Summary: Cyberthreats are increasing rapidly, making secure software storage essential. Software-defined storage (SDS) and robust security practices like encryption and multi-factor authentication can protect businesses from threats like ransomware and data breaches.
Cyberattacks are becoming more nuanced and frequent by the day. As a result, it has never been more important to safeguard your data from threats.
If you utilize mission-critical software in your business’s daily operations, can you ensure its security?
Inadequate software storage can compromise your business continuity and create a substantial financial burden on your organization. Even good faith tools such as data storage software, document storing software, and password storing software can create security vulnerabilities. You must put the appropriate security features in place to defend your software from today’s most common threats.
Software storage, or Software-defined Storage (SDS), can help. In this guide, we’ll explore this contemporary data management approach. We’ll also share the latest statistics on the cyber threats that make this comprehensive approach necessary. Continue reading to take a proactive stance against threats to your mission-critical software solutions.
The Role of Software Storage in Data Security
Software storage uses digital tools to store, manage, and access information. It can store everything from images and documents to complex datasets and applications.
The best software storage solutions are scalable and secure against potential threats. They pair advanced security technology with basic best practices to keep your private data safe.
Software storage secures data using the following best practices:
- Access control and permissions management
- Data encryption
- Automated backup solutions
- Two-factor or multi-factor authentication
- Data integrity scans
- Auditing, logging, and access and activity tracking
- Data lifecycle management
Software-designed Storage (SDS) is a newer approach to data security. Essentially, it decouples the software’s storage functions from its physical hardware. Thus, organizations can easily expand their storage capabilities without constantly adding more hardware. It adds an element of freedom and versatility for businesses with complex storage needs.
SDS makes it easier for administrators to manage security across an organization’s entire storage infrastructure. These solutions can implement the above security protocols regardless of the software’s physical location.
Whatever your solution, advanced data storage software with encryption and access controls is a best practice. It’s a crucial, proactive step in the fight against cyber threats.
Statistics on Cyberthreats: Why Software Storage Matters
Statistics on Ransomware
According to the Gen Threat Report from Avast, there has been a 100% increase in ransomware attacks in Q2 of 2024.
This malware encrypts an organization’s critical data to prevent access. They hold the encryption key for ransom, demanding a high sum, often in cryptocurrency, for its release. There may be extortion involved, with hackers threatening to release information if the ransom is not paid.
The nature of your organization does not protect your data from such attacks. Healthcare organizations, storing some of the most sensitive data, are frequent victims.
According to a DNI report, such attacks in the healthcare sector have nearly doubled since 2022. The stakes are high in this industry. When procedures are delayed as a result of such attacks, it can result in patient deaths.
According to a report from Mandiant, organizations paid over $1 billion in funds to hackers in 2023. With that said, not all organizations disclose ransomware attacks, so this figure may, in fact, be higher than reported. This does not include funds for remediation following a breach.
Statistics on the Cost of Data Breaches
According to IBM’s 2024 Cost of a Data Breach Report, the average cost of a data breach in the United States is $4.88 million. This is the highest total in history and represents a 10% increase over the past year.
IBM also reports that 40% of breaches were due to data security gaps, costing organizations an average of $5 million. The highest average breach costs were seen in the following industries:
- Healthcare
- Financial services
- Industrial
- Technology
- Energy
Only 12% of organizations who reported breaches were able to fully recover, according to Newswire. Those that did reported an average timeframe of 100 days. That’s nearly 27% of the fiscal year. This disruption also costs organizations money.
Many organizations had to pass these costs onto consumers by increasing their prices.
Statistics on Breaches and Stolen Passwords
According to the password-storing software LastPass, 83% of breaches in 2022 were due to poor password management. These were mostly related to phishing schemes. In such cases, individuals relinquished password data or login credentials to scammers purporting to be from a reputable source.
The key to preventing password-related breaches is to follow best practices in password management. These include:
- Two-factor or multifactor authentication
- Regular password changes
- Password complexity requirements
- Log-in activity monitoring
- Use of deployable, organization-wide password management tools
BitWarden found that only 30% of internet users utilize password-storing software to securely manage their login credentials. According to the SANS Institute, 38% of organizations do not use such software. Most cite inconvenience as the reason for foregoing this added layer of security.
Securing Your Software Solutions
Adequate software storage solutions solve or mitigate many of the biggest problems in data security. With that said, these solutions are not impenetrable. Data security experts advise organizations to put plans in place to mitigate costly disasters.
Secure, off-site data storage is one solution. Software escrow can create an accessible, deployable, secure backup of your mission-critical data and software. The programs you need to maintain operations will be available in the event of a breach or adverse event. That can significantly reduce financial losses following a cyberattack.
Learn more about software escrow and secure your most critical software solutions today.