Core Strategies to Protect Sensitive Data

In 2024 alone, over 422 million records were exposed through data breaches across industries ranging from healthcare to finance. Many of these incidents could have been prevented with better security practices. For business leaders, IT managers, and security professionals, the ability to protect sensitive data has become not only a regulatory obligation but also a strategic necessity.

This guide explores what sensitive data is, why it must be protected, the biggest threats organizations face, and the best strategies to defend against cybercriminals.

What Does It Mean to Protect Sensitive Data?

Sensitive data includes any information that, if exposed, could harm individuals or organizations. This typically falls into four categories:

• Personally Identifiable Information (PII): Names, Social Security numbers, addresses.

• Protected Health Information (PHI): Medical records, test results.

• Financial Data: Bank accounts, credit card numbers, tax records.

• Intellectual Property: Trade secrets, patents, and confidential business plans.

To protect sensitive data means implementing ...