Best Data Protection Tools in 2024

What Is a Data Protection Tool?

With the advent of digitalization, the significance of data has grown exponentially. The widespread use of digital technologies has led to an unprecedented volume of data being generated and collected, which, in turn, has heightened the risk of cyberattacks on sensitive data held by businesses, institutions, and government organizations. These attacks have grown more sophisticated over time, underscoring the critical need for data protection. Data protection is at the forefront of cybersecurity and is achieved through the use of various tools and systems collectively known as data protection tools or data security software.

Data protection tools are designed to prevent unauthorized access and data leaks, often incorporating features like cloud encryption to secure data stored in remote servers. They form a robust defense against data loss and continuity disruptions, making them an integral component of any organization's cybersecurity strategy.

Popular Types of Data Security Tools

To help businesses protect their valuable information, there are several essential data security tools that offer robust protection without overwhelming IT teams;

• Firewalls: As the initial protective barrier for your corporate network, firewalls oversee both incoming and outgoing network traffic. These tools are relatively easy to set up and provide effective protection against external cyber threats. Modern third-generation firewalls go beyond simple traffic monitoring; they employ in-line deep packet inspection to detect and block sophisticated cyber attacks.
• Email Security: Email remains a primary means of communication, but it's also a top target for cyber attacks. Businesses deploy various security policies through device and endpoint management solutions, with conditional email access being a powerful strategy. This approach enables IT administrators to set specific conditions, such as authentication or device enrollment, before granting access to corporate email inboxes, bolstering protection for sensitive data.
• Data Loss Prevention (DLP): A data loss prevention system helps businesses monitor and secure their data, preventing unauthorized copying or deletion. These systems work across network data, device data, and cloud data, providing comprehensive protection against data leaks.
• Data Encryption: Data encryption tools add an extra layer of defense by encoding business information. This ensures that the information can only be accessed by authorized users possessing the correct security key. This safeguards data even if devices are compromised due to theft or hacking.
• Access Control: Restricting access to corporate devices and networks is crucial to mitigate both insider and external security threats. Access control systems allow IT administrators to define who can access specific files and networks within the organization, typically through user authentication.

Key Features of Data Protection Tools

The following key features of data protection tools are essential to safeguard your sensitive information;

• Automatic Data Classification: Data protection tools need to possess the capability to autonomously categorize personal information. Manual management of sensitive information can lead to privacy breaches. Automation enables the identification and classification of sensitive data stored in various locations, giving you a clear understanding of the type of data and its storage location.
• Risk Assessment: Effective data protection tools should offer risk assessment capabilities. They scan your databases for potential vulnerabilities and provide a personal risk data profile. This feature aids in identifying network weaknesses, helping you fortify your security.
• Complete Visibility: A reliable data protection tool should provide full visibility into your data. This means you can access and monitor all data within your network, identifying who accesses it and when. Having comprehensive insights into network activities is crucial for maintaining data security.
• Data Subject Request Management: Database security software simplify the management of Data Subject Access Requests (DSARs). By scanning your databases, checking for relevant attributes, and automating workflows, these tools streamline the fulfillment of DSARs, saving time and resources.
• Identification of Related Attributes: These tools can easily identify related attributes within your data sets. Recognizing these connections makes it easier to retrieve interconnected personal data when needed.
• Swift Response: An effective data protection tool should be capable of initiating swift responses to potential breaches. It identifies risky access behaviors and notifies you of policy violations, allowing corrective action before issues escalate. Access tracking is also a part of this feature, providing insight into who accessed data and when.
• Compatibility: Your chosen data protection tool should seamlessly complement your existing security and privacy solutions. This ensures a cohesive approach to data protection, reducing the time and resources spent on audits and enhancing overall security.

Major Benefits of Using Data Protection Software

In the digital era, where data is generated and stored in vast quantities, employing data protection tools is imperative. These tools offer a range of significant benefits;

• Safeguarding Valuable Data: Data protection shields your critical assets, ensuring that sensitive information remains private. Not all data needs to be accessible to every employee, and data protection tools help prevent unauthorized access, keeping confidential data safe from prying eyes.
• Competitive Edge: Protecting your data also fosters investor confidence, giving you a competitive advantage. Robust data security measures, including up-to-date software and stringent data policies, inspire trust among clients and partners, setting your business apart from competitors.
• Cost Reduction: Implementing security measures from the outset reduces development and support costs and prevents inadvertent data loss. In contrast, unreliable software can result in legal complications and monetary setbacks.
• Defense Against Hackers: Data privacy tools make it challenging for hackers to access sensitive information, including personal and financial data. By safeguarding this critical data, you can thwart identity theft, prevent phishing schemes, and other fraudulent actions.
• Regulatory Compliance: Meeting industry standards is essential for a reputable standing. Data protection tools help your software adhere to current standards, such as PCI DSS for payment card information and HIPAA for healthcare data.
• Preventing Downtime: A data breach can lead to website downtime, impacting revenue. Data protection tools safeguard your website from unauthorized access, ensuring uninterrupted online operations.
• Improved Business Management: Data protection necessitates better data management and ethical business practices, earning the trust of customers and enhancing your business's reputation.

Top Data Protection Tools with Features & Pricing

To help you choose the best data privacy management software, here is a list of top 10 data privacy management systems;

Software	Features	Price
Acronis	Data Recovery, Disk-Imaging Backup, Universal Recovery, Virtual Server, Ransomware Protection	₹3,550 /Quantity
Microsoft 365 E5 Compliance	Microsoft Purview Data Loss Prevention, Microsoft Purview Compliance Manager, Microsoft Purview Information Protection, Microsoft Purview Customer Key, Microsoft Purview Insider Risk Management	₹11,280
Seqrite DLP	Data Loss Prevention, Data Protection, Password Protection, Integrations, Centralized Management	Price On Request
Baffle io	Data Pipeline De-Identification, Tokenization / FPE, Field & Record Level Encryption, Dynamic & Static Data Masking, Database Encryption	Price On Request
Cohesity	Easy Cloud Integration, Data Recovery, Cloud Native Backups, Global Data Management, Backup and Recovery	Price On Request
Cypher Protect	Safeguard sensitive files, Asset-level encryption, Revoke access instantly, Get stronger data security, Simple & effective approach	Price On Request
IMATAG	Secure your assets online, Include an invisible watermark, Get real time notifications, Automated content monitoring tool, Enhanced visual recognition	Price On Request
Virtru	One-Click encryption, Secure data in google drive, Safeguard content in Google Docs, Ensure data privacy, Full control of data	$109
Cossack Acra	Modern data security, Cryptographic security, Searchable encryption, Data masking & tokenization, Key management tooling	$10,000
EncryptRIGHT	Data access control, Encryption, Tokenization, Audit & reporting functionality, Quicker implementations	Price On Request

Factors to Consider When You Buy Data Protection Tools

To choose the right data protection tools, consider these key factors;

• Data Sensitivity: Assess the sensitivity of the data you need to protect. Identify the types of information you handle, including personal, financial, or proprietary data. Different data privacy management software may be required based on the nature of your data.
• Regulatory Compliance: Understand the regulatory landscape that applies to your industry. Compliance requirements, such as GDPR or HIPAA, dictate specific data protection measures. Make sure the tools you select are in accordance with these regulations.
• Scalability: Consider your business's growth potential. Data protection tools should scale with your organization, accommodating increased data volumes and evolving needs without the need for frequent upgrades.
• Integration: Determine how well the data protection tools integrate with your existing software and systems. Seamless integration ensures data security across your entire infrastructure.
• User-Friendly Interface: The ease of use is crucial. A user-friendly interface simplifies data protection management and reduces the risk of human errors.
• Automation: Look for tools that offer automation capabilities. Automated data protection can streamline processes and ensure consistent, round-the-clock security.
• Support and Updates: Evaluate the availability of technical assistance and routine upgrades. Timely support and updates are essential for maintaining the effectiveness of your data protection tools.
• Cost and ROI: Assess the overall ownership expenses,  including the initial procurement, deployment, and continuous operational outlays. Take into account the return on investment (ROI) regarding enhanced data security and adherence to regulations.
• Customization: Make certain that the tools can be adjusted to your specific requirements. Customization features enable you to refine data protection to suit your unique needs.
• Performance and Speed: Best data protection software should not significantly impact system performance or slow down data access and processing. Opt for tools that operate efficiently.
• Data Recovery: Assess the data recovery capabilities of the data loss protection tools. In the event of data loss, the tools should facilitate quick and efficient data restoration.