Salesforce data security is a multi-pronged effort. There are a wide variety of ways your information can become compromised, so there are a variety of things you need to do to protect it.
Salesforce has exploded in popularity over the last couple decades. The #1 ranking customer relationship management (CRM) software holds an almost 20% share of the market.
Beyond that, Salesforce is also a commonly used platform for development.
The ubiquity of Salesforce comes as a result of its extensive capabilities to provide expert services to various industries. However, Salesforce’s popularity also makes it a security risk.
Everyone’s eyes are drawn to the most popular software, including hackers.
The good news is that there are a series of tactics you can incorporate into your usage of Salesforce to increase your level of data security.
So what are the best ways to protect your Salesforce data?
Here are the top 12 Salesforce data security best practices:
- Use Secure Passwords
- Set Up Two-Factor Authentication
- Beware of Phishing Attempts
- Schedule Frequent Audits
- Backup Your Data Frequently, Prepare for Recovery
- Utilize Transport Layer Security
- Archive Unused Data
- Track Login History
- Access Through On-Premises Servers if Possible
- Encryption, Pseudonymization, & Anonymization
- Non-Repudiation
- Salesforce Profiles and Permission Sets
1. Use Secure Passwords
This might seem like a rudimentary tactic, but that’s just because you’ve heard it so many times. However, the necessity of a strong password can’t be overstated.
Someone who isn’t fluent in the world of computers might think it’s as simple as fooling another person. However, there is software that can run the possibilities and figure out your password, given enough time.
Think your passwords are secure? Use this tool to see how long it would take a hacker to crack your code.
So how do you make a strong password?
- Use at least 15 characters
- Mix capital and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols
- Avoid sequential numbers and keypad paths
2. Set Up Two-Factor Authentication
This again takes place at the login screen. Setting up two-factor authentication creates another barrier between your Salesforce data and somebody who isn’t supposed to be there.
This could take the form of connecting through the Salesforce Authenticator or a text or call to the user’s phone.
This allows the user to control who accesses their account and when, even if the password is entered correctly.
Here’s a quick video on how to enable two-factor authentication on Salesforce.
3. Beware of Phishing Attempts
Phishing is a means of compromising your e-mail account through fraudulent messages. This can lead to viruses infecting your computer and compromising any programs you may interact with.
A Trojan horse attack can compromise your data and damage your files.
The best way to fight against this is to avoid it altogether. Spotting phishing attempts can be confusing. They often mimic popular companies or websites.
A quick way to see if an e-mail might be from a malicious entity is to check the sender’s e-mail address. They will often not follow the format of the real company.
When in doubt, delete the message.
Visit the website of the company the message claims to represent and complete your business there.
4. Schedule Frequent Audits
An audit of your Salesforce account will provide information regarding the use of your system. This investigation into your account will reveal any potential or current security issues.
Audits can be performed both within Salesforce, as well as within your company’s IT infrastructure.
Security risks don’t always show themselves right away.
The ability to find vulnerabilities—or live breaches—can save massive downtime and data loss in the future.
5. Backup Your Data Frequently, Prepare for Recovery
Outages are going to happen. You need to be prepared, whether this is a result of a bad actor or a glitch in the system.
Frequent backups are a great way to maintain Salesforce data security.
AutoRABIT offers the capability to backup your present Salesforce data so you’re prepared for data loss or corruption.
There are a variety of options for styles of backups. This gives you the ability to tailor your tactics to your specific needs.
Are you willing to sacrifice data in order to regain operations more quickly? Or are you willing to take a longer time to recover in order to save more data?
These considerations will dictate the type of backup as well as a recovery plan that will best fit your needs.
6. Utilize Transport Layer Security
There are security measures that can be included within your browser as well as the Salesforce platform itself. One such measure of security is what’s known as Transport Layer Security (TLS).
TLS works to protect both your information as well as communications.
Encryption and server authentication create a protective barrier between your data and outside parties that might try to spy on it. This helps to keep your data accessible only by registered users of your Salesforce account.
7. Archive Unused Data
The more data you have, the harder it is to protect. Not only that, but an over-abundance of outdated data will slow your system down and make it more difficult to backup your more essential data.
AutoRABIT’s Vault allows your company to store unwanted data without completely deleting, should you decide to use it in the future.
Removing unnecessary data from your production system makes it easier for you to protect the information that is essential to your overall operation.
8. Track Login History
There is a lot of sensitive information contained within your Salesforce account.
The ability to track who is accessing specific information allows for a higher level of accountability and security.
Salesforce makes this easy by providing the ability to set up a “New Login Location Report.” This gives you the opportunity to verify each login as legitimate.
Anything out of the ordinary should be immediately reported to your IT department.
9. Access Through On-Premises Servers if Possible
Cloud computing has a lot of benefits. A constant connection to the internet, however, also leaves you open for attack.
On-premises servers give you total control over your data and systems.
The process of moving changes between applications and updating your systems is much less prone to attack when it is not done in the full view of the internet.
Many businesses don’t possess the infrastructure needed to move their operations to on-premises servers. But those that do should make use of the inherent increase in Salesforce data security.
Off-platform DevOps solutions can be backed up and hosted on-premises, creating a more secure infrastructure.
10. Encryption, Pseudonymization, & Anonymization
Personal data and personal identifiable information (PII) can be exploited when it gets into the wrong hands.
Encryption, Pseudonymization, & Anonymization are all tactics to mask this information so it can’t become compromised.
Encryption, Pseudonymization, & Anonymization are essential in terms of compliance for sensitive information such as you might find within financial institutions. Your Salesforce data security is important, but so is the information of your employees, clients, and vendors.
11. Non-Repudiation
This essentially relates to the idea of creating a scenario where the validity of something cannot be denied. This is useful for signatures and verification of information, but it can also be useful in Salesforce data security.
Users can set up IP filtering on both the application as well as the network level.
Your IP address is basically your device’s fingerprint. It can be used to identify you. Filtering IP addresses keeps your data safe by denying access to individuals that have proven a desire to act in a harmful way.
12. Salesforce Profiles and Permission Sets
The Salesforce platform is highly customizable, which provides a variety of settings that can be manipulated to enhance security.
Intentional permission sets for Salesforce profiles helps ensure that migrating information doesn’t become a security risk.
AutoRABIT can assist with this by migrating only the impacted profiles and permission sets, which eliminates the risk of migrating the full profile.
Utilizing these best practices will help to keep your information secure. Data is everything in our evolving marketplace. Don’t let yours become compromised by sloppy housekeeping.
FAQs
Salesforce data security refers to the many available methods of protecting your technological infrastructure against data loss, breaches, and exposure of sensitive data.
Data loss can come from numerous potential sources including:
- Accidental deletions
- Cybercrime
- Natural disasters
- Software failures
- and more
Data loss can never be completely guarded against, but there are many best practices your team can follow to minimize your vulnerabilities such as:
- Use Secure Passwords
- Set Up Two-Factor Authentication
- Beware of Phishing Attempts
- Schedule Frequent Audits
- Backup Your Data Frequently, Prepare for Recovery
- Utilize Transport Layer Security
- Archive Unused Data
- Track Login History
- Access Through On-Premises Servers if Possible
- Encryption, Pseudonymization, & Anonymization
- Non-Repudiation
- Salesforce Profiles and Permission Sets
