5 Ways To Protect Your Data With Encryption Services

Data has been the most valuable asset in the digital world we live in today. Protecting it should be the number one priority. Cyber threats and unauthorized attacks have become rampant in this day and age. With so much of our personal and business lives online, data protection needs to be taken seriously. 

To protect the data, we use encryption. This technique protects the data from all kinds of online threats. The encryption protects the data by converting it into an unreadable form that can only be accessed by authorized users with a decryption key.  

Companies can benefit from this by using this on their servers, storage devices, and network connections. 

In this article, we will look at five essential tips to protect your data with encryption services. 

Let’s get started!

1. Use End-to-End Encryption for Communications

One of the weakest areas for data breaches is the communication sent between two parties. It is susceptible to hackers. However, end-to-end encryption ensures that only authorized users can decrypt that message. 

• End-to-end encryption ensures that data is encrypted on the sender’s device and only decrypted on the recipient’s device. This type of encryption is used by many popular messaging apps. 
• Some email services like ProtonMail and Tutanota also provide end-to-end encryption for messages exchanged through their services. 

So, by using end-to-end encryption services, you can protect your data effectively. 

2. Implement Full-Disk Encryption on Devices

Apart from communication, data stored on your physical devices is also vulnerable. For this, full-disk encryption has become the key aspect in case the device is stolen or lost. It ensures that anyone can access the drive only with a valid decryption key. 

• Many modern operating systems offer built-in encryption tools. For example, Windows offers BitLocker and MacOS offers FireVault. 
• Apart from these, you can find encryption software online to protect the data on any external device you want. 

So, even if the drive falls into the wrong hands, your data will be safe. 

3. Utilize Encrypted Cloud Storage Solutions

In the recent past, there has been a shift towards cloud-based file sharing and collaboration has been accelerated rapidly. However, it has also increased new risks of data breaches and theft. 

So, always use an encrypted cloud storage service that protects your files by encrypting them. 

• You don’t need to have encryption knowledge; the encryption provider will take care of everything. 
• End-to-end encrypted sharing will ensure that your files remain encrypted during transfers. 

So, choosing a cloud storage that uses encryption will be beneficial for you as you can use the service without compromising on security. 

4. Apply Database Encryption for Sensitive Information

Databases are a common target for hackers as they have sensitive records of individuals. Encryption can help you secure the database through cryptographic scrambling using encryption keys. 

This should be standard practice for all organizations that store some kind of data in their databases. 

• You can encrypt sensitive data stored in databases to ensure that only authorized users are able to access that. 
• Many industries require specific encryption standards to ensure compliance with regulators. Implementing such standards helps companies to build trust among consumers. 

The encryption of databases can happen behind the scenes without changing how apps or programs work. Some database brands even have built-in options like Transparent Data Encryption (TDE) that handle scrambling and unscrambling. 

5. Employ Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) For Secure Connections

When you are in a different area than your trusted network, always remember to use VPNs. There is always a risk of data being intercepted by bad actors while in transit. Encrypting these transfers would allow you to maintain data confidentiality. 

• Use VPNs to protect your data while in transit. VPNs scramble all communications to internal tools. 
• You should also turn on multifactor authentication (MFA) as another step to access VPNs. 
• You should also use a secure file transfer protocol or Hypertext transfer protocol to encrypt files and web traffic. 

Conclusion

Well, encryption services are a powerful tool to protect data in this world where there is always a threat looming. Whether you want to secure communication channels, protect stored data, or encrypt data transfers, these practices ensure that your sensitive information does not fall into the wrong hands. 

With the help of these five tips, individuals and businesses can protect their data without any interference. 

Hope this article helps you understand the key ways to protect your data with encryption services.

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