Privacy is an important topic to consider when it comes to data. According to IBM’s Cost of a Data Breach 2021 report, 2021 saw the highest average cost of a data breach in 17 years, rising from $3.86 million in 2020 to $4.24 million.
Too often, we let companies collect and use our information without giving it much thought. Here are three ways you can start implementing privacy into your routine, so you can start feeling more in control of your data and its use.
What is Data Privacy?
Data privacy is the right of individuals to control the information that is collected about them. This includes the right to keep personal data private, the right to have data erased, and the right to unsubscribe from communications. If a person does not have access to their personal data, they cannot exercise their rights to privacy.
Educate Yourself About Data Privacy
The first step is to educate yourself about data privacy. There are a lot of complicated concepts involved, but by understanding what’s happening, you can start to make better decisions about how to protect yourself and your customers.
Familiarize Yourself with Data Breach Laws
There are a variety of laws that pertain to data privacy in the U.S., and each one has its own set of requirements and penalties.
The Federal Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) is the most comprehensive data privacy law in the world. It was passed in April 2018 as part of the EU’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). The GDPR applies to any company that processes the personal data of EU citizens, regardless of where that company is located.
To comply with the GDPR, companies must take several steps. First, they must determine whether their activities fall under the definition of processing.
Processing means using or handling personal data in a way that affects its accuracy, reliability, confidentiality, or integrity. Activities that generally fall under this category include collecting, storing, using, disclosing, transferring, archiving, blocking access to, or destroying personal data.
If your company engages in any of these activities, it must take steps to protect user data. Second, companies must create a Data Protection Officer (DPO) who will be responsible for ensuring compliance with the GDPR.
Implementing Data Privacy Into Your Routine
The unauthorized access of personal data can have serious consequences for individuals, including financial ruin, identity theft, and even physical harm. Many people are now realizing the importance of taking steps to protect their data privacy, and there are a number of ways to do this. Here are a couple of ways you can implement data privacy into your routine:
Keep Your Personal Data Safe
One of the most important things you can do to protect your data privacy is to keep it safe from unauthorized access. Protect your passwords, PINs, and other security measures by never sharing them with anyone. Additionally, be sure to keep copies of all your documents containing personal data in a secure location. If you ever experience any problems with your data or need to make a change to its protection, don’t hesitate to contact a professional services provider such as SafeLogic.
Stay Informed About Government Surveillance
Governments around the world are increasingly collecting information about their citizens. This information can include everything from your political beliefs to your private thoughts and activities. If you’re concerned about government surveillance and the implications it has for your data privacy, make sure you’
Data privacy is an important topic that we should all be taking seriously. By implementing some simple steps into our routine, we can help protect our data and keep it safe. Learn more about Data Privacy with Udacity’s soon-to-be-released Data Privacy Nanodegree.
