Steven Close, CISO, CData, joins Neha Pradhan Kulkarni to discuss how businesses can view data security with data connectivity. Steven discusses why managing and maintaining data across multiple locations presents a huge challenge for businesses and shares tips to overcome them.
In this edition of Tech Talk, Steven shares how cloud leaders can realize the benefits of cost savings and reduce the complexity of data connectivity. He also talks about how data connectivity can help prevent data breaches and secure cloud environments.
Key Takeaways on Why Data Security Matters in Data Connectivity:
- Embrace modern data solutions that democratize information.
- Leverage pre-built connectivity solutions to lay off maintenance burden.
- Keep better track of data in one location with a data connectivity approachÂ
Here are the edited excerpts from our exclusive interview with Steven Close, CISO, CData:
Toolbox: Tell us about your role at CData and what are the key areas you have been addressing since you joined the company?
Steven: I recently joined CData as the chief information security officer (CISO). My responsibility is to establish enterprise strategy and manage a program that will ensure our information assets and technologies are secure and protected for our customers. One of our top initiatives is to have CData’s security program validated by a third-party auditor and achieve SOC 2 Type I and Type II compliance certifications.
Toolbox: CData specializes in data access and connectivity solutions. Can you tell us how businesses can view data security with data connectivity? In what ways can users and applications connect with data securely?Â
Steven: CData’s mission is to simplify the way people and organizations work with their data – and do so with confidence that it remains secure and protected.Â
“Our real-time data connectivity solutions are built with granular user-level permissions and security controls.â€
In addition, data is not stored in our platform – we simply transport data between systems and applications to give users access to their live data straight from the source.​ This reduces data governance complexity and eliminates the risk of security breaches that can result from data stored across multiple locations.
See More: Data Clean Rooms: A Secret Weapon Against Data Breaches and Data Security Vulnerabilities
Toolbox: Managing and maintaining data across multiple locations presents a huge challenge for businesses. In your view, which top tactics can help organizations to keep better track of their data in one location?Â
Steven: Siloed data creates multiple challenges across the organization. Often enterprise data is heavily restricted, blocked behind complex APIs, or generally inaccessible to the business users who need it most. To realize the full value of their data, organizations should embrace modern data solutions that democratize information and empower business and knowledge workers. There is no one-size fits all approach; multiple methods can help organizations achieve their data goals.
“Modern data integration tools allow you to consolidate your data across hundreds of data sources – on-premises or in the cloud – into a database of your choice.â€
However, if you’re looking for an alternative to moving data into a database, we have recently developed a new service that allows users to manage all their data connections in the cloud.Â
Data Connectivity as a Service (DCaaS) is a real-time connectivity solution that acts as a cloud-based hub to manage connections between all your data sources, so you can work with consolidated data within your favorite applications and systems without having to build ETL pipelines or store copies of your data.
See More: Hybrid Cloud Adoption: 7 Ways To Overcome Data Security Challenges in the Cloud
Toolbox: Leaders are looking to either build or buy their way into better data connectivity. How can they realize the benefits of cost savings while reducing the complexity and expense of data connectivity?
Steven: Ultimately, business users want speed, accessibility, and security when it comes to their data. The quicker they can integrate, the more agile the organization can be, and the more technical resources are freed up to focus on other corporate initiatives. Out-of-the-box connectivity solutions offer modern, reliable, stable, and highly managed integration software tools that can easily support a range of connectivity needs.Â
“What most people don’t realize is the pace with which systems and integration endpoints change. APIs evolve regularly as new application features come online or new security protocols are implemented.â€
Organizations that choose to build instead of buy ultimately end up stuck maintaining integrations that are not truly core to their business. Instead, businesses that leverage pre-built connectivity solutions are insulated from change and the resulting maintenance burden.
See More: What Is a Man-in-the-Middle Attack? Definition, Detection, and Prevention Best Practices for 2022
Toolbox: Will we see a shift to predictive and prescriptive analytics turning data into an actionable asset?
Steven: Yes, as data becomes faster, more manageable, with less friction to acquire and maintain, analytics become more vital for every line of business. Reporting processes can also become more collaborative and holistic, with real-time, accurate data from across multiple departments measuring success and defining business strategy.Â
See More: Data Security Concerns Preventing a Wholesale Shift to Digital-Only Banking
Toolbox: Going forward what’s the agenda for 2023 and how data connectivity can help prevent data breaches and secure cloud environments?
Steven: Data connectivity will become even more prevalent in helping customers reduce their high-risk data footprint and cut down operational costs in data storage and the deployment of security controls.Â
“Security starts with data connectivity. Rather than copying data files and transferring them to multiple locations, organizations can be confident their information is secured within its original location and accessible in the cloud.â€
The data connectivity approach can help organizations keep better track of their data in one location, protect sensitive information and prevent data breaches as cybersecurity remains a top concern for the enterprise.
As a company moving forward, we will continue to reach higher security and compliance standards as we work with global corporations, agencies, and markets, and continue to invest in building secure products and add more security functionally both on-premises and in the cloud.
About Steven Close
Steven is a seasoned executive with over 25 years of experience in cyber security and engineering. He is responsible for defining and executing CData’s information security program to ensure the delivery of secure and compliant enterprise products, assets, and communications. Prior to joining CData, Steven managed software development and security efforts at SolarWinds, Avalon Healthcare, and Ancestry.com.
About CData
CData Software is a leading provider of data access and connectivity solutions. Our mission is to simplify the way that users and applications connect with data. We specialize in the development of Drivers and data access technologies for real-time access to online or on-premises applications, databases, and Web APIs.
Tech Talk is an interview series that features notable CTOs and senior technology executives from around the world. Join us as we talk to these technology and IT leaders who share their insights and research on data, analytics, and emerging technologies. If you are a tech expert and wish to share your thoughts, write to [email protected]Opens a new window
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