2021 Application-Level Data Protection Survey Findings

This report presents the findings of the 2021 Application-Level Data Protection Survey, which aimed to understand how organizations perceive and plan for data protection at the application layer. Conducted by Entrust and Prime Factors, the survey targeted IT professionals in the UK and USA, revealing that while many recognize the complexities of application-level data protection, there is a growing intent to implement such solutions. The survey indicates that traditional data protection methods often focus on securing data at rest, leaving data in use vulnerable. Respondents expressed significant concern about unprotected sensitive data, with 85% indicating they are somewhat or very concerned. The report outlines the challenges faced in managing cryptographic keys and applying consistent data protection policies across applications. Notably, a majority of respondents plan to enhance their application-level data protection capabilities within the next year, highlighting a shift towards addressing these security gaps. Overall, the findings underscore the evolving landscape of data protection strategies among organizations.