7 common Big Data security issues
Big Data consists of sets of data that are too large, complex or numerous to be dealt with by traditional data-processing software. It is commonly described as the four Vs: Volume, Velocity, Veracity and Variety.
Big Data Security
These days, there are quite literally billions of devices from which we can collect data. As companies from all corners of the world make the step towards cloud computing and create their own digital transformation strategies, they are able to study Big Data that is available from the enormous number of IP-equipped endpoints in existence to identify the hidden trends within. This can benefit companies by allowing them to improve aspects of their business, such as customer satisfaction, swifter service delivery and higher revenues.
Digital threats such as malware pose a very real risk to companies seeking to protect their information. These threats can be devastating to an organisation and cause irreparable harm.
Many of the tools associated with smart analytics and Big Data are open source and not necessarily created with security as the number one concern, which poses big problems. Software security is extremely important and many companies who have made the digital leap are now reaching out to consultants to stiffen up their defences in anticipation of these very real risks.
7 Big Data security risks
1. Data storage
Cloud data storage comes with risks and security issues that need to be carefully considered. Making any type of mistake when it comes to storing data in the appropriate location can be absolutely critical for companies, so this is an issue that needs to be looked at very carefully to avoid the data being taken.
Although cloud data storage can increase the speed and performance of a company’s systems, without a cyber security expert, there is a risk of threats. Therefore, not all data should be stored in the cloud. A multi-layered approach involves storing normal, everyday data safely in the cloud, but keeping the most sensitive, ‘hot’ data away from the cloud on isolated infrastructure such as flash media. However, this does come with the cost of slower systems and processes.
2. Data management
Security breaches can be devastating to an organisation and have enormous consequences as they leave them vulnerable and compromised. It is absolutely critical, therefore, that businesses maintain highly secured databases so that they can ensure the security of their data as much as possible.
Such practices could involve using data encryption, implementing a secure on-site server, data segmentation and so on. It is also important that businesses make use of tools which monitor data sharing and notify them when any data has been compromised.
3. Data access control
Controlling data access can be very tricky with Big Data. This is because one of the biggest components involved in creating functional Big Data environments is granular access control, which involves granting different users individual levels of access to the database and its information.
As companies utilise larger and larger data sets, this granular access can actually become very complex when huge numbers of people have different levels of access to the systems. When there is just a small team of staff, it is easy to keep track of who has access to what information. However, as this grows, companies open themselves to greater risks of information theft or leaks, with reduced visibility of who is responsible.
In addition, this granular access can limit key people from getting the full set of data they require to do their task properly, and can slow down efficiency significantly.
4. Fake data
If cybercriminals gain access to your database, they are able to create ‘fake data’ and store it within your system. This poses a big threat to businesses as it causes them to waste precious time and resources identifying and eliminating this fake data that could be better spent on other areas of their business.
Many organisations try to avoid this issue by relying on real-time data analytics or the IoT (Internet of Things) which help them to limit access to fake information and to alert them of its presence using machine learning models which are designed to identify anomalies in their data.
5. Data privacy
Keeping data private in the modern digital word can be really difficult. Personal and sensitive information needs to be rigorously safeguarded from cyberattacks, data loss (be it intentional or otherwise) and breaches. In order to combat this, organisations must follow strict data privacy processes in conjunction with cybersecurity tools.
It is crucial that they protect their systems as best they can against unauthorised access by carrying out frequent risk assessments and training key staff members on the importance and practicalities of data privacy and security.
6. Distributed framework vulnerabilities
In order to get full utilisation of Big Data, companies need to distribute their data analytics across multiple systems. This helps companies to analyse Big Data on many systems simultaneously. This offers huge benefits as it results in faster analysis, but opens them up to greater risks due to the distributed frameworks. It also harms organisations as it takes them a lot longer to identify security breaches when they happen.
The CTO of Virsec, Satya Gutpa, stated:
There continues to be a temporal disconnect between the time frame for attacks versus response… Attack chains act within minutes while the time to discovery is more likely to be months. This gap must be tightened and security tools need to focus on real-time attack detection if we are to have any chance to curtail these breaches.Satya GutpaThe CTO of Virsec
7. Real-time security compliance
Real-time Big Data analytics tools have found their way into widespread usage in recent times and can be a powerful tool for a business to have, as they can create a huge amount of information that can be used to improve many systems and processes. However, with this benefit comes the risk of opening up the company to greater security threats due to the volume of data involved.
If used well, they are extremely powerful appliances, but if not set up correctly, they leave themselves prone to abuse.
Summary
As we can see from the seven common Big Data security issues above, enterprises are right to take these potential problems very seriously indeed. The digital transformation is in full swing and nothing can change that, but it comes with a fresh set of security challenges that need to be overcome.
Luckily, there are plenty of methods and tools around to help companies combat these issues, with more and more being developed as time goes on.
With the right tools, information and expertise, all these challenges brought up through Big Data usage and analysis can be dealt with effectively.
When these threats are brought under control, enterprises can finally use Big Data to help them thrive and really reach their potential for harnessing data to propel their companies to areas they could only dream of before!
