How to build a resilient data security strategy
Blog|by Leanne Bevan|15 October 2025
Data is the lifeblood of business. So, it’s constantly at high-risk of being lost or stolen. From ransomware attacks to insider threats, you face mounting pressure to protect sensitive information. This blog explores four pillars of data security – encryption, data loss prevention, identity access management, and data erasure – and how they work together to safeguard your digital assets.
Encryption: Locking down your data
Encryption transforms readable data into coded formats, making it inaccessible without the correct key. It’s a frontline defence against unauthorised access – whether data is at rest (laptops, smartphones or tablets) or in transit (web, VPNs or email attachments).
Use encryption to secure online transactions like e-commerce payments and banking, protect personal data on devices and in cloud storage, and safeguard digital communications through secure messaging and VPNs. Encryption’s also critical for industries like healthcare and government to protect sensitive information.
According to IBM’s 2024 Cost of a Data Breach Report, breaches involving encrypted data cost $220,000 less on average than those without encryption.
Encryption is also required for regulations like HIPAA for the healthcare industry and PCI DSS standards for financial institutions.
Data Loss Prevention (DLP): Keeping your sensitive data in-house
DLP tools monitor and control data movement to prevent leaks – whether accidental or malicious. They’re essential for compliance and protecting intellectual property.
A 2025 Gartner report found that 90% of organisations using DLP saw a 60% reduction in accidental data exposure.
Identity Access Management (IAM): Who gets in and why
IAM ensures that only your authorised users can access specific systems and data. It’s about verifying identity and managing your permissions effectively.
Microsoft reports that 99.9% of account compromise attacks can be prevented with multi-factor authentication (MFA).
Data Erasure: When deletion isn’t enough
Deleting files doesn’t mean they’re gone. Secure data erasure ensures that information is permanently removed and unrecoverable – critical for compliance with regulations like GDPR.
Blancco’s 2025 State of Data Santisation report found that around a quarter of certain devices were refurbished for resale or donation without certified erasure – a major compliance and security gap that needs to be fixed. However, the report also found that 96% of organisations now have or are creating data sanitisation policies. This shows organisations are starting to become more aware of the importance of data security, especially when it comes to data erasure.
Build your resilient data security strategy
Data security isn’t a one-time fix – it’s an ongoing commitment. By investing in encryption, DLP, IAM, and secure erasure, you can protect your reputation, maintain trust with your clients, and stay ahead of evolving threats. These tools also help you achieve compliance with many security frameworks.
Whether you’re just starting your security journey or looking to optimise existing systems, our cyber security team and vendor partnerships with the likes of Blancco, Mimecast, and Microsoft offer tailored solutions to meet your needs. Book a free seven layers of security assessment now or contact us via the form below.
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