Information is power, and this is why organizations invest heavily in safeguarding their sensitive data. Recent years have seen a surge in cybercrime, including hacks that have led to the loss of billions of dollars for companies. Businesses must actively seek appropriate measures to protect their sensitive information from being accessed, copied, or shared inappropriately. This is where Information Rights Management (IRM) comes in.
What is Information Rights Management (IRM)?
IRM is a digital security solution that helps protect sensitive information by controlling the way it’s accessed, used, and distributed. IRM technology focuses on protecting the data itself rather than the device or network. It enables administrators to customize users’ access rights, granting only the necessary permissions for authorized users to view, edit, and share information.
How Does IRM Work?
IRM uses encryption technology to secure data. This means that information is converted into unreadable code in transit. Only authorized users with the right decryption key can access the information. IRM also allows administrators to define user access levels, limiting users to specific operations like viewing, printing, editing, or printing. These access rights remain the same, even when users have downloaded the data or moved it to external devices such as USB flash drives.
Benefits of Information Rights Management
Enhanced Data Security: IRM ensures that data is only accessed by authorized personnel, thereby preventing data breaches and data loss.
Regulatory Compliance: IRM solutions enable businesses to comply with industry regulations, especially regarding privacy and security.
Improved Collaboration: IRM ensures that data is only accessed by the right people, providing better opportunities for collaboration while maintaining confidentiality.
Secure File Sharing: IRM prevents unauthorized file sharing while providing a secure environment for file sharing within or outside an organization.
Real-World Examples of IRM Solutions
Microsoft’s Azure Information Protection: This cloud-based IRM solution supports rights management across Microsoft Office Suite products, PDF, and other file formats.
VMware Workspace One: This solution provides secure access to sensitive data from anywhere, across devices and applications.
Seclore: This IRM solution provides enterprise-grade digital rights management for sensitive data inside and outside an organization.
Conclusion
Information Rights Management offers a secure digital environment for businesses to protect their sensitive information. By employing the right IRM solution, organizations can prevent data breaches and ensure that only authorized personnel access business data. The benefits of IRM include data security, regulatory compliance, improved collaboration, and secure file sharing. The real-world applications of IRM solutions by companies such as Microsoft and Seclore help businesses protect their business data better.
