Best Data Security Software & Buyer's Guide

Data is more valuable than gold in the modern day; just as the Wild West saw clever bank robbers making off with bags stuffed with gold bars, there will be digital highwaymen eyeing up your precious data before long.

Stay prepared and stay secure with Data Security Software and find out which software is best for you with my buyer’s guide!

10 Best Data Security Software

Here are some of the software that I’ll specifically cover in this article, with more detail to follow on each of them.

• Metallic: Best for cloud backup and recovery for Microsoft 365.
• OneTrust: Best for privacy management and compliance automation.
• Duo Security: Best for strong two-factor authentication and secure access management solutions.
• Perimeter 81: Best for secure and seamless remote access to corporate networks and cloud resources.
• FortiGate NGFW: Best for network security and threat protection.
• WatchGuard: Best for robust network security and unified threat management across organizations.
• HashiCorp Vault: Best for secrets management and data encryption.
• MetaCompliance: Best for comprehensive and user-friendly cybersecurity and compliance management solutions.
• Proofpoint: Best for advanced email security and protection against sophisticated cyber threats.
• CrowdStrike: Best for advanced threat intelligence and real-time endpoint protection and response.

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Expert Pick

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What Is Data Security Software

Data security software refers to a type of software that helps protect digital information from unauthorized access, theft, corruption, or other security threats. It is used by individuals, organizations, and businesses that handle sensitive or confidential data, such as personal information, financial data, trade secrets, and intellectual property.

Overall, data security software plays a crucial role in protecting data from threats and ensuring the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of digital information.

Types Of Data Security Software

There are different types of data security software that focus on different aspects of data security. Some of the main categories of data security software include:

Encryption Software: This type of software is used to protect sensitive data by encrypting it, making it unreadable without the decryption key. Encryption software is commonly used to protect data in transit, such as emails or messages, as well as data at rest, such as files and databases.

Access Control Software: Access control software is used to manage and restrict access to sensitive data. It allows administrators to set permissions and access controls to ensure that only authorized users can access certain data.

Threat Detection Software: This type of software is used to detect potential security threats and vulnerabilities in the data environment. It can include tools like antivirus software, firewalls, intrusion detection systems, and vulnerability scanners.

Compliance Software: Compliance software is used to ensure that data security measures comply with applicable laws and regulations, such as HIPAA, GDPR, and PCI DSS. It can include tools for monitoring compliance, generating compliance reports, and managing compliance requirements.

Data Backup and Recovery Software: This type of software is used to backup, recover, and handle data loss prevention (DLP) in case of corruption due to security breaches, hardware failures, or other reasons.

Overall, the choice of data security software depends on the specific security needs and requirements of the organization, as well as the type of data that needs to be protected.

How To Choose Which Data Security Software To Buy

Not all data security concerns are created equal – what works for you won’t necessarily be what works for your friend’s company, and vice versa. In order to find out specifically what you’re looking for, consider the following questions.

Which type of buyer are you?

Here are some of the most common “buckets” of Data Security Software buyers. Though there are more and nuance obviously exists within each category, this may help set you on the right path.

Small and Medium-Sized Businesses (SMBs)

SMBs often handle sensitive data, such as customer information, financial data, and intellectual property but may not have the resources to hire dedicated security professionals or implement complex security measures. For them, it’s software to the rescue.

Best fit software products: Avast Business Antivirus and Norton Small Business are good SaaS solutions for SMBs. They offer comprehensive protection against malware, ransomware, and other threats, as well as features such as firewalls, email security, and web protection.

Enterprises

Enterprises typically handle large volumes of data and may have complex security requirements due to industry regulations or compliance standards. They may also have dedicated security teams to manage their on-premise security infrastructure.

Best fit software products: Palo Alto Networks and Cisco Security are top choices for enterprises. These software products offer advanced features such as threat detection and response, intrusion prevention, network segmentation, and access control, as well as integration with other security tools and services.

Healthcare Organizations

Healthcare organizations handle highly sensitive patient data, such as medical records and personal information. They must comply with strict regulatory requirements, such as HIPAA.

Best fit software products: OneTrust and HIPAA One are good options for healthcare organizations. These software products offer comprehensive data privacy management and compliance automation, including features such as risk assessments, data mapping, and incident response.

Financial Institutions

Financial institutions handle highly sensitive financial data, such as bank account information and credit card details. They are subject to strict regulations, such as PCI DSS and GLBA.

Best fit software products: McAfee Total Protection and Symantec Endpoint Protection are well-suited for financial institutions. These software products offer advanced threat protection, encryption, access control, and compliance management features, as well as integration with other financial services software.

Overall, the choice of data security software depends on the specific security needs and requirements of the organization, as well as the type of data that needs to be protected.

Key features to look for

The “types of data security software” list above introduced many of these features and now, it’s time to dive deeper into the necessary features for you to be on watch for.

• Encryption: Encryption serves as a digital fortress, transforming sensitive data into an unreadable format accessible only with the right decryption key. It stands guard over both data at rest, like securely stored files and databases, and data in transit, such as confidential emails and messages. By rendering information indecipherable to unauthorized eyes, encryption becomes the stalwart shield of data security.

• Access Control: Access control takes the helm, empowering organizations to manage and restrict data access with precision. Administrators can establish permissions and access controls, ensuring that only authorized individuals can lay eyes on sensitive information. By standing guard at the gates, access control fends off unauthorized entry, while also fortifying defenses against potential insider threats.

• Threat Detection: The watchful eye of threat detection sweeps across the data landscape, scanning for lurking dangers and vulnerabilities. Equipped with powerful tools like antivirus software, firewalls, intrusion detection systems, and vulnerability scanners, threat detection stands as a sentinel against malware, viruses, and other menacing security hazards. It acts as an early warning system, thwarting potential attacks and keeping digital adversaries at bay.

• Audit Logs: Audit logs become the meticulous chronicler, capturing every data-related interaction in a detailed record. They unveil the who, what, when of data access, use, and modification, creating a trail of accountability. Audit logs play a pivotal role in detecting and investigating security incidents, enabling swift response and remediation. Moreover, they serve as a crucial compliance companion, ensuring adherence to legal and regulatory standards such as HIPAA, GDPR, and PCI DSS. By preserving a transparent history, audit logs bolster trust and safeguard against costly penalties.

• Compliance Management: Compliance management assumes the guardianship of regulatory adherence. It orchestrates the intricate dance of aligning data security measures with the ever-evolving legal landscape. With a keen eye on compliance requirements, such as HIPAA, GDPR, and PCI DSS, it becomes the guiding force, shielding organizations from hefty fines and legal consequences. Compliance management not only safeguards against regulatory breaches but also instills confidence in customers, solidifying trust in data protection practices.

In the realm of data security software, these key features—encryption, access control, threat detection, audit logs, and compliance management—combine forces to fortify the digital realm and ensure the sanctity of sensitive information.

Functionality to look for

Data security software offers several key benefits to organizations:

• Data Protection: Data protection solutions handle data management to safeguard critical data from unauthorized access, modification, or other security risks by using features such as encryption, access controls, and archiving.

• Compliance: Helps organizations comply with legal and regulatory requirements, such as HIPAA, GDPR, and PCI DSS, through features like audit logs, compliance reporting, and policy management.

• Risk Management: Enables organizations to manage risks associated with data breaches and cyber attacks by conducting vulnerability assessments, leveraging threat intelligence, and facilitating incident response planning.

• Improved Productivity: Reduces the risk of security incidents and data breaches, minimizing downtime, data loss, and reputational damage. This allows organizations to focus on core business objectives and operate more efficiently.

• Cost Savings: By preventing security incidents and data breaches, organizations can avoid the financial burdens associated with breach response, remediation, and legal consequences.

These benefits collectively contribute to stronger data protection, regulatory compliance, risk mitigation, enhanced productivity, and financial savings for your organization.

Important purchase considerations

You also need to keep the following considerations in mind when you evaluate your software options:

• Scalability: It is important to choose a data security solution that can scale with your organization’s needs. As your organization grows and your data security requirements change, you want to ensure that your data security software can keep up and remain effective.

• Integration: Data security software should integrate seamlessly with your existing IT infrastructure. It is important to consider whether the software can work with your existing systems and tools without requiring significant changes to your environment.

• User-friendliness: Data security software should be easy to use and manage, even for non-technical staff. The software should have an intuitive interface, clear documentation, and training and support options to ensure that all users can utilize the software effectively.

• Performance: Data security software should not slow down your systems or degrade performance. It is important to test the software’s performance in your environment before making a purchase to ensure that it does not negatively impact your systems.

• Cost: Data security software can be expensive, so it is important to consider the total cost of ownership, including licensing, maintenance, support, and training; however, it’s also important to consider the potential costs of a data breach or security incident and weigh them against the cost of the software.

• Vendor reputation: It is important to choose a reputable provider with a proven track record in the data security space. This can provide added peace of mind that the software is reliable and effective.

• Flexibility: Data security software should be flexible enough to adapt to your specific security needs and requirements. Consider what organizations similar to yours (and some that are a bit bigger) find helpful; ask your service provider if they can do the same.

Other IT & Security Software

• Backend/Database Software
• CMS Software
• IT Management Software

Key Takeaways

Nowadays, data security software is likely essential for your business if you primarily operate online.

Data security software is used to protect sensitive data from unauthorized access, modification, or theft, and it is essential for maintaining compliance with legal and regulatory requirements.

Organizations of all sizes and across all industries can benefit from using data security software.

The most important features of data security software are data protection, compliance, risk management, improved productivity, and cost savings.

When evaluating data security software, it is important to consider your organization’s specific needs and requirements, and choose a solution that is effective, scalable, and cost-efficient while also meeting your specific needs.

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