In the context of digital transformation and increasingly stringent personal data protection regulations, data security has become a core element of corporate governance. Among various aspects of information security, the protection of data at rest plays a critical role in safeguarding corporate information assets, ensuring legal compliance, and maintaining stakeholder trust. A well-defined data-at-rest security policy serves as a fundamental framework for enterprises to manage and protect stored data throughout its lifecycle.
- Current Situation Regarding Data-at-Rest Security Policies
At present, many enterprises in Vietnam tend to place excessive emphasis on network transmission security while neglecting the protection of stored data. In practice, most large-scale data breaches originate from storage servers, cloud storage services, or backup devices that are not properly encrypted.
In addition, the management of paper-based data and electronic data remains fragmented, with no unified access control and authorization procedures. As a result, employees may easily extract sensitive data without leaving an audit trail. This situation highlights the urgent need to standardize data-at-rest security policies, not only to protect corporate assets but also to comply with emerging regulations on personal data protection.
- What Is a Data-at-Rest Security Policy?
A data-at-rest security policy is a set of rules, procedures, and technical measures established by an organization to protect data while it is stored on fixed media such as hard drives, servers, cloud storage systems, or physical paper records. This policy defines how data is classified, encrypted, stored, accessed, and destroyed in order to ensure confidentiality, integrity, and availability.
Accordingly, a data-at-rest security policy serves as a foundational instrument enabling organizations to establish a systematic framework for data governance and protection, thereby ensuring information security throughout the entire data storage lifecycle.
- Why Do Enterprises Need to Establish a Data-at-Rest Security Policy?
First and foremost, such a policy helps enterprises strictly comply with legal obligations, particularly by avoiding administrative sanctions that may reach up to 5% of annual revenue under the draft regulations on personal data protection.
Second, it functions as a preventive risk mitigation mechanism, significantly reducing potential damage arising from ransomware attacks or the physical theft of data-containing devices.
Finally, a transparent and well-structured policy reinforces corporate credibility and professionalism, thereby fostering trust among customers and business partners, especially in international commercial transactions.
It is evident that establishing a data-at-rest security policy is not merely a legal compliance requirement but also an essential measure for risk prevention, protection of information assets, and enhancement of corporate reputation in the market.
3. What Is the Difference Between Sensitive Data and Ordinary Data in a Security Policy?
Decree No. 13/2023/NĐ-CP classifies personal data into two categories under Clauses 3 and 4 of Article 2:
- Ordinary (Basic) Data: This includes information such as name, gender, address, nationality, marital status, personal identification number, bank account information, family relationships, and similar data. Such data generally requires only a basic level of security protection.
- Sensitive Data: This includes political opinions, religious beliefs, health status, genetic data, biometric identifiers, private life information, and customer data. This category of data is subject to mandatory enhanced security measures, such as compulsory encryption and multi-layer access control mechanisms.
Clearly distinguishing between sensitive data and ordinary data within a data-at-rest security policy is a crucial basis for applying appropriate protection measures, ensuring legal compliance, and optimizing the allocation of an enterprise’s security resources.
In conclusion, in an era where data breaches and regulatory scrutiny are on the rise, data-at-rest security policies have become an indispensable component of enterprise risk management and compliance frameworks. By establishing clear classifications, robust technical safeguards, and standardized access control procedures, enterprises can effectively protect their information assets, meet legal requirements, and strengthen their competitive position in both domestic and international markets.
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1. Lawyer Vu Thi Phuong Thanh, Chairman of the Members’ Council, Ha Noi Bar Association
Email: vtpthanh@tlalaw.vn
2. Lawyer Tran My Le, Manager of TLA Law LLC, Ha Noi Bar Association
Email: tmle@tlalaw.vn.
Dinh Phuong Thao