I’m sure you’ve heard the saying, “stolen fruit is the sweetest.” It’s a phrase that gets thrown around lightly, but it’s time to take it to heart. In a day when information and sensitive data are being stolen, manipulated, and blasted for the world to read, this is a saying we all need to look at twice. Hackers, inside security leakers, and thieves all agree: that which is stolen is the sweetest. You don’t want to find out how sweet the information in your enterprise will be to them. Steps should to be taken to secure the sensitive information and data in enterprises across the world.
Who are these people stealing the “fruit?” I think you can probably guess- hackers, thieves, and those abusing administrator rights. These are the people enterprises must protect against. According to a study performed by the Professional Association for SQL Server (PASS), 44% of database security challenges come in the form of inside hackers and the abuse of privileges. Outside hackers and thieves do present a threat to the integrity of our databases and the information therein, but our attention should first be turned to those already in our organizations. Often these individuals have too much access to information they simply do not need. And why do they steal this data? Because your data is truly sweet to them- they see a huge payday without the hard, bitter work. If you think this doesn’t apply to you, or that none of your employees are capable of such atrocity, let me turn your attention to the Goldman Sachs debacle. I bet they thought their enterprise wasn’t in danger either- yet look at what transpired. How much will the “sweetest fruit” cost your company?
If you are concerned about the security of your enterprise (you should be if you haven’t already taken measures to keep your sensitive information safe), it’s time to implement a privilege management policy and become compliant with government mandates. It’s the only way to prevent the fruits of your company from becoming sweet and stolen. Don’t let your employees assign a price to the sweet information in your enterprise. Set up a protocol that allows users just the right amount of access to information.
