Removable Media Encryption SOC 2 GDPR

TL;DR:

• Removable media encryption is crucial for protecting sensitive data in organizations subject to security standards like SOC 2 compliance.
• Strac Endpoint DLP ensures encryption on macOS, Windows, and Linux platforms to prevent data breaches.
• Compliance with SOC 2 CC 6.7, US Data Privacy, CPRA, Utah Code 13-61-302 (2), and Virginia CDPA is achieved through automated encryption and detailed audit trails.
• Strac's DLP solutions classify and encrypt sensitive data on removable media, helping organizations meet encryption requirements and minimize the risk of data breaches.
• By automating encryption and providing comprehensive monitoring, Strac helps businesses stay secure in today's data-driven world.

In today's digital landscape, protecting sensitive data is paramount. One area that often gets overlooked is the use of removable media—devices like USB drives, external hard drives, and SD cards. These media types can pose significant risks if not handled properly, particularly in organizations subject to stringent security standards, such as SOC 2 compliance. In this blog post, we will dive into removable media encryption, its importance, and how Strac Endpoint Data Loss Prevention (DLP) across macOS, Windows, and Linux platforms can safeguard organizations from potential security breaches.

1. What is Removable Media Encryption?

Removable media encryption (aka Portable Media Encryption) refers to the process of converting the data stored on portable devices into an unreadable format that requires a decryption key to access. This is crucial for preventing unauthorized users from accessing sensitive data in the event that the device is lost or stolen. In other words, encryption ensures that only authorized users can read the data, even if they physically possess the media.

Portable media, such as USB drives and external hard drives, are particularly vulnerable because they are easy to misplace or steal. Without encryption, any data stored on these devices can be accessed by anyone who finds them, leading to data breaches that could expose personally identifiable information (PII), financial records, or intellectual property.

2. SOC 2 Compliance and CC 6.7

When we talk about security frameworks, SOC 2 (System and Organization Controls 2) is a gold standard for evaluating an organization's controls relevant to security, availability, processing integrity, confidentiality, and privacy. For companies handling sensitive data, SOC 2 compliance is essential for building trust with customers and partners.

SOC 2 Common Criteria (CC) 6.7 explicitly covers the need to secure data, particularly when using removable or portable media. This criterion states that organizations should employ encryption mechanisms to protect the confidentiality of sensitive information. This applies to both data in transit (moving across networks) and data at rest (stored on devices, including removable media). By encrypting removable media, organizations comply with this specific requirement of SOC 2, reducing the risk of data leaks.

3. How Strac Endpoint DLP Helps Secure Removable Media

Now that we understand the importance of removable media encryption for SOC 2 compliance, let’s explore how Strac Endpoint DLP enhances security by ensuring encryption on macOS, Windows, and Linux systems. Strac’s solution automates data discovery, classification, and encryption enforcement to prevent data loss via removable media.

Strac Endpoint DLP on macOS

Strac's macOS DLP solution provides comprehensive security for organizations using Apple devices. It monitors file transfers to and from removable media in real time and ensures that sensitive data is encrypted before it can be stored externally.

• Automated Encryption: Strac's macOS DLP automatically detects when sensitive files are transferred to a USB drive or external disk and initiates encryption without user intervention. This ensures compliance with SOC 2 CC 6.7.
• Data Classification: Strac’s DLP solution classifies files based on their content and sensitivity. Files marked as containing PII, financial data, or health records (PHI) will be encrypted as a priority to prevent unauthorized access.
• Monitoring and Reporting: For SOC 2 audits, Strac provides detailed logs and reports, showing when and how sensitive files were encrypted, offering peace of mind to both organizations and auditors.

Strac Endpoint DLP on Windows

In Windows environments, removable media is frequently used for day-to-day operations, making data encryption critical. Strac Endpoint DLP for Windows offers seamless integration with organizational workflows while ensuring all sensitive data is encrypted as it moves to and from portable devices.

• Prevention of Data Leaks: Strac actively scans for sensitive content, such as PII or financial data, as soon as files are transferred to removable media. Any identified sensitive files are encrypted on the fly, preventing unauthorized access if the media is lost or stolen.
• Policy Enforcement: Strac allows IT administrators to create and enforce policies across the enterprise. For instance, only encrypted drives may be used within the organization, ensuring that non-compliant drives are blocked.
• Cross-Platform Support: Files encrypted on a Windows machine using Strac's DLP can be decrypted and accessed on other systems (macOS, Linux) if the correct decryption keys are available.

Strac Endpoint DLP on Linux

Many organizations use Linux systems to power servers, development environments, and scientific research. Strac’s Linux DLP solution ensures that sensitive data on these systems is just as secure when transferred to external drives.

• Transparent Encryption: Strac’s Linux DLP works in the background to encrypt files before they are moved to removable media. This ensures that critical intellectual property or research data is secured without disrupting workflows.
• Audit Capabilities: SOC 2 compliance on Linux systems becomes easier with Strac’s detailed audit logs. The solution tracks file transfers, encryption status, and user activities, simplifying the audit process.

4. US Data Privacy - Removable Media Encryption (Portable Media)

The US Data Privacy Security Safeguards Principle is a broad framework that emphasizes the necessity of securing sensitive data from unauthorized access or disclosure. One key component of this framework is ensuring that organizations implement security safeguards to protect data, particularly when it is stored on removable media.

• Relevance to Portable Media Encryption: The Security Safeguards Principle mandates that organizations use encryption to protect sensitive data on portable and removable media to avoid breaches.
• Application in Practice: Strac’s Endpoint DLP ensures encryption on all portable media to help organizations comply with this principle, offering automated encryption, data classification, and audit trails across macOS, Windows, and Linux systems.

5. CPRA 1798.100 (e) - California Privacy Rights Act - Removable Media Encryption (Portable Media)

The California Privacy Rights Act (CPRA) is an extension of the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) and adds more stringent requirements for businesses dealing with personal information. Under Section 1798.100 (e), organizations are required to implement reasonable security measures to protect personal data.

• Relevance to Portable Media Encryption: The CPRA underscores the need for securing personal information when stored on portable devices. Encryption of such media is considered a reasonable security measure to protect consumer data.
• Application in Practice: Strac’s Endpoint DLP solutions help organizations meet CPRA compliance by automating the encryption of personal data transferred to or stored on removable media, ensuring that no unencrypted sensitive information leaves the organization.

6. Utah 13-61-302 (2) - Utah Data Breach Notification Law - Removable Media Encryption (Portable Media)

Utah Code 13-61-302 (2) governs the protection of personal information in the event of a data breach. This law requires businesses to protect personal identifying information (PII) by using appropriate security measures, including encryption, to reduce the likelihood of unauthorized access.

• Relevance to Portable Media Encryption: Utah's data breach law emphasizes encryption as a critical defense against breaches involving portable media devices. If encrypted, the breach notification requirements may not apply.
• Application in Practice: Strac’s Endpoint DLP solution helps businesses comply with Utah's law by encrypting PII stored on removable media. The system can also provide the audit trails necessary to demonstrate compliance in the event of a breach.

7. VA 59.1-578 (a) & VA 59.1-579 (a) - Virginia Consumer Data Protection Act (CDPA) Removable Media Encryption (Portable Media)

The Virginia Consumer Data Protection Act (CDPA) outlines similar protections as the CPRA, but with some specific provisions unique to Virginia. Sections 59.1-578 (a) and 59.1-579 (a) emphasize the need for businesses to implement and maintain reasonable data security measures, including the use of encryption to protect sensitive data.

• Relevance to Portable Media Encryption: Virginia’s CDPA requires that organizations protect personal data, and encryption of portable media is a key part of ensuring that data remains secure when transferred or transported outside of the organization.
• Application in Practice: By implementing Strac’s Endpoint DLP solution, businesses operating in Virginia can automatically encrypt sensitive data transferred to portable devices, ensuring compliance with the CDPA's requirements.

Conclusion

Data security regulations across various jurisdictions have emphasized the need to encrypt removable media to protect sensitive data, reduce the risk of data breaches, and comply with privacy laws. With Strac Endpoint DLP, organizations can meet the stringent encryption requirements laid out by these frameworks, ensuring sensitive information is protected across macOS, Windows, and Linux environments.

Strac's DLP solutions automatically classify and encrypt sensitive data on removable media, helping organizations achieve compliance with SOC 2 CC 6.7, US Data Privacy, CPRA, Utah Code 13-61-302 (2), and Virginia CDPA, while also providing detailed audit trails for verification and monitoring.

With Strac Endpoint DLP solutions, organizations can seamlessly encrypt sensitive data on macOS, Windows, and Linux systems, ensuring that they meet compliance requirements while minimizing the risk of data breaches. By automating encryption and offering comprehensive monitoring, Strac helps businesses stay secure in today’s data-driven world.