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Data security policies and standards: What they are and why they matter

With the rise of phishing attacks and other cyber threats, organizations must be vigilant to protect their data from theft and misuse.
Updated February 24, 2026
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With the rise of phishing attacks and other cyber threats, organizations must be vigilant to protect their data from theft and misuse.

In today's data-driven world, data security is more important than ever. Data is always at risk for attacks and misuse, and lack of security is an increasing threat. With the rise of phishing attacks and other cyber threats, organizations must be vigilant to protect their data from unauthorized access, theft, and misuse.

The following is an excerpt from our newest ebook, “Data Governance: An Executive’s Survival Guide”. You can download the entire guide here.

According to Forbes, in 2019 phishing attacks rose to their highest level since 2016, and the time it took to detect and resolve data breaches also increased that year. This highlights the urgent need for organizations to prioritize data security and take proactive steps to mitigate data security risks. In this blog post, we'll explore data security risks, why they're essential, and how organizations can effectively manage them to protect their data and safeguard their business operations.

Data Governance: An Executive's Survival Guide ebook

Methods for data security

Data security is essential for protecting sensitive data from unauthorized access, theft, and misuse. There are several methods organizations can use to manage data security risks effectively.

One of these methods is data classification, which involves defining data in named classifications or groups based on its name, attributes, or location. By classifying data, organizations can quickly identify and protect specific data that's at risk.

Another data security method is data discovery, which refers to the process used to streamline locating an organization's data. This involves executing search functions for data classes to quickly and easily find sensitive data when needed. By using data discovery, organizations can more effectively manage their data security risks and protect their sensitive data from unauthorized access or theft.

Data de-identification is another vital method of data security. This involves removing identifying information from data to break the link between the data and the initially associated person. Data de-identification is a form of dynamic data masking used to protect sensitive data and prevent unauthorized access. Organizations can effectively manage data security risks and protect their sensitive data from misuse or theft by de-identifying data.

Keeping your data secure

As you can see, data security is a top priority for organizations of all sizes. With the increasing risk of cyber-attacks and data breaches, it's essential to ensure sensitive data is securely encrypted and protected from unauthorized access or theft. Smarty's address data tools are designed with data security in mind, using industry-grade encryption and secure servers to protect your data.

By connecting to Smarty's service using HTTPS, you can take advantage of industry-grade encryption to ensure your data is always protected. Plus, Smarty's fully automated servers ensure no one will see the data you send us, keeping your sensitive information secure and protected. And with Smarty's commitment to private and secure communications on the internet, you can rest assured your data is in good hands.

When choosing a data governance software, it's essential to look for tools that prioritize data security and use methods such as encryption and secure servers to protect sensitive data. Organizations can effectively manage data governance risks and protect their sensitive data from unauthorized access or theft by prioritizing data security.

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Data Governance: An Executive's Survival Guide ebook

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