The digital age has brought unprecedented opportunities for businesses to innovate and grow. However, this progress comes with significant risks. Cyber threats like ransomware, phishing, and insider attacks are on the rise, targeting businesses of all sizes.
According to IBM’s Cost of a Data Breach report, the global average cost of a data breach reached $4.88 million in 2024. This alarming statistic highlights the need for businesses to implement data protection best practices to safeguard their operations and assets.
The stakes are high, and the challenges are complex, but there is hope. Our S.E.C.U.R.E.™ Framework at OTAVA provides a comprehensive approach to fortifying your data security posture.
Data protection best practices are a set of strategies, tools, and policies designed to protect sensitive information from unauthorized access, corruption, or loss. These practices ensure that data is not only secure but also accessible when needed. They rest on three fundamental pillars:
At OTAVA, we turn these principles into practical solutions. This ties directly into the “U” in our S.E.C.U.R.E.™ Framework: Undo. The idea is to take quick action to isolate and restore infected data so your business can get back to normal without missing a beat.
Cyber threats are real risks that businesses face every day. Knowing what these threats are and how they work is a critical part of protecting your business.
Social engineering is one of the most common tricks attackers use to get past security systems. Instead of hacking into networks, they target people, manipulating them into sharing passwords or other sensitive information.
Phishing is a big part of this. These attacks usually come as fake emails that look like they are from someone you trust, like your bank or IT department. They often ask you to click a link or fill out a form, but the goal is to steal your login details or infect your system.
Ransomware attacks are one of the most damaging cyber threats businesses face today. These attacks work by encrypting critical data, essentially locking businesses out of their own systems. To regain access, attackers demand a ransom, usually in cryptocurrency, leaving organizations in a tough spot—pay the ransom or risk losing their data forever.
According to IBM, organizations with advanced incident response measures in place save an average of $1.49 million per breach compared to those without.
Advanced Persistent Threats, or APTs, are another major concern for businesses. Unlike ransomware, APTs are not about quick gains. Instead, they involve long-term infiltration by highly skilled cybercriminals who aim to steal sensitive data over time. These attackers are patient, often remaining undetected for months—or even years—while they gather valuable information like intellectual property, financial data, or customer records.
Shadow IT involves employees using unapproved software or tools within an organization without the knowledge or authorization of the IT department. Employees often turn to these tools for convenience or efficiency, but they create significant security risks. When these tools are not approved by the IT department, they lack the oversight and protections necessary to keep data secure.
Creating a strong data protection strategy might seem complicated, but breaking it into steps makes it manageable.
The first step is knowing what data your business has, where it is stored, and how sensitive it is. Without this foundation, it is impossible to protect what you do not fully understand. OTAVA’s role-based access control, for example, ensures that only authorized people can access specific data, keeping your most critical information secure.
Backing up your data is essential for recovery in case of a breach. However, backups need to be more than just routine—they must also be tested regularly to ensure they work when it matters most. OTAVA’s immutable backups, powered by Veeam, provide peace of mind.
A single security measure is never enough. Encryption protects data both in transit and at rest, while behavior analytics and anomaly detection add another layer of protection. According to the Verizon Data Breach Investigations Report, 74% of breaches involve human error, showing why combining technical tools with education is crucial.
This aligns with OTAVA’s S.E.C.U.R.E.™ Framework, which helps businesses advance their security posture at their own pace and meets them where they are in their security journey.
Employees are often the easiest targets for attackers, which is why training is critical. Regular phishing simulations and interactive sessions can teach staff how to recognize threats. Research from Stanford and Tessian shows that 88% of breaches happen because of human mistakes, making education one of the most important steps in any strategy.
Even the best defenses can be breached, so having a well-designed incident response plan is a must. At OTAVA, we focus on helping businesses recover quickly with advanced data recovery tools and cloud-based services.
Here is a quick look at the major regulations every business should know.
For healthcare businesses, the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) is critical. This regulation ensures the secure handling of patient information, protecting both their privacy and safety. Failure to comply can lead to significant fines and loss of patient trust.
The Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) is all about safeguarding payment card information. Compliance also helps avoid penalties, which can be especially damaging to small businesses.
The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) is one of the strictest data protection laws in the world. It outlines how businesses must handle personal data, covering everything from collection to deletion. Non-compliance can be costly, as Meta discovered in 2023 when it faced a record-breaking $1.3 billion fine for mishandling user data.
At OTAVA, we help businesses navigate these complex regulations seamlessly. Our solutions meet the highest compliance standards, including ISO 27001, SOC 2, HIPAA, and PCI DSS.
Cloud solutions are changing the game when it comes to data protection. They offer a combination of flexibility, scalability, and robust security that traditional systems cannot match.
Cloud platforms allow businesses to scale up or down as needed, recover data quickly, and maintain strong security. A recent study found that 86% of cloud-mature organizations report a stronger security posture thanks to their cloud strategies.
In a cloud setup, security is a shared responsibility between the provider and the business. OTAVA ensures that businesses understand their role while providing tools to handle backup and recovery, ensuring comprehensive protection.
Our backup solutions for Microsoft 365 safeguard data from accidental deletions, malware, and gaps in retention policies. These features are vital for businesses relying on tools like Teams, SharePoint, and Outlook.
Cyber threats are evolving, but with the right strategies and tools, your business can stay ahead. By implementing data protection best practices, you can safeguard your operations, reduce downtime, and confidently meet regulatory requirements.
At OTAVA, we are committed to helping businesses like yours thrive in a secure environment.
Contact us Data Protection Best Practices today for a security assessment and explore how our tailored solutions can protect your most valuable asset: your data.
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