When you’re working with sensitive data about your company, customers and clients, it’s important to ensure you’re doing all you can to minimize risk. If data falls into the wrong hands, it can cost you––both financially and in reputation.
Risk can come in many different forms. From employees gaining access to the wrong information or hackers getting hold of your data, you need to do everything you can to protect your organization––including cleaning up your integration system.
Many companies turn to point-to-point or publish-subscribe integration models in an effort to connect systems quickly. Unfortunately, this creates a convoluted and insecure network that makes it easier for mistakes to happen. Put simply, complexity increases risk.
Let’s take a look at some of the biggest risks an overly complicated integration system is exposing you to, as well as how you can simplify your connections and better protect your organization.
1. Complexity creates more room for data to escape.
Each integration within your organization is a potential point of failure. The more connections you have, the easier it is for your data to be compromised. A complicated integration system, like point-to-point, means there are potentially hundreds––maybe even thousands––of weak spots throughout your infrastructure.
Connections through publish-subscribe integration also create security risks. APIs open a door for end-users to pull data through requests. Unfortunately, these doors may also invite malicious users to pull sensitive information.
A simpler integration system helps to reduce weak connection points and block unforeseen problems, strengthening the overall organization. When you’re able to integrate apps in a more holistic way, data will cross through fewer points of weakness and get where it’s going more efficiently.
2. Access to data is more complicated to track.
Employers and vendors require access to certain sensitive information to get their jobs done. However, if that access is overextended or outdated, it could expose customer or company data to the wrong person. A complicated integration system can make it difficult to determine exactly what information is being shared with who.
Reducing complexity can also improve transparency. Using an integration model that fully connects your apps and devices allows you to see exactly where your data is going, as well as, run a more complete audit of who you’re sharing information with.
3. Complicated systems increase downtime.
Mistakes happen and connections can break. Unfortunately, if your integration system is overly complicated, it can be incredibly difficult to find the problem and fix the error. Even with your best team members working on the issue, you could experience high levels of downtime––costing you money, time, productivity and, most importantly, reputational risk.
Implementing a more streamlined approach to your integration can help reduce downtime by making it easier to correct mistakes. With fewer points of failure, your team is able to find and solve issues with minimal searching, getting the rest of your organization back up and running.
Minimize your risk with simpler integration.
Mitigating risk is crucial for any company, regardless of size or industry. While you may already have systems in place to ensure you’re keeping track of your data, you don’t want to make your job more complicated by using an overly complex integration model.
Odyssey sees risk management as a priority––not an afterthought. The Odyssey Platform connects simpler integration with a comprehensive ten-layer security framework. By stripping back the unnecessary steps and processes that put your organization more at risk, Odyssey builds security and audit into the foundation of your integration.
Simplifying your integration gives you the freedom to scale, customize, and build an IT infrastructure that supports productivity and efficiency––all while keeping your sensitive data and information properly protected.