and alert.
Post-Incident Activity not only aims to rectify faults that led to the incident but also strengthens the organization’s overall security stance. It is an opportunity for growth and enhancement of security measures and protocols, ensuring better preparedness for any future incidents.
The Communication Plan is a vital component of incident response, dictating how information about an incident is conveyed within the organization and to external parties. Key aspects to cover:
Internal Communication Protocol: Define who needs to be notified within the organization, how to contact them, and the information to be communicated. This includes setting up a chain of command and specifying roles.
External Communication Strategy: Prepare templates and protocols for external communication. This includes stakeholders, customers, partners, media, and regulatory bodies. Being transparent and prompt in your communications can help manage the narrative and maintain trust.
Regulatory Compliance: Be aware of legal and regulatory requirements regarding breach notification. Different jurisdictions may require different information to be shared at specific times.
Spokesperson Appointment: Designate official spokesperson(s) trained in dealing with the public and media to ensure a consistent, controlled message.
Sensitive Information Protection: Establish guidelines to prevent unauthorized disclosure of sensitive incident details that may exacerbate the situation or reveal too much to potential attackers. → Learn Best Practices for protecting sensitive information here.
Status Updates Schedule: Plan for regular updates to affected parties to keep them informed about progress and resolution.
The Communication Plan should be clear, concise, and adaptable, accounting for various scenarios and audiences. Effective communication is crucial for managing an incident smoothly and maintaining the organization’s reputation.
Crafting a meticulously detailed response strategy should not merely be considered a compliance obligation but a proactive measure to shield your organization’s assets and reputation. Let’s explore, shall we?
Immediate Identification and Analysis: The early moments following the discovery of a breach are critical. For example, when Equifax was hit in 2017, rapid identification helped them scope the enormity, affecting 147 million individuals, and underscored the urgency of quick action.
Decisive Containment: This dual-phase effort entails short-term actions to stop the breach’s spread, followed by a longer-term strategy to ensure stability. Recall how Target, back in 2013, swiftly removed the malware infecting their POS systems to halt further data loss affecting millions.
Thorough Eradication: After containment, it’s imperative to find and fix the root cause. Sony’s 2014 encounter with a massive cybersecurity attack prompted an exhaustive eradication of the infiltrating malware.
Careful Recovery: Reinstating functional integrity and securing breached systems is critical. Post its 2016 breach, Yahoo! revamped their security measures significantly, deploying advanced encryption across user accounts.
Transparent Notification: Trust is the lifeblood of customer relations. Compliance with laws such as GDPR, which mandates breach notification within 72 hours, is not just about legality; it’s about maintaining customer trust and transparency.
Insightful Post-Incident Analysis: After addressing immediate threats, it’s vital to analyze the breach comprehensively to prevent future occurrences. Marriott’s creation of a dedicated resource center in response to their 2018 breach played a crucial role in restoring customer confidence.
Each of these steps, woven into your incident response plan, acts as a critical defense mechanism and learning tool. Review your existing plans, consider these principles, and fortify your organization’s preparedness. Let’s turn each incident into a stepping stone toward stronger, more robust cybersecurity defenses. Shedding light on vulnerabilities can transform them into powerful lessons in safeguarding our digital frontiers.
Embarking on the journey to craft a Data Breach Response Plan? Let’s navigate this path together, outlining a step-by-step checklist. Remember, it’s not just about having a plan; it’s about having a smart, comprehensive strategy.
Initial Analysis and Preparations:
Assess Your Data Landscape: Understand where your critical data resides.
Risk Assessment: Evaluate potential vulnerabilities and threat vectors.
Team Assembly: Form your Data Breach Response Team (DBRT), a mix of IT, legal, PR, and HR.
Plan Development:
Define Procedures for Identification and Analysis: Establish protocols for detecting breaches.
Containment Strategies: Develop short-term and long-term containment plans.
Eradication and Recovery Tactics: Clearly outline how to eliminate threats and recover systems.
Notification Framework: Determine how and when to communicate the breach.
Post-Incident Review Plan: Set up a debriefing procedure to learn from the breach.
Practical Steps toward Completion:
Document Everything: From your planning steps to the actual procedures, make sure it’s all written down..
Train and Drill Your Team: Regularly drill your response plan with your team to ensure everyone knows their role inside out.
Review and Update Regularly: Make it a living document that grows with your organization.
Engage with External Partners: Consider involving cybersecurity experts to review your plan.
Imagine this: following a security breach, a financial institution implements a data breach response plan but soon discovers gaps due to overlooked employee feedback during simulations. By integrating this feedback, they significantly reduce their incident response time in future breaches. This story underscores a core truth—every incident, simulation, and feedback session is gold dust. It provides invaluable insights that, when woven into your existing plan, fortify your defenses and enhance your team’s operation readiness. Actionable steps:
Establish Regular Review Sessions: Schedule quarterly or bi-annual sessions to solicit feedback from all stakeholders involved in the breach response.
Create a Feedback Loop: Encourage continuous communication within your team to report any practical challenges or suggestions for improvements.
Simulate to Innovate: Regularly test your plan under varied simulated breach scenarios to ensure all team members’ inputs lead to real-time improvements.
Now, pivoting to technology—your commitment must not waver here either. Consider data-centric security solutions; these are designed not just to protect perimeters but to shield the data itself, regardless of where it resides. As threats evolve, so too should your technology stack. For instance, incorporating advanced encryption methods and adopting stricter access controls can effectively secure sensitive documents at rest, in motion and in use, making data unreadable to unauthorized users.
We can look to industries such as healthcare or finance, where data-centric security protocols are not just enhancements but necessities. Technologies like Enterprise Digital Rights Management, Data Loss Prevention and Cloud Access Security Brokers tools serve as testaments to how embracing new technologies can provide not only defense but also a competitive edge. You can carry out some actions such as:
Regular Technology Audits: Conduct these audits to evaluate the effectiveness of current tools and identify areas for technological adoption or upgrades.
Partnerships with Tech Pioneers: Collaborate with tech firms and security innovators to stay ahead of the curve and integrate cutting-edge solutions.
Staff Training on New Technologies: Ensure that your team is not just equipped with the best tools but also trained to utilize them effectively.
Each step in refining your Data Breach Response Plan, each integration of fresh technological solutions, adds a layer of strength to your organizational safety net.
In the realm of data security, identifying which information is your ‘crown jewels’ is paramount. These critical data sets – be it personal customer information, proprietary technologies, or financial records – demand heightened security measures to shield them from cyber threats.
Therefore, an up-front analysis of all data assets, their lifecycle, where they are stored, how they are shared, what type of data they are, their level of sensitivity and with whom they are shared, will greatly facilitate the task of establishing appropriate protocols and policies. Once we get down to implementing what we have planned, it is time to look for the right technology to make it easier to follow the protocols, and one of the options that does this best is SealPath.
SealPath is the ultimate solution for identity and access management and encryption. It offers unparalleled flexibility and advanced protection that travels with the files wherever they go. Data is encrypted in three states: at rest, in transit, and in use. Its granular permissions allow you to block unauthorised users or actions with precision.
This solution provides complete visibility over your data, the power to detect unauthorised access. It offers monitoring and rapid response to ensure you comply with your data breach response plan. Imagine SealPath as your digital sentinel, vigilantly monitoring data flows and user interactions to detect anomalies that signal potential breaches. SealPath equips you with the tools needed for a rapid response, minimizing impact and swiftly remediating threats. Moreover, it plays a crucial part in continuity planning, ensuring that your business remains resilient, bouncing back with minimal downtime in the aftermath of an attack.
Here is how the solution stands out:
Permanent Access Control: Restrict access to files by controlling which users can access, what they can do, and When and from where.
Automatic and Transparent Protection: Enable a protection applied to files every time they are copied, moved, or uploaded to folders, without requiring continuous manual actions.
Threat Detection and Identification: View which users access information and their activity for full traceability. Receive alerts with suspicious accesses and analyze detailed reports.
Immediate Response and Remediation: Revoke access to users at any time or block a specific document in the event of suspicious actions. Change permissions on the fly.
In wrapping up our discourse on the imperative of sculpting a meticulously crafted data breach response plan, let’s not forget this is more than just a box-checking exercise. It’s akin to mapping the blueprints for a fortress; every wall, tower, and gate designed not just for strength but for resilience in the wake of an attack. Crafting such a plan should be a dynamic journey, one that continually evolves as new threats emerge and old ones adapt.
It’s about creating a culture of security mindfulness within your organization, where each member becomes a vigilant guardian. Imagine instilling such a robust defense mechanism that, when threats loom, your team responds with precision and confidence, mitigating risks and minimizing damage. This is the true essence of a powerful data breach response plan.
Threats can be relentless and rapidly evolving in their complexity, but with SealPath you’ll be prepared, equipped with an arsenal of cutting-edge tools designed to protect your data against these threats, and easily aligned with the protocols of your data breach response plan.
Contact SealPath here for a personalized consultation and see SealPath in action. Together, we will explore the depths of its capabilities, tailor a data protection strategy to your specific needs, and demonstrate how SealPath operates in the real world.
About Version 2 Digital
Version 2 Digital is one of the most dynamic IT companies in Asia. The company distributes a wide range of IT products across various areas including cyber security, cloud, data protection, end points, infrastructures, system monitoring, storage, networking, business productivity and communication products.
Through an extensive network of channels, point of sales, resellers, and partnership companies, Version 2 offers quality products and services which are highly acclaimed in the market. Its customers cover a wide spectrum which include Global 1000 enterprises, regional listed companies, different vertical industries, public utilities, Government, a vast number of successful SMEs, and consumers in various Asian cities.
About SealPath SealPath is the European leader in Data-Centric Security and Enterprise Digital Rights Management, working with significant companies in more than 25 countries. SealPath has been helping organizations from different business verticals such as Manufacturing, Oil and Gas, Retail, Finance, Health, and Public Administration, to protect their data for over a decade. SealPath’s client portfolio includes organizations within the Fortune 500 and Eurostoxx 50 indices. SealPath facilitates the prevention of costly mistakes, reducing the risk of data leakage, ensuring the security of confidential information, and protecting data assets.
An international jury, headed by Nobel Laureate Emmanuelle Charpentier, has selected the laureates of the prestigious ESET Science Award. In the category of Outstanding Scientist in Slovakia, the laureate is Maria Bielikova, an expert in the field of artificial intelligence and the founder of the Kempelen Institute for Intelligent Technologies. In the category of Outstanding Scientist under 35, the award went to physicist Frantisek Herman, and the award in the category of Outstanding Academic went to Igor Farkas, an expert in artificial intelligence. Oncologist Michal Mego received the most votes from the public in the Public Choice Award with almost 14 thousand people in Slovakia voting this year.
On Thursday, October 10, 2024, the sixth annual ESET Science Award took place, during which the ESET Foundation and main partner, ESET, honored outstanding scientific personalities and educators in Slovakia. The ESET Science Award recognizes those who, through their research and academic activities, not only contribute to the development of their scientific field, but also the results of which have a positive impact on other areas of life and help find solutions to the challenges facing our planet and society.
This year, the Outstanding Scientist in Slovakia award went to Mária Bielikova, an expert in the field of artificial intelligence with a focus on machine learning and solving the problem of information overload in the online space and the founder of the Kempelen Institute of Intelligent Technologies, the first independent research institute in Slovakia, which aims to bring excellent science to companies and link them with the academic sector. In the category of Outstanding Scientist under 35, the award went to František Herman, a talented young scientist who, together with his team at the Department of Experimental Physics at the Faculty of Mathematics, Physics and Informatics at the Comenius University in Bratislava, is researching the theoretical physics of condensed matter. Igor Farkaš, Deputy Head of the Department of Applied Informatics at the Faculty of Mathematics, Physics and Informatics at Comenius University in Bratislava and an expert in the field of artificial intelligence, who specializes in the study of artificial neural network models, was awarded the Outstanding Academic in Slovakia award.
The international jury that selected the laureates in the scientific categories this year, was chaired by Nobel Laureate Emmanuelle Charpentier. The other members of the jury were computer scientist Subhashis Banerjee, material scientist Michael John Reece, nuclear physicist Jürgen Schukraft and oncologist Jan Trka. The final decision on the laureates is the result of a consensus of the jury, which considers dozens of criteria. These include both measurable and qualitative indicators, such as scientific ethics and integrity, the ability to communicate the research and its resonance in the international scientific community. The laureate in the category of Outstanding Academic was decided by a panel of the top representatives of Slovak universities.
Emmanuelle Charpentier presented the award to the laureate in the category of Outstanding Scientist in Slovakia. She said: “Congratulations to all the award recipients, as well as the finalists. Their scientific research brings findings that have a real impact on our world and society. I believe that ESET Science Award not only highlights the importance of scientific work to the public but also inspires others to bravely continue exploring new knowledge that has the power to change the world around us.”
The winner of the Public Choice Award was oncologist Michal Mego, head of II. Oncology Clinic of the Medical Faculty at Comenius University and the National Cancer Institute (NCI). In addition to devoting his working time to patient care and the education of medical professionals, he also gives his time to research. He even founded the Translational Research Unit at NCI, which aims to transfer knowledge from basic research to clinical practice and vice versa. Michal Mego and his research team are particularly interested in breast and testicular cancer. He is also researching the microbiome and probiotic bacteria that could help cancer patients better cope with the side effects of treatment.
Mária Bielikova, Outstanding Scientist in Slovakia Laureate
Prof. Ing. Mária Bielikova works on artificial intelligence and machine learning at the Kempelen Institute of Intelligent Technologies. She founded the institute in 2020 and considers it her biggest success thus far. Her scientific field is young and still changing, and her field of research keeps changing as well. Over the long term, she and her team have been tackling the problem of information overload.
František Herman, Outstanding Scientist in Slovakia Under the Age of 35 Laureate
Mgr. František Herman, PhD., works at the Department of Experimental Physics at the Faculty of Mathematics, Physics and Informatics at Comenius University Bratislava, where he and his students research theoretical condensed matter physics in addition to teaching. At the moment, they are most interested in superconductivity.
Igor Farkaš, Outstanding Academic in Slovakia Laureate
Prof. Ing. Igor Farkaš, Dr., is one of the leading Slovak experts on artificial intelligence. In recent years, he has also been active in its popularization. He is the Associate Department Chair at the Department of Applied Informatics at the Faculty of Mathematics, Physics and Informatics at Comenius University Bratislava. At its Centre of Cognitive Science, he has long been focused on researching artificial neural network models inspired by the human brain.
For more information about the Laureates, please visit https://www.esetscienceaward.sk/en/laureates
For more information about the ESET Science Award, please visit www.esetscienceaward.sk/en
About Version 2 Digital
Version 2 Digital is one of the most dynamic IT companies in Asia. The company distributes a wide range of IT products across various areas including cyber security, cloud, data protection, end points, infrastructures, system monitoring, storage, networking, business productivity and communication products.
Through an extensive network of channels, point of sales, resellers, and partnership companies, Version 2 offers quality products and services which are highly acclaimed in the market. Its customers cover a wide spectrum which include Global 1000 enterprises, regional listed companies, different vertical industries, public utilities, Government, a vast number of successful SMEs, and consumers in various Asian cities.
About ESET For 30 years, ESET® has been developing industry-leading IT security software and services for businesses and consumers worldwide. With solutions ranging from endpoint security to encryption and two-factor authentication, ESET’s high-performing, easy-to-use products give individuals and businesses the peace of mind to enjoy the full potential of their technology. ESET unobtrusively protects and monitors 24/7, updating defenses in real time to keep users safe and businesses running without interruption. Evolving threats require an evolving IT security company. Backed by R&D facilities worldwide, ESET became the first IT security company to earn 100 Virus Bulletin VB100 awards, identifying every single “in-the-wild” malware without interruption since 2003.
Editor’s note: this article is meant to be a helpful guide for Linux administrators and enthusiasts, and does not necessarily imply direct coverage within the JumpCloud Directory Platform. While JumpCloud has a wide array of features that support multiple Linux distributions, we recommend looking at our compatibility matrix to ensure adequate coverage for the distributions you support.
Encryption is considered to be a fundamental aspect of securing data. For Linux users, especially those using popular distributions such as Ubuntu, Debian, RedHat, Fedora, or others, selecting the appropriate encryption tools can significantly impact the security and performance of their system. We will comprehensively analyze existing and mostly used encryption tools available for these distributions so that we can explore features, strengths, and weaknesses.
Before providing different encryption tools, we need to understand the basic concepts of encryption. Encryption is the process of converting data into code to prevent unauthorized access. It is achieved by using algorithms that transform the original information which is in plain text format into an unreadable format or ciphertext. There are multiple approaches to encryption and also the security itself depends on the strength of the algorithm and the secrecy of the key that is used to encrypt and decrypt the data.
Key Types of Encryption
Symmetric Encryption: Uses the same key for both encryption and decryption. This type of encryption includes AES (Advanced Encryption Standard) and DES (Data Encryption Standard)
Asymmetric Encryption: This type utilizes a pair of keys, where a public key is used for encryption and a private key for decryption. Examples are RSA (Rivest-Shamir-Adleman) and ECC (Elliptic Curve Cryptography).
Different Types of Encryption Tools for Linux
Several encryption tools can be used in Linux, and each of these has its unique features and use cases. They also come with pros and cons. We will focus on the following tools:
GnuPG (GPG)
dm-crypt/LUKS
EncFS
eCryptfs
VeraCrypt
GNUPG (GPG)
GnuPG, or GPG is an open-source implementation of the OpenGPG standard. It is mainly used when encrypting files and communications, offering both symmetric and asymmetric encryption. It works across multiple Linux distributions, there is a proper key management where we can generate, sign, or revoke a key. It supports both file encryption and email encryption. The only drawback is that can be challenging for beginners due to the command line interface and also complex key management.
Let’s try to generate a GPG key pair, encrypt a file, and then decrypt it. In this example, we will use the latest Ubuntu 24.04 version.
GPG is already installed on Ubuntu by default, so the next step is to generate a GPG key pair with the following command:
gpg ––full-generate-key
Choose the default setting under number 1, which is RSA and RSA.
Next, select the key size, where the 2048-bit setting is fine but the 4096-bit setting is more secure.
The following prompt will ask us about the key expiration, so we can choose for how long you want the key to be valid. For this example, we can choose 0 for no expiration. To increase the security of your files and information, consider placing proper expiration.
The next prompt is where we can add the real name, email address, and potential comment. These fields are not mandatory and at the bottom of the prompt, you can press O and Enter.
Now we need to enter the passphrase so we can protect our key. Make sure to place complex passwords and combinations of letters (both uppercase and lowercase), numbers, and special characters.
After the process, you will get a similar output:
Now we can first create a sample file and encrypt it with our newly generated GPG key:
echo “This is a secret message” > secret.txt
gpg ––encrypt -r jumpcloud secret.txt
Make sure to change the command according to your user ID.
If we list the directory we will see that a new file has been created with the extension .gpg
Now, we can decrypt our file by running the following command. Also, we will be prompted for the passphrase that we set up earlier.
After the decryption process, we can see that the contents of our file are the same as the one we encrypted.
dm-crypt/LUKS
Dm-crypt and LUKS are often mentioned together because they are complementary components used for disk encryption in Linux. Dm-crypt is a kernel-level disk encryption sub-system which a part of the Linux device mapper, and it can encrypt entire disks or partitions. Since it’s a part of the Linux kernel, this means that it offers highly efficient encryption while supporting various encryption algorithms and key sizes.
LUKS (Linux Unified Key Setup) is a standard for disk encryption and it is primarily designed to simplify the usage of dm-crypt. It provides a standardized on-disk format that ensures proper compatibility while simplifying the process of setting up and managing encrypted partitions. It also supports multiple passphrases, which allows easier key management and recovery.
In this process, when you configure the disk encryption you use tools like “cryptsetup” tool which will initialize LUKS on the partition and manage it. We have articles that cover the entire process of encryption with LUKS.
EncFS
EncFS is an encryption tool where it runs without any kernel-level modifications. This type of encryption will encrypt individual files rather than entire partitions, and it is simple to set up and use for beginners. The drawback is that it is slightly slower than kernel-based encryption methods due to user-space operation. There is also a concern about the strength of its encryption compared to other tools.
If you try to install it on the latest version of Ubuntu, you will receive the following information:
eCryptfs
eCryptfs is a stacked cryptographic file system that allows you to encrypt certain directories. This tool will automatically encrypt and decrypt files as they are accessed. When it comes to integration, they are built into the Linux kernel, which ensures compatibility and performance. It is easy to use and generally, it has good performance due to kernel-level integration. One of the drawbacks is less flexibility regarding encryption options and configurations. There is also limited community support compared to other tools.
We can start by installing the utilities needed for this tool:
sudo apt install ecryptfs-utils
Next, we can create two directories, one for the encrypted data and one for the mount point.
mkdir ~/encrypted_data mkdir ~/decrypted_data
Now, we can mount the “encrypted_data” directory to “decrypted_data” using eCryptfs:
sudo mount -t ecryptfs ~/encrypted_data ~/decrypted_data
We will be prompted to enter our preferred option, in our case we will use the passphrase. So, press 1 and press Enter.
We can also proceed with the default value of aes, select the keysize to 32, and type n for the Plaintext Passthrough option, since in that case files written to the eCryptfs mount point are not automatically encrypted. This can be useful for debugging and testing purposes, but make sure to disable this option in production environments.
In this process, we will also enable filename encryption:
We can now use the “decrypted_data” directory as we would use any directory in our system. The files in this directory will be encrypted and stored in the “encrypted_data” directory.
Next, we can create a file in the decrypted directory.
echo “This is a secret message” > ~/decrypted_data/secret.txt
We can verify that the file is encrypted if we check the contents of our “encrypted_data” directory.
VeraCrypt
VeraCrypt is a popular open-source disk encryption tool that is derived from TrueCrypt. It can offer both full-disk encryption and virtual encrypted disks. It is available for different operating systems such as Linux, MacOS, and Windows. VeraCrypt also supports the creation of hidden volumes for increased security. It comes both with GUI as well as command-line options. Some of the drawbacks are slightly higher overhead when compared to native Linux tools and some advanced features can be complex to configure.
Comparing Encryption Tools Across Linux Distributions
Different Linux distributions (and their communities) may favor one tool over another. The same goes for compatibility, default configurations, and package management. Here is a breakdown of encryption tools for popular distributions.
Ubuntu and other Debian-based distributions
GnuPG: Essential part of the system, used for package signing and more.
dm-crypt/LUKS: Supported with extensive documentation where tools like “cryptsetup” are readily available.
EncFS: It is available in the repositories but due to security issues, it is not the preferred tool to use.
eCryptFS: Commonly used for home directory encryption; it’s not pre-configured and may require a manual setup for Debian.
VeraCrypt: This tool is available for installation through third-party repositories, and the basic setup is relatively easy to use.
Redhat, Fedora, and other RHEL derivatives
GnuPG: Mainly used for securing communications and package signing.
dm-crypt/LUKS: It’s a preferred method of disk encryption and it also has enterprise-level support for RedHat. Cryptsetup is readily available, similar to Debian-based distributions.
EncFS: It is available for installation, however, it is not preferred or recommended for enterprise environments due to security issues.
eCryptFS: Supported, with good documentation and community support. It is less used compared to dm-crypt/LUKS.
Veracrypt: Available through third-party repositories but it’s less commonly used in enterprise environments. It is directly supported by Fedora.
Choosing the Right Encryption Tool
Selecting the right encryption tool for your Linux operating system ultimately depends on your needs and the distribution you are using.
We can recommend dm-crypt/LUKS for full-disk encryption across all distributions. It is a great choice that offers strong security and it doesn’t affect the performance of your system.
When you need to encrypt specific files or directories, tools like GnuPG and eCryptFS provide enough protection as well as flexibility and ease of use. EncFS can be used for testing, but we are not recommending it for production environments. VeraCrypt is also a good choice for users who work across different operating systems and GUI can help with the configuration.
Choosing the exact encryption also depends on the requirements for your use case, security requirements, technical proficiency, and specific demands of your Linux distribution. By understanding the features and capabilities of each tool you can make an informed decision.
Version 2 Digital is one of the most dynamic IT companies in Asia. The company distributes a wide range of IT products across various areas including cyber security, cloud, data protection, end points, infrastructures, system monitoring, storage, networking, business productivity and communication products.
Through an extensive network of channels, point of sales, resellers, and partnership companies, Version 2 offers quality products and services which are highly acclaimed in the market. Its customers cover a wide spectrum which include Global 1000 enterprises, regional listed companies, different vertical industries, public utilities, Government, a vast number of successful SMEs, and consumers in various Asian cities.
About JumpCloud At JumpCloud, our mission is to build a world-class cloud directory. Not just the evolution of Active Directory to the cloud, but a reinvention of how modern IT teams get work done. The JumpCloud Directory Platform is a directory for your users, their IT resources, your fleet of devices, and the secure connections between them with full control, security, and visibility.
