Security by Design

Data security is the top priority for many. Hardware and software must also grow closer together to provide the desired protection. However, this is not a matter of course. That’s why TeamDrive relies on the “Security by Design” principle. Find out exactly what this is here!

What is “Security by Design”?

“Security by Design” means that security requirements for software and hardware are taken into account at the development stage in order to prevent later security loopholes . This significantly improves resistance to attacks from outside and can avoid expensive upgrades later on.

In this case, “Design” is not about artistry, it’s about the design of the software, the architecture. If the design takes into account possible weak points and security interests from the very beginning, these can be integrated into the development process.

Advantages of “Security by Design”

The advantages of Security by Design are obvious:

  • avoid errors early

  • reduce potential points of attack

In the booming Smart Home and Internet of Things sectors, especially, secure solutions are essential for usability. That is because smart TVs, fridges, smoke alarms and door contacts are clients that are in constant contact with other clients or hosts, meaning there are lots of points of attack if these devices have not been developed and implemented properly. It is therefore essential that “Security by Design” is employed in this environment.

Security Update Challenges in IoT

Imagine your house had a smart lighting system that was always online so that it can receive instructions via an app or sensors, and it will soon become clear that security updates are not practical given the minimal transfer capacities. These IoT devices therefore need to have all the necessary security functions already integrated.

What is “Privacy by Design?”

Besides “Security by Design”, there is also “Privacy by Design”. The  principle of “Privacy by Design” is founded on the basic idea of “Data Protection through Technical Design” and is anchored in Article 25 of the GDPR.

Paragraph 2 of this states:

The controller shall implement appropriate technical and organisational measures for ensuring that, by default, only personal data which are necessary for each specific purpose of the processing are processed.

The idea behind this is that data protection be taken into account during data processing itself and not just when saving and processing these data further. The protection of personal information as defined by the GDPR is therefore achieved by implementing technical and organisational measures (TOMs) in the development stage itself.

The basic principles of “Privacy by Design” are:

  • Risks must be recognised early in order to be avoided

  • Data protection must be part of a default configuration

  • Data protection measures must be integrated from the very beginning, not as add-ons

  • The functionality of the software shall not be compromised

  • It must be possible to delete data if desired

  • Data processing must be adapted to business objectives

  • The private sphere of the user must be respected

Privacy by Default

“Privacy by Design” is often equated to Privacy by Default. But Privacy by Default goes one step further. By using pre-configured or factory settings designed to protect data, the level of protection of personal data is increased further. Users who are less technologically competent and who would configure software incorrectly or improperly more quickly are particularly well protected here. We resolve this “Privacy Paradox” by integrating the right settings for the user into development itself.

Further knowledge from the topic of security by design

Security by Design

Especially with software that is intended to protect your users' data from unauthorized access by third parties, software and data security must be taken into account and integrated into the entire software life cycle.

You can find out why this is very important and how you as a user benefit from it here.

Further knowledge in the areas of data transfer and data storage

Cloud Computing

In the beginning, cloud computing was primarily understood to mean the provision of storage volumes via central data centers. Instead of buying storage, you could rent storage flexibly and as needed.

This continues to happen today in varying degrees, but the offering has been expanded to include numerous other interesting services from cloud providers.

Backup

A backup is a backup copy of data that can be used to restore data if the original data is damaged, deleted or encrypted.

In the best case scenario, a backup should be stored in a different location than the original data itself - ideally in a cloud. You can find out why this is the case and what this has to do with ransomware attacks here.

GDPR, ePrivacy

With the introduction of the General Data Protection Regulation, DSGVO for short, extended requirements came into effect, especially with regard to personal data protection - including sensitive sanctions for violations of the law.

Read here what effects the GDPR has on you and your company.

The ePrivacy Regulation, which is still a work in progress at the moment, will also be discussed, but will in future formulate binding data protection rules that will apply within the EU.

GoBD

According to the Principles of Proper Accounting (GoBD), data and documents that are to be recognized by the tax authorities for tax evidence must be handled in a special way.

We will explain to you the most important facts about archiving and storing electronic documents.

Encryption

In the digital age, data protection and data security play an outstanding role.

To ensure that electronic data cannot be viewed by third parties and to prevent data misuse, it must be encrypted. This applies both to their storage and, above all, to their transport via the public Internet.

You can get deeper insights into the topic of encryption here.

Ransomware

Ransomware attacks have increased significantly in recent years. After a successful attack, all data on your computer is encrypted. From this moment on you no longer have any access options. The economic damage to companies is often enormous.

Find out here how you can protect yourself against digital blackmail.