Data loss events are unfortunately common.
There are many scenarios that can result in the corruption, loss, or exposure
of sensitive data.
Improperly guarding against or handling
a data loss event can lead to loss of customer trust and even a failure to meet
data security regulations.
These events can be the result of the
efforts of a cybercriminal, natural disaster, or even simply an error by a team
member. A thorough data security plan will do well to protect your business
against many of these scenarios, but it’s impossible to guarantee complete
security against a Salesforce data loss event.
So what should you do if your Salesforce
system data becomes compromised or exposed? How do you mitigate the damage,
protect your employees and customers, and remain in compliance with government
data security regulations?
Here are 7 steps to take after a
Salesforce data loss event:
1.
Assess What Data Was Lost or
Exposed
2.
Recover Data from a Backup
Repository
3.
Analyze How the Event Occurred
4.
Institute New Policies to Protect
Against Cause
5.
Examine Current Toolset
1. Assess What Data Was Lost or Exposed
The first step is to figure out what areas
of your Salesforce system—and what sets of data—were compromised, lost, or
exposed. The type and quantity of data will dictate how you will need to
proceed.
Once you ascertain which data has been
affected, you should ensure that whatever caused the event is put to a stop.
2. Recover Data from a Backup Repository
Returning to operations is going to be a
priority after a Salesforce data loss event. System data, personal data, and
metadata will all impact how your Salesforce system functions. This will also
function your ability to conduct business and provide essential services to
your customers.
A current data backup
repository and the ability to quickly restore it are essential to returning
your system to operations.
3. Analyze How the Event Occurred
Now that your bases are covered as far as
notifications and returning your system to operations, it’s time to figure out
how this happened so you can work toward avoiding it in the future.
Work backwards from the Salesforce data
loss event to determine the cause. Running various access reports and system
audits should be able to point you toward the moment of incitation.
4. Institute New Policies to Protect Against Cause
Take what you’ve learned through analyzing
the event and discuss it with your colleagues. What tools can be implemented to
guard against this in the future? Are there any best practices that can be
communicated with team members that will reduce the likelihood of a repeat
occurrence?
There is an opportunity to learn from every
mistake—and a data loss event is no different.
5. Examine Current Toolset
A major aspect of protecting yourself
against Salesforce data loss events in the future is to consider which tools
you currently have in place to protect your system.
We’ve mentioned the importance of a data backup and
recovery system. If you don’t currently use a backup and recovery tool, you
need to start immediately.
Your Salesforce DevOps pipeline can be a
great asset. Introducing secure updates and applications goes a long way to
preventing future data loss events. Utilizing a
complete Automated Release Management system not only produces better
products, it also ensures structural stability to prevent software crashes and
data security vulnerabilities.
