Secure Your Data

Secure Your Data: Strengthen Protection with Smart Hygiene Practices

Security threats are the biggest barrier to effective data management, according to our State of Data and Analytics report. The good news? Human error accounts for 80% of cybersecurity incidents, meaning basic security hygiene can prevent most breaches.

🔹 Global IT and security leaders agree: The most effective defenses against cyberattacks include multi-factor authentication (MFA), identity and access management (IAM), and data encryption (2023 Global Data Security Trends Report).

Six Security Best Practices to Protect Your Data

1. Encrypt Data to Keep It Private

Encryption converts sensitive information into ciphertext that can only be unlocked with a decryption key. Whether data is in transit or at rest, encryption prevents unauthorized access. Look for solutions that offer end-to-end encryption to safeguard financial transactions, private messages, and customer records.

2. Control Access with Identity & Access Management (IAM)

Only grant employees the minimum access they need to do their jobs (least privilege access). 66% of security leaders trust IAM to restrict who can view, edit, and manage sensitive data—reducing the risk of unauthorized access.

3. Require Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)

MFA strengthens security by requiring two or more credentials to verify user identity. 80% of IT leaders report that MFA is a core part of their security strategy because it significantly reduces unauthorized logins.

4. Invest in Backup & Recovery Solutions

Data loss isn’t just an inconvenience—it can be catastrophic. Yet, only 39% of IT leaders consider backup and recovery a security priority. Ensure all business-critical data—from CRM to cloud storage—is backed up and recoverable to minimize risks.

5. Train Employees on Security Awareness

Your team is your first line of defense. Cyberattacks often exploit human mistakes, making ongoing security training essential. Nearly two-thirds of IT leaders say they are increasing employee security training to boost awareness and adoption of best practices.

6. Strengthen Password Security

Weak passwords remain a leading cause of breaches. Use a secure password manager and enforce these best practices:

✅ Create 16+ character passwords with a mix of letters, numbers, and symbols
✅ Use passphrases with special characters for added complexity
✅ Require multi-factor authentication (MFA) to access password managers

How Humana Strengthened Security & Cut Costs

💡 million saved in security costs
💡 Enhanced patient data protection

“Our ultimate goal is that members see us as a trusted partner who can provide the services they need in a very timely manner.”
— Brian Cahill, Vice President, Pharmacy Segment CIO, Humana

Security Hygiene Checklist

✅ Automate software and security updates to protect against vulnerabilities
✅ Encrypt data during transmission and storage to prevent unauthorized access
✅ Use a secure file-sharing platform with end-to-end encryption
✅ Implement least privilege access to ensure employees only access what they need
✅ Regularly review employee permissions to maintain role-based security

🔒 Proactive security measures don’t just protect data—they build trust and resilience in your organization.