Why Device Encryption Is Crucial for Businesses

Published On March 07, 2018

Keeping corporate data secure is of the utmost importance for businesses from all industries. It’s increasingly crucial now that employees operate from multiple devices.

Gone are the days when desktop computers were the primary source for employees to access corporate information. Companies now provide workers with smartphones, tablets, laptops and other mobile devices. While having multiple devices readily available has several benefits, it also means that additional security measures are necessary in order to protect valuable corporate data.

Device encryption has always been a vital component of data security — but now that multiple devices are being utilized, it’s more vital than ever. According to the Thales 2017 Global Encryption Trends Study, only 41% of enterprises have a consistent encryption strategy. Given the almost inevitable nature of data breaches these days, all devices within an organization should be firmly encrypted.

As explained by Upwork, encryption is the technical procedure during which data is protected from unauthorized entities. Data is recoded into algorithms and translated into a secret code with scrambled text, making it virtually impossible to interpret. A secure code or password is created for authorized individuals to decrypt the information, making it readable.

This is perhaps the most important security method. Corporate data is extremely sensitive, and if it lands in the wrong hands, disaster could potentially ensue. The hacking and selling of company records is a lucrative method for those attempting to make an illegal profit.

In addition to device encryption, email encryption is also vital. Email is still a primary source of communication between professionals. When an email is sent internally or externally, proper end-to-end encryption of the message secures the inner contents, all attached files and the metadata relating to the email. Information sent in a business email is often sensitive, and if not properly encrypted, it can be vulnerable. A common type of email encryption is Public Key Infrastructure (PKI). PKI handles both key distribution and validation, Forsythe Focus notes.

Many industries regulate stringent security measures, which include encryption. This is especially the case in the healthcare, education and retail industries, given the sensitive, personal nature of the associated information and data.

Developing an efficient device encryption plan requires a collaborative effort. Approach it as a crucial initiative that involves constituents of management, IT and operations. Identifying laws, mandates and external influences plays a huge role in deciding the encryption procedure that’s best suited for your organization.

A written policy should be created, implemented and heavily endorsed by management and top-level executives. Once it’s communicated to third-party end-users, and they fail to follow these policies, they will no longer be authorized to access the encrypted data. This will help the organization avoid any security compliance violations.

No matter your industry, data encryption is a key strategy when it comes to protecting your organization.