| Data protection solutions and reliability issues are top | | | | protocols for their individual ERP components that |
| priorities for any business with mission critical digital | | | | operate under the entire ERP system. For example, |
| information. Security for digital resources comprises | | | | accounting information access would be unique for |
| many elements working in concert, including access | | | | distribution inventory statistics, but both would sit |
| protection, disaster recovery from a catastrophic | | | | behind a shared gateway. This dual level approach |
| loss, and archival services. In other words, reliable | | | | protects IP from outside access and helps segregate |
| data must be safe from both unauthorized access or | | | | data within an organization as well. |
| vandalism and the loss of physical devices, along with | | | | Within Data Itself |
| being readily available to meet business needs. | | | | One possible future direction of data protection |
| Data protection solutions exist at many levels while | | | | services focuses on the integration of security |
| offering business continuity and data management | | | | features within files themselves. Authorization and |
| efficiency. Intellectual property, or IP, protection is a | | | | security mechanisms can be packaged with a file, |
| complementary goal to ensuring business continuity. | | | | adding a level of protection that would remain even if |
| At The Application Level | | | | a file was compromised. For example, some PDF files |
| Security can occur at the application, or program, | | | | come with internal encryption and password |
| level. This level refers to those security services that | | | | challenges that protect its content, even though the |
| are invoked at the interface between applications. | | | | file itself would be otherwise accessible with a simple |
| For example, a program can secure data without an | | | | PDF reader. |
| encrypted password; a security service adds this | | | | File level protection presents an interesting paradigm. |
| data. When the message is accessed by the | | | | Each piece of data acts as a separate safeguard |
| receiving application, another component of the | | | | against unwanted access. Instead of having one |
| service can authenticate the user, allowing security | | | | password that could be compromised to access an |
| protocols to exist within the code of a program. | | | | entire database worth of IP, each file would have its |
| Other examples of data protection services existing | | | | own hurdle. Just trying to open a file to determine if |
| at the application level are confidentiality services and | | | | the data was important would be a monumental task |
| data integrity services. Data can be encrypted by an | | | | in itself. |
| application and then is only decrypted when accessed | | | | Initiatives for Data Protection |
| again by that program to define confidentiality | | | | Data protection services can be focused on more |
| parameters. Transmitted data can be checked by a | | | | than just IP protection. Having access to mission |
| receiving program for modifications to its content to | | | | critical data is a core aspect of business continuity. |
| ensure data integrity. | | | | Therefore, disaster recovery is an integral part of |
| The advantages of this level lie in the diversification | | | | data reliability. |
| of data protection and a certain level of simplicity. IT | | | | Data that exists on a single physical device or on |
| products will have consolidated definitions of security | | | | multiple media that are all located within the same |
| and authorization rules. | | | | building runs the risk of catastrophic loss, whether it |
| The Middleware and IT Level | | | | is from fire, vandalism, or natural disaster. Remote |
| Data protection solutions at this level would look like | | | | backup services can be utilized for collocation to |
| enterprise resource planning (ERP) programs that | | | | safeguard against loss and to facilitate data recovery |
| could act as an umbrella over cross organizational | | | | in order to reduce down time. |
| systems. This umbrella provides a consistent security | | | | Remote services can be accessed through secure |
| definition for each component, even if it is a resource | | | | internet connections and are a perfect supplement to |
| for vastly different department functions, such as | | | | reliability issues. For example, an extended power |
| accounting versus customer relationship management | | | | outage or equipment failure can render the data on a |
| or distribution. Data access procedures would all occur | | | | server unusable for a time. Having a backup that can |
| under this umbrella without movement of information | | | | be available to any laptop with an internet connection |
| outside of the boundaries of the company network | | | | returns data to its users' hands quickly and efficiently. |
| and IT infrastructure. | | | | As data protection solutions continue to grow along |
| This level can definitely be paired with the application | | | | with IT technology, businesses can better rely on the |
| level of data protection solutions, as it provides a | | | | security and reliability of sensitive information and |
| beneficial overlap. Each department can have security | | | | intellectual property. |