Change is a way of life, but the celerity of change over the last couple of centuries has been unmatched since the inception of mankind. We have progressed and developed in every field ranging from health care to engineering and computers to space technology. Betterment of life in all its aspects has solely been possible due to the research and development (R&D) conducted in all spheres of activity.
Let’s resort to a simple example to elucidate this fact. In the 1900s, life expectancy averaged around 45 years. Compare this to the circumstances prevalent today. R&D in pharmaceuticals has made available life-saving remedial measures, elevating human longevity to a couple of years beyond 80s (in developed global economies around the world).
R&D is also the key to economic growth, and the progress made by the research engineers has accelerated with the advent of computers. Computer usage by managers, scientists and engineers in the R&D wing has been the norm since long. As economic progress is made possible only due to efforts of intensive research, many countries are increasing their allotment of funds for R&D projects.
Importance of R&D Data and the Threat to Its Security
The importance of R&D in the field of medicine has already been highlighted. Nanotechnology (the science of designing and building at the atomic or molecular level) is another area, in which developmental research would benefit many sectors like defence, electronics, medical therapies, chemical sensors, digital cameras, computer chips, etc.
Research has been taking place in these sectors and the generated knowledge is available as chemical formulas, ideas, industrial designs, etc. This data is much more valuable than the physical assets of a company. As is wont, such precious information is protected by creation of a backup, for computers are prone to failure.
Computer damages are unpredictable. The system might get subjected to a physical or logical failure at the most unexpected and inopportune of moments. However, this is not the only threat for data in the R&D sector. To be precise, this data is more prone to get destroyed by hackers or stolen by data thieves. Competitors are always on the prowl scouting for weak links in the security chain of the organisation. They usually discover that humans happen to be the weakest link in tight security cordons.
Protecting Data
As mentioned, R&D data is exposed to great security threat. Protection against computer-related problems is provided by creation of data backups. However, in the R&D sector, the physical protection of these backup devices is also important. The storage media should be kept locked and access to the devices restricted.
The original sensitive data that exists on the computer hard disks can be protected by utilising software tools that keep track of data access and usage. Further protection can be entailed by access and source codes.
Data transmitted over networks is vulnerable. This vantage point for data thieves should be closely monitored, especially if private networks are used. Telecommuting employees and those working on laptops can also turn a reason for security lapses.
Employees should be trained to identify security threats. They usually hold the mistaken notion that data security is the prerogative of the legal division. As all the departments in an R&D section are computerised, these interlinked sections should function in close coordination to ensure the maximum protection to data.
Recovering Lost Data
Data generated by the research and development wing is so vital that once it is stolen, apprehending the culprit or retrieving lost data proves futile. Prevention of data theft or loss is the best protection one can offer in the R&D sector.
However, if data is lost due to computer-related problems, they can be recovered seeking the help of professional expertise. Data recovery software should never be tried for it carries the inherent risk of data loss upon wrong usage. The most reputed data recovery companies must be approached for they work under conditions of strict confidentiality. Their confidentiality agreements explicitly state that data will not be viewed by anyone without the prior consent of the owner of the data.
The R&D wing of any organisation is responsible not only for the growth of that particular organisation but also of the nation at large. The data they keep stored on their hard disks is vital enough to be sought after by many rivals or competitors. Sensitive information can only be protected by maintaining security of the highest order.
Data security is critical to the functions of almost all companies and, when there is a concern that data security has been compromised, a Digital Forensics (or computer forensics) expert can examine a network or computer system to discover any intrusive activity.