[Video] Best Practices For ERP Data Privacy

Your organization is likely using an ERP system (or more than one) such as PeopleSoft, SAP ECC, S/4HANA, Oracle E-Business Suite, and JD Edwards. You are probably facing significant compliance challenges due to the growing number of data privacy and compliance regulations and the inherent limitations of these ERP systems.

In this edition of the Appsian Insights video series, we will take a detailed look at data privacy and share five best practices for protecting sensitive data.

Data privacy is the protection of personal data (aka personally identifiable information or PII) from those who should not have access to it. Additionally, new regulations such as GDPR and the CCPA give consumers the ability to determine who can access their personal information and requires the companies to implement appropriate security measures to satisfy consumer requests to opt-out of “sharing” and “selling” their information as well as allowing them to opt-in to the right to be forgotten.

5 Best Practices For Ensuring ERP Data Privacy

Here are five practical recommendations that can help your organization keep personal data secure:

1. Audit and map your data

It’s impossible to know if you’re compliant with privacy regulations if you don’t know what personal data you have. Create an inventory and assign data ownership to know where it’s stored, where it’s sent, and how it’s processed.

2. Implement security strategies with data privacy in mind

Your security configuration defines how much control you have over who can access what data at the application level. A closed-door security model (also known as a zero-trust security model) is essential.

3. Take advantage of software functionality

Ensure that you’re taking full advantage of the native security features in your ERP system, including an active password policy, limiting access to data that can be exported, and monitoring key tables.

4. Create policies and provide training

Sometimes the best defense against cyber-attacks starts with cyber-wise employees. Promote data privacy awareness and accountability with employee training and clearly documented policies.

5. Know how to identify suspicious activity

Make sure your organization has the tools and training to detect and identify suspicious activity in your ERP system, a clear communications channel, and a documented response plan.

The risk to organizations that do not comply with new regulations can be significant, including steep fines, reputational damage, and the loss of trust from customers and potential investors.

Pathlock understands the complexity of data privacy and can help you adopt policies for protecting sensitive data and strengthening compliance with regulations like GDPR and CCPA. So please contact us, and one of our experts will be happy to discuss your specific challenges.