Importance of Data Compression
Data compression significantly impacts the amount of storage space a file needs. Because of this, data compression delivers many advantages:
- Reducing time required to transmit data between storage devices or networks
- Improving the efficiency of storage hardware
- Minimizing bandwidth usage
The use of compression techniques on data directly results in time and cost savings. Because compressed files use less storage capacity when compared to uncompressed files, their reduced sizes require less bandwidth and shorter times to transmit.
Since less data is accessed in filesystem reads and writes, compressed files also result in faster data access times and better overall system performance. Plus, with lower storage requirements, data compression allows for more efficient management and organization of large datasets.
When NOT to Use Compression
While nearly every type of file can be compressed, applying compression is not always required.
For instance, certain files may already exist in a compressed state, and applying additional layers of compression may not substantially impact file size. Files that are already small could increase in size due to the added metadata and headers required for compression.
Types of Data Compression
Data compression techniques are categorized into two primary types based on whether or not data loss is permitted: lossless or lossy compression.
Lossless Compression
Lossless compression is ideal when preserving data integrity is paramount, and is used for compressing:
- Text and documents
- Executable program files
- Source code
- Spreadsheets
Lossless compression is achieved by identifying and removing redundancies found in data, resulting in a smaller compression ratio.Because only unnecessary data is affected, no information is actually removed from the original when lossless compression is applied.
PNG images and the FLAC audio file format are both examples of lossless compression.
Lossy Compression
With lossy compression, file size is reduced by “losing” unnecessary information.
Redundant, unimportant, or imperceptible bits of data are removed from the original, which can reduce the quality of the compressed file while greatly lowering its size.
Lossy compression is often used to limit the size and complexity of multimedia files like:
With a higher compression ratio, lossy compression does have the side effect of degrading file quality.
The more compression applied, the greater the potential for degradation. MP3 audio files, JPEG images, and MP4 videos are examples of multimedia files using lossy compression.
Data Compression Use Cases
In organizations both large and small, data compression plays a role in reducing storage requirements and improving performance.
Common use cases include:
- Video Conferencing: Compressing real-time video feeds reduces bandwidth consumption, leading to lower latencies, improved quality, higher stability, and more fluid video calls.
- Backups and Archives: Backups ensure data redundancy and availability in case of system failures, but backing up large volumes of data can consume large amounts of storage space. Compressed backups and archives allow for more efficient use of resources.
- File System Compression: Microsoft’s NTFS file system, Apple’s APFS, and popular Linux file systems like btrfs and ZFS, all offer compression options to reduce the storage footprint of data and improve system performance.
- Streaming Audio: Audio encoded using compression codecs minimizes storage needs, and reduces bandwidth needed to stream audio to listeners, with a negligible impact on perceived quality.
- Satellite Communications: Satellite communications are limited in bandwidth availability. Compression of data transmitted over satellite links is needed to improve the efficiency of data collected by satellites and transmit it to Earth-based receiving stations.
Data Compression Security
Because compressed data is stored or transmitted over networks, it is vulnerable to:
- Unauthorized access
- Accidental leakage
- Interception by malicious actors
If data security is violated, resulting in sensitive info being accessed without authorization, the potential consequences include identity theft, a data breach, or loss of competitive advantage. Organizations must ensure that compressed data remains protected during transmission and while stored.
Two approaches to secure data are encryption and Data Loss Prevention (DLP).
Encryption
Sensitive data can be protected by applying encryption prior to compression, ensuring that even in the event of unauthorized access the data remains secure.
Encrypting data transforms it into an unreadable format called ciphertext, ensuring that only the parties with the appropriate decryption keys have access. Applying compression after encryption typically results in reduced compression ratios – as encrypted data lacks the redundancies exploited by compression algorithms.
Note: Compressing data prior to encryption can reduce the effectiveness of the encryption, and is not recommended if high security is a priority.
Data Loss Prevention
Compressed data can contain sensitive information, including intellectual property, source code, personally identifiable information (PII), or financial records.
DLP solutions can inspect compressed files to detect sensitive data, using pattern recognition and other techniques to identify potential matches. Upon detection, the solution can take a variety of actions, including staff notification, masking or redacting the data, forcing encryption, or quarantining/blocking transmission.
Secure Data with Check Point
Data compression optimizes file size, transmission, and system performance, leading to faster data access, lower bandwidth consumption, and more efficient usage of storage resources. Lossless compression ensures data integrity, while lossy compression enhances file size reduction with variable reductions in quality. Pairing data compression with appropriate security measures ensures sensitive information remains protected. To learn more about emerging threats to data security, download a copy of Check Point’s Cloud Security Report.
Check Point’s Quantum Data Loss Prevention solution ensures that sensitive information remains protected even when encrypted or compressed, preventing unauthorized access and data leaks. Quantum DLP offers advanced data type recognition, including fingerprinting data-at-rest, enabling organizations to confidently manage and secure compressed data.
Experience the power of Quantum DLP today by requesting a free demo and discover how Check Point’s data loss prevention solution protects valuable information assets.
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