Data Security Best Practices: A 2025 Implementation Guide for Every Organization

Introduction

In 2025, data breaches aren't a matter of if but when—and the stakes have never been higher. From AI-powered ransomware attacks to sophisticated supply chain vulnerabilities, organizations of all sizes face an increasingly complex threat landscape. Whether you're a content creator protecting your portfolio data or a brand managing confidential campaign information, understanding and implementing data security best practices is essential for safeguarding your most valuable assets.

Data security best practices represent a comprehensive approach to protecting information from unauthorized access, theft, corruption, and loss. It encompasses everything from encryption and access controls to employee training and incident response protocols. For InfluenceFlow users—creators and brands alike—this means protecting payment information, media kits, contracts, and sensitive campaign data.

This guide walks you through proven strategies, modern approaches like zero-trust architecture, and actionable roadmaps tailored to different organizational sizes. We'll cover the foundation, implementation challenges, and emerging threats specific to 2025.

1. Understanding Your Data Security Foundation

Before implementing specific security controls, you need to understand what you're protecting and why. This foundational step determines your entire security strategy.

1.1 Data Classification Framework

Not all data requires the same level of protection. Start by classifying your information according to sensitivity levels:

• Public Data: Information safe to share openly (published content, marketing materials)
• Internal Data: Non-sensitive business information (internal memos, general processes)
• Confidential Data: Sensitive business information requiring restricted access (financial records, client lists)
• Restricted Data: Highly sensitive data with strict regulatory requirements (payment information, personal identification, health records)

According to a 2024 IBM Security study, organizations that implement data classification frameworks reduce breach impact by up to 40% because they know exactly where to focus security investments.

Create a data inventory audit documenting: - What data you collect and store - Where data is located (cloud, on-premises, hybrid) - Who accesses it - How long you retain it - Applicable compliance requirements

For InfluenceFlow users, this means classifying creator bank account information as "restricted," contract templates as "internal," and published portfolio data as "public."

1.2 Security Maturity Assessment

Assess your organization's current security posture using a maturity model:

This assessment helps determine: - Which quick wins provide immediate protection - Long-term investment priorities - Budget allocation across teams - Realistic timelines for implementation

A 2025 Gartner report found that organizations matching their security investments to their maturity level achieve 60% faster time-to-implement and better overall effectiveness compared to those deploying enterprise solutions prematurely.

1.3 Building Your Security Governance Structure

Security isn't the IT department's job alone. Establish clear roles and responsibilities:

• Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) or Security Lead: Overall strategy and accountability
• Security Committee: Cross-functional team (IT, legal, compliance, operations)
• Security Champions: Department representatives driving cultural change
• Incident Response Team: Specialists for breach situations

Document your security policies covering: - Access control standards - Password and authentication requirements - Data handling procedures - Incident reporting protocols - Vendor management processes

This structure ensures security decisions get proper oversight and resources, preventing the common mistake of treating security as an afterthought.

2. Access Control & Authentication: The Modern Approach

Your ability to control who accesses what data is fundamental to security. In 2025, the approach has evolved significantly beyond traditional passwords.

2.1 Zero-Trust Architecture Fundamentals

Traditional security relied on a "trust but verify" perimeter model—once inside the network, users had broad access. Zero-trust flips this: never trust, always verify.

Key principles: - Verify every user, device, and request - Assume breach and limit lateral movement - Use least privilege access by default - Continuously monitor and validate trust

Implementation for different sizes:

SMBs (Quick Start): - Implement MFA immediately - Use cloud-based identity providers (Microsoft Entra, Okta) - Enable basic network segmentation - Timeline: 2-4 weeks - Cost: $50-$200/month

Mid-Market: - Deploy role-based access control (RBAC) - Implement conditional access policies - Segment networks by department/function - Timeline: 6-12 weeks - Cost: $500-$2,000/month

Enterprise: - Full zero-trust architecture with micro-segmentation - Advanced analytics and threat detection - Continuous compliance monitoring - Timeline: 3-6 months - Cost: $5,000+/month

A real-world scenario: A brand using InfluenceFlow needs to grant a marketing manager access to campaign contracts and payment records, but not to other team members' data. Zero-trust ensures she can only access what's necessary for her role, and her access is revoked immediately when she leaves.

2.2 Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) Implementation

MFA requires two or more verification methods before granting access. The types include:

• SMS/Text Messages: Least secure but widely supported
• Authenticator Apps: More secure (Google Authenticator, Microsoft Authenticator)
• Biometric: Fingerprint or facial recognition (most user-friendly)
• Hardware Keys: USB security keys (highest security, best for executives)
• Passkeys: Password replacements using cryptography (2025 standard)

Deployment strategy for maximum adoption:

1. Phase 1 (Week 1-2): Implement for admin and privileged accounts (highest risk)
2. Phase 2 (Week 3-4): Roll out to all employees with training
3. Phase 3 (Week 5+): Extend to customer-facing applications

Common adoption challenges and solutions:

Cost-benefit for SMBs: - Cost: $0-$50/month (most cloud providers include free MFA) - Benefit: Blocks 99.9% of password-based attacks - ROI: Prevents average $4.29 million breach cost (2024 IBM data)

2.3 Password Management & Access Policies

While passkeys gradually replace passwords in 2025, most organizations still rely on them. Modern password standards include:

Password Policy Essentials: - Minimum 12-16 characters (longer is better than complexity) - No forced regular changes (unless compromise suspected) - Elimination of complexity requirements (contradicts NIST 2017 guidance) - Use of password managers for storage - Unique passwords across applications

Privileged Access Management (PAM): For accounts with elevated permissions (admins, system accounts), implement: - Separate privileged accounts for elevated tasks - Just-in-time access elevation (access granted for specific duration) - Session recording and audit logs - Regular access reviews and recertification

Principle of Least Privilege (PoLP): Users receive only the minimum access required for their role. Example on InfluenceFlow: - Junior contractor: View only assigned campaigns - Campaign manager: Create and edit campaigns, approve invoices - Brand director: Full account access - Freelancer: Cannot access payment settings or team member data

Conduct quarterly access reviews asking: "Does this person still need this access for their current role?"

3. Data Encryption & Protection Strategies

Encryption transforms readable data into unreadable format without the proper key—even if attackers breach your systems, they can't use the data.

3.1 Encryption Standards for 2025

Three contexts require encryption:

Encryption at Rest (data stored): - AES-256: Current standard (quantum-resistant) - Full disk encryption for all devices - Database encryption - Cloud storage encryption

Encryption in Transit (data moving): - TLS 1.2 or higher (1.3 recommended) - HTTPS for all web applications - VPN for remote access - End-to-end encryption for sensitive communications

Encryption in Use (data being processed): - Emerging 2025 technology for processing encrypted data - Homomorphic encryption (advanced use cases) - Tokenization for payment data

Implementation complexity by organization size:

SMBs: Focus on at-rest and in-transit encryption. Most cloud providers handle this automatically. Cost: Usually included with cloud service (no additional charge).

Enterprise: Implement all three layers plus post-quantum encryption preparation (quantum computers will break current encryption). Cost: $100K-$500K for comprehensive implementation.

Real-world example: When creators upload media kits to InfluenceFlow, data is encrypted in transit (HTTPS) and at rest (AES-256). Payment information receives end-to-end encryption protection.

3.2 Cloud Security Posture Management (CSPM)

In 2025, data lives in cloud environments (AWS, Azure, Google Cloud). Security requires understanding the shared responsibility model:

Common cloud misconfigurations (most breaches stem from these): - Publicly accessible databases - Unencrypted S3 buckets - Overly permissive security groups - Disabled logging and monitoring - Shared storage without access controls

2025 CSPM best practices: - Use automated CSPM tools (Wiz, Lacework, Prisma Cloud) - Scan configurations continuously - Implement infrastructure-as-code for consistency - Regular penetration testing - Document all cloud assets and permissions

3.3 Database & API Security

Databases store your most valuable data. APIs allow external systems to access it.

Database Security Hardening: - Restrict database access to application servers only - Disable unnecessary accounts and services - Enable query logging and monitoring - Use parameterized queries (prevent SQL injection) - Regular backups with encryption - Test restore procedures monthly

API Authentication & Authorization: - Use OAuth 2.0 or API keys (not basic auth) - Implement rate limiting to prevent abuse - Validate all input data - Return minimal error information (don't reveal system details) - Encrypt sensitive data in transit

SQL Injection Prevention (most common database attack): Instead of:

SELECT * FROM users WHERE email = '" + userInput + "'

Use parameterized queries:

SELECT * FROM users WHERE email = @email

Real-world example: InfluenceFlow's API requires OAuth 2.0 authentication and validates all campaign data before storing it in the database. This prevents attackers from injecting malicious code through campaign submissions.

4. Incident Response & Business Continuity

Despite your best efforts, security incidents happen. Preparation determines whether you recover in hours or lose months of business.

4.1 Incident Response Planning & Playbooks

Create an incident response plan with these components:

Incident Response Team Structure: - Incident Commander: Coordinates response, makes decisions - Security Lead: Investigates technical details - Communications Lead: Internal and external messaging - Compliance/Legal: Regulatory notification requirements - Operations Lead: Restoration and recovery

Response Playbook Example (ransomware): 1. Detection: Monitoring alerts show unusual encryption activity 2. Initial Response: Isolate affected systems immediately (unplug from network) 3. Investigation: Determine scope (which systems infected) 4. Communication: Internal notification to leadership and affected teams 5. Recovery: Restore from backups created before infection 6. Notification: Inform customers/regulators if data exposed 7. Post-Incident: Root cause analysis and prevention measures

Communication Protocols: - Establish secure communication channels (not affected by breach) - Define notification templates for customers and regulators - Create holding statements while investigation continues - Prepare executive summaries for leadership

4.2 Backup, Recovery & Disaster Recovery

The "3-2-1 Backup Rule": - 3 copies of data (original + 2 backups) - 2 different storage types (cloud + external drive) - 1 copy offsite (geographically separate location)

Backup frequency depends on acceptable data loss: - Critical systems: Hourly or continuous replication - Important systems: Daily backups - Non-critical systems: Weekly backups

Recovery testing (often overlooked): - Restore from backup monthly to verify it works - Test full system recovery, not just file recovery - Document recovery time and communicate to stakeholders - Update procedures based on testing results

Key metrics: - Recovery Time Objective (RTO): How quickly must systems be restored? (4 hours, 24 hours, etc.) - Recovery Point Objective (RPO): Maximum acceptable data loss? (1 hour of data, 1 day, etc.)

Example: A brand using InfluenceFlow might accept 24-hour RTO (can operate without access for one day) and 4-hour RPO (willing to lose up to 4 hours of campaign data).

4.3 Emerging Threat Response Protocols

AI-Driven & Ransomware Attacks (2025 realities): - Detection becomes harder; assume breach possible - Implement immutable backups (attackers can't delete them) - Air-gapped backups (isolated from network) - Zero-trust architecture limits lateral movement

Supply Chain Attack Response: 1. Identify compromised vendor/software 2. Immediately pause integration/access 3. Audit all data accessed by compromised system 4. Notify affected customers 5. Implement compensating controls while patch deployed

Data Breach Notification Requirements (varies by jurisdiction): - GDPR: 72 hours - CCPA: "Without unreasonable delay" - HIPAA: 60 days - State laws: Varies (30-90 days)

Create templates for customer and regulatory notifications in advance.

5. Compliance, Regulations & Audit Readiness

Regulatory compliance isn't optional—violations carry substantial fines and reputational damage. In 2025, this landscape continues expanding.

5.1 Key Compliance Frameworks for 2025

Industry-Specific Frameworks: - Healthcare: Beyond HIPAA—state laws, patient data protection acts - Fintech: Securities regulations, money laundering (AML) compliance - Retail/E-commerce: Consumer privacy, payment security (overlaps with CCPA, PCI DSS)

Real-world example: A brand's InfluenceFlow account storing creator payment information must comply with PCI DSS standards for payment data protection. InfluenceFlow handles encryption, but the brand remains accountable for access controls.

5.2 Regulatory Audit Preparation Guide

Pre-Audit Security Assessment Checklist: - Document all security controls implemented - Review access logs for the past 2 years (auditors often ask for this) - Verify encryption implementation - Confirm backup and recovery testing - Review incident response procedures

Documentation Required: - Security policies and procedures - Data classification inventory - Access control matrices (who has access to what) - Training records for employees - Incident logs and response documentation - Vendor security assessments - Encryption implementation details

Common Audit Findings & Remediation: - Missing access review documentation → Implement quarterly reviews; retroactively review past 2 years - Weak password policies → Update standards and enforce with technical controls - No audit logs → Enable logging immediately; explain any gaps - Unencrypted data → Implement encryption; document timeline - Insufficient backup testing → Conduct restore tests; document results

Build audit trail capabilities: - Log all administrative actions - Log all data access for sensitive information - Retain logs for compliance period (typically 3-7 years) - Implement SIEM (Security Information & Event Management) for log centralization

5.3 Data Privacy vs. Security: The Balance

Privacy and security are related but distinct in 2025:

• Security: Protects data from unauthorized access and theft
• Privacy: Ensures personal data is handled transparently and only for intended purposes

Privacy-by-Design Principles: 1. Collect minimum data necessary (data minimization) 2. Use data only for stated purposes 3. Provide transparency about data practices 4. Give individuals control over their data 5. Implement strong security by default

Consent Management: - Obtain explicit consent before collecting data - Provide clear privacy notices explaining data use - Allow easy withdrawal of consent - Document consent for audit purposes

For InfluenceFlow users: Creators must inform followers their data is stored; brands must explain how creator data is used in campaigns.

6. Employee Training, Culture & Change Management

Technology alone doesn't prevent breaches—people do. In 2025, insider threats (intentional or unintentional) cause 34% of data breaches (Verizon 2024 report).

6.1 Security Awareness Training Programs

Design effective training:

For Technical Staff (IT, developers): - Advanced threat vectors - Secure coding practices - Infrastructure security - Incident response procedures - Frequency: Quarterly minimum

For Non-Technical Staff (all employees): - Phishing recognition - Password management - Data handling procedures - Reporting procedures - Frequency: Annual minimum + ongoing reminders

Phishing Simulation Campaigns: - Send fake phishing emails monthly - Track open rates and click-through rates - Provide immediate training for those who click - Target high-risk departments (finance, executives, customer service) - Report metrics to leadership monthly

Effective metrics: - Initial click rate: Target <5% after 3 months training - Improvement rate: Should decrease 10-15% quarterly - Time to report: Target <2 hours average

Training Content Strategy: - Record scenario-based videos (15-20 minutes) - Use real internal examples (sanitized) - Gamify with security awareness competitions - Provide job-specific scenarios

6.2 Building Security Culture

Security culture means employees actively practice security, not just comply with policies.

Leadership Commitment: - CEO publicly supports security investments - Executive team receives same training as staff - Security considerations in business decisions - Budget dedicated to security improvements

Incentivize Secure Behavior: - Reward departments with zero phishing clicks - Recognize employees reporting suspicious activity - Include security metrics in performance reviews - Create security ambassadors with recognition

Psychological Safety for Reporting: - Establish "no blame" incident reporting - Protect reporters from retaliation - Celebrate lessons learned from mistakes - Communicate that reporting is valued

Example: When an InfluenceFlow user accidentally forwards a link containing campaign credentials, security culture means they immediately report it without fear, enabling quick password reset before compromise.

6.3 Remote & Hybrid Work Security

The 2025 workforce is increasingly distributed. Security challenges include:

• Unsecured home networks and WiFi
• Personal device use (BYOD)
• Phishing targeting remote workers
• Shadow IT (unauthorized apps)
• Time zone coverage gaps for incidents

Remote Work Security Essentials: - VPN Requirement: Always use company-provided VPN for work systems - Device Management: Mobile device management (MDM) enforces security standards - Network Segmentation: Separate work and personal networks - Multi-Monitor Awareness: Screen privacy filters prevent shoulder surfing - Secure Storage: Never store data on personal devices

BYOD Policies (if allowed): - Approve devices before use - Mandate encryption and PIN locks - Enforce app restrictions (no unauthorized apps) - Allow remote wipe if device lost - Separate personal and work data - Annual recertification of policy understanding

7. Third-Party Risk & Supply Chain Security

Your security is only as strong as your vendors. In 2025, third-party and supply chain breaches continue rising.

7.1 Vendor & Supplier Risk Management

Vendor Assessment Framework:

Before partnering with any vendor:

1. Security Questionnaire: 50+ questions about their security practices (use industry standard CAIQ)
2. SOC 2 Report: Verify they have Type II compliance audit
3. Insurance Verification: Ensure cyber liability insurance coverage
4. Reference Checks: Contact other customers about security practices
5. Contract Requirements: Define security obligations and breach notification

Contract Security Clauses: - Data protection and encryption requirements - Breach notification timeline (recommend 24-48 hours) - Right to audit their security - Data deletion upon contract termination - Subcontractor disclosure - Incident response cooperation requirements

Continuous Vendor Monitoring: - Quarterly risk assessments - Annual security reevaluation - Monitoring vendor security announcements - Tracking breach notifications - Maintaining inventory of data shared with vendor

Real-world example: When selecting payment processors or integrations for InfluenceFlow, vetting includes security questionnaires, SOC 2 verification, and contract requirements for payment data protection. This protects creator and brand data.

7.2 Managing Insider Threats

Types of Insider Threats: - Malicious: Intentional data theft or sabotage - Negligent: Unintentional data exposure (misconfiguration, phishing) - Accidental: Human error (sending to wrong recipient)

Insider Threat Detection: - Monitor unusual file access patterns - Alert on bulk downloads - Track after-hours access to sensitive systems - Monitor email forwarding rule changes - Track VPN access from unusual locations

Data Loss Prevention (DLP): - Scan outbound emails for sensitive data (credit cards, SSNs, PHI) - Block USB devices on endpoints - Monitor cloud storage uploads - Prevent printing of confidential documents - Quarantine suspicious transfers for review

User & Entity Behavior Analytics (UEBA): - Establish baseline behavior for each user - Detect anomalies (access patterns, data volumes) - Generate alerts for unusual activity - Enable rapid investigation

Offboarding Procedures: - Immediately disable system access on exit date - Collect company devices (laptops, phones, badges) - Transfer data ownership and access - Archive email for compliance - Remove from all vendor systems and VPNs

7.3 Supply Chain Attack Prevention

Software Supply Chain Security (SolarWinds lessons from 2020): - Verify software vendor security updates - Monitor for compromised dependencies - Use software composition analysis (SCA) tools - Test updates in non-production before deployment - Maintain inventory of all software versions

Dependency & Library Vulnerability Management: - Use tools like Dependabot or Snyk for continuous scanning - Update vulnerable libraries promptly - Monitor security advisories - Prioritize critical vulnerabilities - Document patching timeline

Development Pipeline Security: - Require code review before production deployment - Implement automated security testing (SAST/DAST) - Verify digital signatures on released software - Restrict production access - Maintain audit logs of all deployments

Third-Party API Security: - Require OAuth 2.0 authentication - Validate API responses - Monitor API usage patterns - Implement rate limiting - Verify vendor's API security practices

8. Measuring Security: Metrics, KPIs & ROI

What gets measured gets managed. In 2025, security metrics move beyond compliance checkboxes to demonstrate business value.

8.1 Security Metrics & KPIs Framework

Avoid vanity metrics (that make security look good but don't indicate effectiveness): - ❌ "Number of security incidents detected" (more detection might mean better visibility, not more breaches) - ❌ "Percentage of employees with security training" (training alone doesn't prevent breaches) - ✅ "Mean Time to Detect (MTTD) trending downward" - ✅ "Mean Time to Respond (MTTR) decreasing"

Meaningful Security KPIs:

8.2 Security ROI Calculation

Cost-Benefit Analysis Framework:

Security Investment Costs: - Software/tools: $50K-$200K/year - Personnel: $200K-$500K+/year (security team) - Training: $5K-$20K/year - Consulting/audit: $10K-$50K/year - Total: $265K-$770K/year (typical mid-market)

Benefits from Security Implementation: - Breach Prevention: Average breach costs $4.29 million (2024 IBM data). Preventing even one breach covers years of investment. - Compliance Cost Savings: Avoiding fines ($50K-$7.5M depending on framework) - Operational Efficiency: Better incident response reduces downtime costs - Reputation Protection: Avoiding customer churn from breaches - Insurance Premium Reduction: Strong security lowers cyber liability costs

ROI Calculation Example: - Annual investment: $500K - Prevented breach value: $4.29M (1 prevented breach) - Compliance fine avoidance: $250K - Total benefit: $4.54M - ROI: (4.54M - 500K) / 500K = 808% return

Communicating Security Value to Leadership: - Frame in business terms (cost avoidance, revenue protection) - Show industry benchmarks - Quantify risk reduction - Present ROI calculations - Update quarterly with progress metrics

8.3 Building Your Security Dashboard

Key Metrics to Track:

Real-time monitoring: - Active incidents and status - System uptime and availability - Security alerts (grouped by severity) - Current vulnerability count by severity

Trend analysis (monthly reporting): - MTTD and MTTR trends - Phishing simulation results - Patch compliance percentage - Access review completion - Incident volume and types

Executive summary (quarterly): - Risk posture change - Budget vs. spending - Compliance status - Major incidents/lessons learned - Recommendations for next quarter

Tools for continuous monitoring: - SIEM: Splunk, ELK Stack, Microsoft Sentinel - Vulnerability Management: Tenable Nessus, Qualys - Configuration Management: Rapid7 Insightvm - Dashboard: Kibana, Grafana, Tableau

9. Industry-Specific Security Considerations

Security requirements vary significantly by industry. Understanding your specific obligations is critical for compliance and effective protection.

9.1 Healthcare Security Requirements

Healthcare organizations handle protected health information (PHI) under HIPAA. Requirements include:

Technical Safeguards: - Encryption of all PHI (at rest and in transit) - Access controls with unique user IDs - Audit logging of all PHI access - Emergency access procedures - Integrity controls to detect tampering

Administrative Safeguards: - Security training for all staff (annual minimum) - Workforce security policies - Information access management - Security awareness and training - Sanction policies for violations

Physical Safeguards: - Facility access controls - Workstation use policies - Workstation security standards - Device security (phones, tablets, laptops)

Breach Notification: - Notify individuals within 60 days - Notify HHS and media if >500 individuals affected - Document notification efforts - Retain records for 6 years

Electronic Health Record (EHR) Security: - Encrypt connection between EHR and users - Verify user identity before access - Audit logs of all EHR access - Regular security updates - Disaster recovery testing

9.2 Financial Services & Fintech Security

Fintech and financial institutions handle payment information under PCI DSS and regulatory requirements.

PCI DSS (Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard): - Applies to anyone storing, processing, or transmitting credit card data - 12 main requirements, 6 categories of controls - Compliance levels based on transaction volume

Key Requirements: - Firewall configuration - Remove default passwords - Protect stored card data (encryption or tokenization) - Encrypt data in transit - Vulnerability assessment and patching - Access control and audit logging - Regular security testing

Transaction Security: - Real-time fraud detection - Velocity checks (suspicious transaction patterns) - Geographic velocity (impossible travel) - Multi-factor authentication for sensitive transactions

Example: InfluenceFlow processes creator payments requiring: - PCI DSS Level 1 compliance for payment processing - Encryption of all payment data - Regular penetration testing - Audit logging of all transactions - Quick incident response capabilities

Regulatory Reporting: - File Suspicious Activity Reports (SARs) for unusual transactions - Report security incidents to regulators - Maintain audit trails for examiners - Comply with BSA (Bank Secrecy Act) requirements

9.3 E-Commerce & Retail Security

E-commerce platforms handle customer payment and personal information.

Customer Data Protection: - Encryption of data in transit (HTTPS/TLS) - Secure storage of payment information - PCI DSS compliance for card data - Minimal retention of payment data - Secure deletion procedures

Payment Card Industry Compliance (covered above, but critical for e-commerce): - All payment data must be encrypted - No storage of CVV/CVC - Tokenization of card numbers for repeat charges - Secure transmission of payment data

Retail-Specific Threats (2025): - Point-of-sale (POS) malware targeting card readers - Card skimming attacks - Magecart attacks (malicious code on checkout pages) - E-skimming (malware stealing e-commerce credentials)

Marketing Data Security (relevant to InfluenceFlow users): - Collect minimal customer data for marketing - Obtain consent before email campaigns - Secure unsubscribe process - Protect campaign data from competitors - GDPR/CCPA compliance for personal data

10. Implementation Roadmap: From Today to Tomorrow

Theory is useful; execution matters. Here's how to implement security regardless of your organization's size.

10.1 90-Day Quick Start for SMBs

If you can dedicate minimal resources but need immediate impact:

Week 1-2: Establish Foundation - [ ] Create data classification framework - [ ] Conduct security maturity assessment - [ ] Establish incident response team - [ ] Document security governance roles

Week 3-4: Access Control - [ ] Implement MFA for all admin accounts - [ ] Create password manager for shared credentials - [ ] Audit