For most organizations, data is the most valuable asset and, at the same time, one of the most attractive targets for attackers. Protecting customer data, trade secrets and employee information effectively secures ongoing operations and preserves the trust of customers, partners and regulators.

Key Takeaways
Data security covers all technical and organizational measures that protect data from loss, manipulation and unauthorized access, no matter where the data is stored or how it is processed. Unlike data protection law, which governs who may process which data, data security ensures that the data itself stays technically protected. Continuous vulnerability management with OPENVAS closes one of the most common entry points for data loss.
Key benefits include:
  • Protection against data loss, manipulation and unauthorized access
  • Demonstrable compliance with GDPR, NIS2 and ISO 27001
  • Less downtime and faster recovery when an incident occurs

What Is Data Security?

Data security is the protection of data against loss, manipulation and unauthorized access, regardless of the system it is stored in or the location where it is processed. The focus is on the confidentiality, integrity and availability of the data itself, not of the systems that handle it.

Data security is often confused with data protection law, but the two mean different things: data protection law governs, from a legal standpoint, who may process which personal data and for what purpose, while data security ensures the technical implementation of that protection. The two are closely linked, since data protection cannot be guaranteed without technical security. The technical foundation is covered on the page IT Security & Information Security.

Building Blocks of an Effective Data Security Strategy

Effective data security comes from technology and organization working together. Both levels need to interlock so that data stays protected end to end:

Technical Measures

  • Encryption of data at rest and in transit
  • Regular, tested backups following the 3-2-1 rule
  • Role-based access controls based on least privilege
  • Continuous vulnerability management with OPENVAS

Organizational Measures

  • Classifying data by protection needs
  • Clear policies for storage, use and deletion
  • Training on handling sensitive data
  • Deletion concepts based on statutory retention periods

On top of that, Data Loss Prevention (DLP) makes sure sensitive data doesn’t leave the organization uncontrolled, for example through email attachments or USB drives.

Data Security by the Numbers

Recent studies show just how high the financial risk of inadequate data security has become:

USD 4.44 million

average global cost of a data breach in 2025 according to IBM, a 9% drop from the prior year driven by faster detection

241 days

average time to identify and contain a data breach according to IBM (2025), the lowest figure in nine years

60%

of the incidents analyzed involved a human element, such as human error or social engineering, according to the Verizon Data Breach Investigations Report (2025)

Sources: IBM Cost of a Data Breach Report (2025); Verizon Data Breach Investigations Report (2025).

The Biggest Risks to Your Data

An overview of the most common causes of data loss and data breaches:

Ransomware & Data Encryption

Attackers encrypt company data and demand a ransom for its release. Without current backups, organizations risk permanent data loss and operational shutdown.

Misconfigured Cloud Storage

Openly accessible databases or wrongly set permissions in cloud services are among the most common causes of large-scale data leaks.

Insider Threats

Not just malicious insiders but careless staff cause data loss too, for example through misdirected emails or unsecured devices.

Unpatched Vulnerabilities

Known but unpatched security gaps in systems and applications remain a leading path for attackers to reach sensitive data.

Lost or Stolen Devices

Unencrypted laptops, smartphones or USB drives put data directly into the wrong hands the moment they are lost or stolen.

Credential Theft & Phishing

Stolen credentials give attackers direct access to databases and cloud accounts, often without being noticed right away.

Who Is Responsible for Data Security in a Business?

Data security only works when every level of the organization pulls in the same direction:

Executive Leadership

Data security is a leadership issue: executives carry overall responsibility, allocate budget and anchor security goals in the company’s strategy.

IT Department

IT implements technical measures such as encryption, backups and vulnerability management, and monitors how well they perform day to day.

Employees

Everyone in the organization contributes to data security through careful handling of data and access, since most incidents trace back to human behavior.

Data Security, Data Protection and IT Security Compared

The three terms are closely related but differ in focus and objective:

Area Focus Legal/Technical Basis Typical Measures
Data Protection Who may process which data GDPR Consent, records of processing, data subject rights
Data Security Protecting the data itself Technical implementation Encryption, backups, access controls
IT Security Protecting technical systems ISO 27001, BSI IT-Grundschutz Patch management, network segmentation, OPENVAS scans

For more on the technical foundation, see the page IT Security & Information Security.

How Data Security Is Evolving

Zero Trust as the Default

Instead of trusting network boundaries, every access to data is checked and authorized individually, regardless of where the user is located.

AI on Both Sides of the Fight

Attackers use AI to personalize phishing, while defenders use AI to spot unusual access to data faster.

Automated Data Classification

Tools automatically sort large volumes of data by protection needs, making targeted safeguards possible instead of blanket rules.

Data Security with Greenbone

Many data breaches start with an unpatched vulnerability. OPENVAS finds these vulnerabilities automatically, rates their criticality and delivers concrete next steps before attackers can exploit them.

Follow a manual added link
Automated vulnerability management for medium and large organizations, with continuous scanning and CVSS-based prioritization.
Vulnerability management for small businesses and single sites, ready to run in minutes and free to try for 14 days.

More about vulnerability management

Data Security Checklist

A first, concrete road map for reviewing your data security:

  • Classify data by protection needs
  • Set up encryption for data at rest and in transit
  • Test backups following the 3-2-1 rule and check them regularly
  • Grant access rights according to the principle of least privilege
  • Document deletion concepts for personal data
  • Set up an OPENVAS scan for continuous vulnerability management
  • Train employees regularly on handling sensitive data

Frequently Asked Questions About Data Security

Data security covers all technical measures that protect data from loss, manipulation and unauthorized access, regardless of where it is stored or which system is used.

Data protection law governs, legally, who may process which personal data. Data security ensures the technical implementation of that protection, for example through encryption and access controls.

Personal data, financial information, trade secrets and credentials deserve the strongest protection, since losing them carries legal, financial and reputational consequences.

Encrypted data stays unreadable to unauthorized parties even after a successful attack, as long as the keys remain protected. This applies to both stored and transmitted data.

Only current, tested backups let you reliably restore data after a ransomware attack or technical failure, without paying a ransom.

Many data breaches start with an unpatched vulnerability. Continuous vulnerability management with OPENVAS closes these entry points before they can be exploited.

Regulations such as GDPR, NIS2 and ISO 27001 all require appropriate technical and organizational measures to protect data, even though each sets different priorities.

Vulnerabilities and access rights should be reviewed continuously rather than once, since new security gaps appear daily and access needs keep changing.

How Well Protected Is Your Data Today?

Let’s assess together where your data security stands today and which measures would have the biggest impact.