4.3 Explain the importance of data security

Data security is a matter of protecting the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of data. Data is often more valuable and essential than the hardware and software of an IT environment. So, care must be given to provide proper protection for this mission-critical asset.

Data Loss Prevention (DLP)

Data Loss Prevention (DLP) is the idea of systems specifically implemented to detect and prevent unauthorized access to, use of, or transmission of sensitive information. DLP can include hardware and software elements designed to support this primary goal. DLP may involve the technologies of deep packet inspection, contextual assessment, monitoring authorizations, and centralized management.

Many regulations, such as HIPAA, HITECH, GLBA, Basel II, and PCI-DSS, either directly require DLP solutions or strongly imply the need for DLP.