How to ensure secure data processing

In the data lifecycle, processing is where all captured data is blended, standardized, and analyzed to deliver meaningful business insight to decision-makers. This makes processing the dynamo of data operations, with all of the architecture built around delivering inputs to and distributing outputs from the data processing function. This is an enormous undertaking that can involve millions of IoT sensors, thousands of separate producers, distributors, and utilities, and stakeholders such as government and consumer bodies.

Since so much of data functioning is geared toward processing, it’s also the location of many of the obstacles and friction points that slow down and add cost to data operations. One of the biggest challenges across the entire data lifecycle, and especially data processing, is security. Data operations have become heavily regulated over recent years, which introduces significant considerations and threats around data security, such as:

• Maintaining compliant architecture and protocols
• Preventing data theft or leakage
• Improper access controls that elevate the danger of account takeover
• Loss of consumer trust and goodwill
• Assuming risk from collaborators and third-parties
• The build-up of inefficiencies and limitations on data usage

Understandably, organizations that wish to maximize the value from their data, maintain regulatory compliance, and reduce risk need solutions to ensure secure data processing. Fortunately, there is technology that not only improves security but also increases insight velocity and DataOps ROI.

How to secure data processing 

The core technology that enables fully compliant and secure data processing across huge, dispersed networks is data virtualization. Data virtualization creates a virtual copy of data, which can then be brought together for secure data processing following whatever business rules apply. This creates an interoperable layer where analytics can be performed on custom datasets no matter where the data is actually stored, removing the necessity for slow and costly data migrations.

Integrating a data virtualization platform into your current data architecture doesn’t require any changes to data storage functions, whether cloud, on-premises, or hybrid. The virtualized data layer enables secure data processing by giving administrators comprehensive data governance and access control, down to row and column level. This greatly reduces the chance of data breaches or leaks, even in multi-collaborator environments. A virtualized data platform also creates a metadata repository to allow for better management and oversight of data structures and forensic access auditing, if necessary.

Essentially, data virtualization creates a virtual data warehouse where secure data processing can be performed ad hoc on any data wherever it is stored. When data is brought together for querying, all operations take place inside secure containers, further reducing the opportunities for breaches or leaks. Deploying a data virtualization platform allows organizations to maximize their data function’s ROI and securely engage with others while maintaining compliance.

Secure data processing: Delivering on data’s potential

Enabling secure data processing for your organization isn’t just advantageous in terms of protecting data – it also delivers a number of benefits that affect the speed, cost, and potential of your data operations. Here are just a few of them: 

More data sharing

A major brake on collaboration and data sharing is the introduction of risk from potential collaborators and third-party analysis firms. Even the federal government has advised companies to adopt a Zero Trust environment when working with others, highlighting the risks involved. Secure data processing, powered by data virtualization, allows companies to combine their data with external parties to deliver more effective business insight, all without increasing their risk levels.

Quicker data processing and implementation

Secure data processing, enabled by a data virtualization platform, eliminates the need for data migrations or lengthy ETL processes which ultimately improves DataOps agility. Data virtualization also has a much shorter implementation period than designing and building a physical DataOps infrastructure, which means a quicker time-to-market for your secure data processing function.  

Ensuring regulatory compliance

Compliance with data safety and consent regulations, such as GDPR and CCPA, is not just about avoiding fines, though they themselves can be significant. Public tenders and an increasing number of contracts oblige firms to ensure regulatory compliance relevant to the home territory or potential market involved. This means that compliance ensured by secure data processing is fast becoming an essential feature of a firm’s capacity to do business both locally and overseas.

Greater access control

Having complete control over how data is used and by who is critical for maintaining consent management and preventing small data breaches or leaks from turning into much larger ones. Data virtualization creates a trusted, containerized environment where secure data processing can take place. This allows data administrators to apply strict rules on access down to a granular level, forming the basis for a comprehensive data governance policy that can actually be enforced.

Better customer relationships 

Depending on the territory in which you do business, your customers may be more or less concerned with how their data is being collected and used and the security of the organizations that hold it. Nevertheless, delivering better service is always a positive for customer relationships while the reputational boost from being transparent about data usage and security presents a trustworthy corporate image.

Keep your data secure with Intertrust Platform

The true value of data and the speed at which it can be exploited is being held back by security concerns and regulatory obligations. However, data virtualization can ensure secure data processing that is not only safe and compliant but also delivers a range of other benefits to improve your DataOps ROI.

To find out more about how Intertrust Platform helps organizations across the world to secure their data processing and maximize the breadth and value of their assets, you can read more here or talk to our team.