What Should I Do After a Salesforce Data Loss Event?

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.