Data breaches are becoming far more common these days. Security Magazine reports that over 22 billion records were exposed in the over 4,000 publicly disclosed data breaches last year. The actual number is likely higher, since many data breaches are never reported.
We have talked extensively about the importance of taking precautions to prevent data breaches. Most of our recommendations have focused on the use of technology such as VPNs to thwart cybercriminals trying to steal data. However, there are a lot of other organizational safeguards to prevent data breaches that get less attention.
One strategy for preventing data breaches is to utilize “separation of duties.” You may have heard of the term “separation of duties” before, but what does it mean, and why is it so crucial for businesses trying to protect their data? In this article, we’ll go over five reasons why separation of duties is essential for any company and provide tips on implementing it successfully.
What Is SoD?
Separation of duties is a security practice that helps to prevent fraud and errors by ensuring that no one individual has too much control over a process. The logic behind SoD is that it is more difficult for one person to complete a task successfully if they are not allowed to perform all of the steps. For example, in a financial transaction, the person who initiates the transaction should not also be the one who approves it.
This might seem like it could lead to an unnecessary bureaucracy, but it can actually help mitigate the risks of a data breach. By ensuring that different people are responsible for various aspects of a process, separation of duties makes it harder for someone to commit fraud or make an error without being detected. Since at least 34% of data breaches are internal, these SoD safeguards can be very important.
In many organizations, separation of duties is accomplished through role-based access controls, which restrict users to only those tasks that are appropriate for their role. For example, a cashier might only be able to initiate transactions, while a manager would be able to approve them. Separation of duties is an important security measure that can help to improve the accuracy and integrity of organizational processes.
The Benefits of Using SoD in the Workplace to Prevent Data Breaches and Fraud
There are many benefits to implementing SoD in the workplace. Here are some reasons these protocols are effective at stopping data breaches and fraud.
Prevent Fraud
Perhaps the most crucial benefit is that it can help to prevent errors and fraud. Ensuring that different people are responsible for various aspects of a process, SoD makes it more difficult for someone to commit fraud or make an error without being detected.
Fraud can play it in many different ways. Employees may deliberately steal and sell data, which places the company at risk. Deliberately conducted data breaches are a huge threat to organizations in the digital age.
Efficiency
Another essential benefit of SoD is that it can help to improve efficiency. When different people are responsible for other tasks, they can specialize in those tasks and become more efficient at them. This can lead to overall improvements in the efficiency of the organization’s processes.
Accountability
SoD can also improve accountability within an organization. When different people are responsible for other parts of a process, it is easier to identify who is responsible for any errors or problems. This can lead to improved accountability and a better understanding of the organization’s processes.
Improved morale
SoD can also lead to improved morale within an organization. When employees feel accountable for their work and that it is essential to the organization, they are more likely to be motivated and have a positive attitude.
Safety
Finally, SoD can help to create a culture of safety in the workplace. By ensuring that no individual has too much control over a process, SoD helps create an environment where people are less likely to take risks that could lead to errors or accidents. One of the biggest risks companies face is compromising their data. SoD can be very effective at preventing this.
How to Start Implementing SoD in Your Business
If you’re interested in implementing SoD in your business, there are a few things you need to do to get started. First, you need to identify the critical processes in your organization that would benefit from SoD. These are typically processes that involve financial transactions or sensitive data. Once you’ve identified these vital processes, you need to determine what tasks need to be separated and who will be responsible for each job.
Next, you must put the necessary controls to ensure adequate separation of duties. This might involve implementing role-based access controls or creating new policies and procedures. Finally, you need to train your employees on the new SoD requirements and make sure they understand how to comply with them.
SoD is Essential for Preventing Data Breaches and Fraud
Implementing SoD can be a bit of a challenge, but it’s well worth the effort. You can’t take the risk of a data breach these days, which SoD protocols can help prevent. By taking these steps, you can help prevent errors and fraud while improving efficiency and accountability within your organization.