Cybersecurity experts generally share opinions on best practices to keep your data safe. However, one particular security habit is surprisingly controversial: full-disk encryption. Some experts sing its praises. Others call it unnecessary or a waste of time. Who’s right?
The vast majority of businesses use full-disk encryption to protect their private data, but some don’t think this level of encryption is worth it. Both approaches have their pros and cons. Neither side is necessarily wrong, but before you make the decision for your own business, it’s important to understand all parts of the argument.
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What is Full-Disk Encryption?
Full-disk encryption is the security precaution you take to protect your entire hard drive, including the files, software programs, and operating system. All of the data at rest is converted into unreadable code. This ensures that if your computer is hacked or stolen, it’s easy to keep private data safe. This comprehensive approach to security does offer a high degree of protection, but for companies with relatively small amounts of data, it may just be overkill. Why waste time and money on something you don’t truly need?
Do We Really Need It?
Despite being the most common kind of encryption in use today, full-disk encryption is not entirely a reliable encryption option. Users will notice longer load times and decreased efficiency overall, not to mention higher IT bills. The cost will likely overwhelm any benefits you notice. Besides, in most cases, the only data that truly needs encrypting is truly private data–not the software you use on the device.
Alternative Encryption
Consider a few alternatives that can work better in meeting your specific encryption needs than using full-disk encryption. For instance, you can use filesystem-level encryption, which encrypts only some directories and excludes others that you don’t need encrypted. File-based encryption can also encrypt an entire filesystem, which means it will protect everything saved in it. You can simply choose what needs extra protection and the program will act accordingly.
Additionally, consider how data sharing will work in both scenarios. For full-disk encryption, a user needs to show their credentials before doing anything on the computer. This can make opening a document as complicated as handling sensitive client data. There’s really no need for this. Taking a file-based approach allows you to decrypt individual files as needed for a user, rather than locking them out of the entire system at the end of the workday.
Keeping Data Encryption Simple
Opting for a less complicated approach to data security could make a significant difference in your everyday work. Save yourself some money, time, and effort with a security system designed specifically for your business’s needs.
Contact us to get started keeping your business data safe.
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