Forgotten USB sticks in copy shops, printouts left in printers, hacked email accounts, lost passwords – who hasn’t experienced these situations? The importance of securing and safeguarding data is growing rapidly, especially in the age of cyberattacks, spyware, and ongoing debates about artificial intelligence and deepfakes.
Personal data in general, and research data in particular, are valuable and should be stored securely to prevent loss and unauthorized access. Safe storage and protection of research data are essential components of research data management and fundamental to sound scientific practice.
Effective data security includes not only physical security measures but also the protection of computer systems, secure data deletion, and safe online communication and collaboration. Generally, data security aims to achieve the following objectives:

• Confidentiality – Data access must be restricted to authorized individuals.
• Integrity – Data must remain free from unauthorized alterations or damage.
• Availability – Authorized users should have access to data at all times.

Evidence in Data Affairs

Data Security