Unencrypted Sensitive Data Risk Guides
Comprehensive DSPM guides for identifying and mitigating unencrypted sensitive data risks across your data infrastructure.
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AWS PHI Detection
Learn how to detect protected health information (PHI) in AWS environments. Follow step-by-step guidance for HIPAA compliance and secure healthcare data management.
Snowflake Password Exposure Remediation
Learn how to fix password exposures in Snowflake environments. Follow step-by-step guidance for NIST 800-53 compliance.
AWS PHI Exposure Remediation
Learn how to fix exposed Protected Health Information (PHI) in AWS environments. Follow step-by-step guidance for HIPAA compliance.
Snowflake PHI Exposure Remediation
Learn how to fix PHI exposure in Snowflake environments. Follow step-by-step guidance for HIPAA compliance and secure data handling.
AWS Financial Records Protection
Learn how to prevent exposure of financial records in AWS environments. Follow step-by-step guidance for PCI-DSS compliance.
AWS Password Exposure Prevention
Learn how to prevent password exposure in AWS environments. Follow step-by-step guidance for PCI-DSS compliance and secure credential management.
Azure Password Exposure Prevention
Learn how to prevent password exposure in Azure environments. Follow step-by-step guidance for PCI-DSS compliance.
Azure PCI Data Exposure Prevention
Learn how to prevent exposure of PCI data in Azure environments. Follow step-by-step guidance for PCI-DSS compliance and data protection.
Databricks PCI Data Exposure Prevention
Learn how to prevent exposure of PCI data in Databricks environments. Follow step-by-step guidance for PCI-DSS compliance.
Snowflake PCI Data Prevention
Learn how to prevent exposure of PCI data in Snowflake environments. Follow step-by-step guidance for PCI-DSS compliance.
GCP PHI Exposure Prevention
Learn how to prevent exposure of Protected Health Information (PHI) in Google Cloud Platform environments. Follow step-by-step guidance for HIPAA compliance.
Snowflake PHI Exposure Prevention
Learn how to prevent PHI exposure in Snowflake environments. Follow step-by-step guidance for HIPAA compliance and data protection.
About Unencrypted Sensitive Data Risk
Unencrypted sensitive data represents a critical security vulnerability where confidential information is stored or transmitted without cryptographic protection. This exposes organizations to data breaches, regulatory violations, and compliance failures. Encryption serves as a fundamental control to protect data confidentiality and integrity, both at rest and in transit.
Common Unencrypted Data Scenarios
- Database storage without encryption at rest
- Cloud storage buckets with default settings
- Backup files and archives without encryption
- Application logs containing sensitive information
Detection Methods
- Data discovery and classification scanning
- Configuration assessment and compliance checks
- Network traffic analysis for unencrypted protocols
- File system encryption status monitoring
Immediate Actions
- Enable encryption for identified sensitive data
- Implement proper key management controls
- Restrict access until encryption is applied
- Document encryption status and remediation plans
Encryption Implementation by Data Type
Different types of sensitive data require specific encryption approaches and considerations for effective protection.
Database Encryption
- Transparent Data Encryption (TDE) for at-rest protection
- Column-level encryption for specific sensitive fields
- Always Encrypted for end-to-end protection
- Encrypted database connections (TLS/SSL)
File & Storage Encryption
- Server-side encryption for cloud storage
- Client-side encryption for additional control
- Full disk encryption for physical storage
- Encrypted backup and archive solutions
Application Data Encryption
- Application-level encryption for sensitive fields
- API payload encryption for data in transit
- Secure key storage and rotation practices
- Encryption key lifecycle management
Regulatory Compliance Requirements
Many regulations mandate encryption for sensitive data types, with specific requirements for implementation and key management.
Healthcare (HIPAA)
- Encryption of PHI at rest and in transit
- Addressable safeguard implementation
- Access controls for encryption keys
- Risk assessment for encryption decisions
Payment Cards (PCI-DSS)
- Strong cryptography for cardholder data
- Encryption of data transmission over networks
- Secure key generation and distribution
- Key rotation and retirement procedures
Privacy Regulations (GDPR/CCPA)
- Appropriate technical measures for personal data
- Encryption as privacy by design implementation
- Data breach notification impact mitigation
- Cross-border transfer protection requirements
Key Management Best Practices
Effective encryption requires robust key management practices to ensure security and operational continuity.
Key Generation & Storage
- Use cryptographically secure random number generators
- Store keys in dedicated key management systems
- Separate encryption keys from encrypted data
- Implement hardware security modules (HSMs) for critical keys
Key Lifecycle Management
- Regular key rotation and renewal schedules
- Secure key distribution and escrow procedures
- Key versioning and backward compatibility
- Secure key destruction and retirement processes
Access Control & Monitoring
- Role-based access control for key operations
- Multi-person authorization for sensitive operations
- Comprehensive logging and audit trails
- Regular access reviews and key usage monitoring